Introduction
pregnancy pictures• About the Guide
pregnancy picturesThe Basics
pregnancy photography• How to Prepare

Maternity Posing Tips
maternity photography guide• Posture
Pregnancy photography• Best Foot Forward
belly pics• The Crossover

Pregnancy photography• Finding a Pose I
belly pics• Finding a Pose II
belly pics• Placement of Hands

Maternity Posing Ideas
pregnancy• The Cradled Belly
maternity• The Proud Mom
belly pics• The Seated Triangle
Pregnancy tips• Just the Belly
Pregnancy photography• The Hands of Love
Pregnancy photography• Over the Belly
Pregnancy tips• Peek-a-boo
Couples:
Pregnancy tips• Face to Face
Pregnancy photography• The Kiss
Pregnancy tips• Prom Gone Wrong

Pregnancy photography

Nude and Semi-Nude
nude maternity photography• The Pregnant Nude
nude maternity photography• Coverage I
nude pregnancy portraits• Coverage II
nude pregnancy portraits• Nude Poses
nude pregnancy portraits• The Art Nude
nude pregnancy portraits• Lighting

Framing & Composition
Pregnancy photography• Framing
belly pics• Composition
maternity portraits• Line & Form
maternity portraits• Style & Tone

5 Common Problems with Maternity Portraits
maternity posing ideas• Backdrop Trouble
maternity posing ideas• On Camera Flash
belly pics• Harsh Lighting
maternity portraits• Unflattering Wardrobe
maternity portraits• Overprocessing

 

Katsoulis Photography of Boston

This guide is brought to you by Katsoulis Photography of Massachusetts. Gregory Katsoulis has been creating professional maternity portraits for nearly 10 years.

If you are looking for more ideas, please visit my online gallery of maternity photography, showcasing some of my best work.

If you find this guide helpful, please drop us a line and share your best pictures! guide@momphoto.com

The Proud Belly

Professional Pregnancy PortraitsProfessional Pregnancy Portraits

In some ways, this is the easiest of poses and certainly an obvious choice. Once your subject is feeling comfortable, it is mostly a matter of having her show off her belly. It is so simple you might wonder why it isn't first on the list. I've put it second because it works better if you transition from the cradled belly to this pose. These two poses have much in common, but they are not the same.

Professional Pregnancy PortraitsProfessional Pregnancy Portraits

While you do not need to restrict yourself to an order for these poses, this one should work better after the cradled belly — after you taken a few photos and the mom-to-be is feeling more comfortable in front of the camera and you have found a rhythm.

Professional Pregnancy PortraitsProfessional Pregnancy Portraits

You want the mom to feel more confident and relaxed because her expression is very important to this pose. If the mom looks happy, or thoughtful, or self-concious , that is what the photo will be about.

Professional Pregnancy PortraitsProfessional Pregnancy Portraits

This pose is easier to do in a 3/4 view than in a strict profile. This is because the mom is showing her belly to the camera and thus is interacting with the viewer in the photo. If her belly is at a perpendicular angle to the camera, the interaction is transferred entirely to the face. However, a strict profile of the belly is definitely worthwhile. It is a great way for the mom-to-be to show off her pregnancy and is a traditional way do demonstrate how she is carrying.

A more dynamic posture tends to work best with this pose and it can be exaggerated for effect.

Professional Pregnancy PortraitsProfessional Pregnancy PortraitsProfessional Pregnancy Portraits

As with the "Cradled Belly" pose, the placement of hands may be used to help minimize or hide any unwanted bulges in the mid to lower back. The placement of the mom-to-be's hands can help to get a more flattering pose.

Professional Pregnancy PortraitsProfessional Pregnancy Portraits

Depending on the confidence and comfort level of your subject, she may face a little bit a away from the camera and twist back. This, however, is not a pose that works for all moms-to-be.

Professional Pregnancy PortraitsProfessional Pregnancy Portraits

This photo has a very different focus and meaning than the photos above. If your subject is the rare mom-to-be who is "all belly" and she has expressed that she wants to show that off, you can use this pose to transition to a I-don't-look-pregnant-from-behind photo.

N E X T