My Dark and Moody Fall Maternity Shoot: How to Choose Your Maternity Looks and Shoot Location

Maternity shoots are some of the most special moments captured, as both a photographer and the subject. But with such a special moment to plan for, how do you choose what to wear during your maternity shoot and your maternity shoot location? Being a photographer I’m often asked how to choose your maternity looks and the perfect shoot location. With this question in mind I wanted to share how I chose my dark and moody Fall maternity looks and shoot location.

This time last year I was just days away from giving birth to our daughter. I didn’t do a maternity shoot with our son so I really wanted to go outside my comfort zone and be on the other side of the camera lens for once to capture this special time in life. I wished there were more resources out there during the pregnancy with my son on how to choose your maternity looks and shoot location. So this time around with my daughter I made it happen. I booked my favorite photographer, did some research for maternity looks inspirations on Pinterest and decided on a location that fit the dark and moody Fall mood I was aiming for.

How to Choose Your Maternity Looks

Choosing the right maternity looks for your shoot can feel intimidating, but if you focus on what makes you feel beautiful and trust your photographer I promise you will love the end results. When you feel comfortable in what you’re wearing you will feel more comfortable in front of the camera, and trust me almost no one feels comfortable in front of the camera 100% of the time. Focusing on the moment and the reason for the shoot rather than perfecting the outcome of the photos helps tremendously during the time of shooting your maternity photos. Remember, you are growing a tiny human inside your incredibly strong and beautiful body, and that in itself is something remarkable worth capturing.

Ask your photographer if you can bring a few options to wear during the photoshoot. For my maternity shoot, I brought with me something more form fitting to highlight those bump curves and a more loose-fitting outfit for soft, flowy photographable moments. You don’t always have to buy maternity clothes either. None of my maternity looks for this shoot were technically maternity. Finding all-things-stretchy, over-sized and flowy can be such good options to wear during and after pregnancy.

Choosing Your Maternity Photo Shoot Location

Unless you have something very specific in mind, my best advice here is to let your photographer pick your shoot location. As a photographer, I love choosing the location based on the time of year and reason for the photo shoot. Choosing a location can be a huge part of the story telling aspect and mood for the outcome of the photos. For this maternity shoot I knew I wanted something outdoors that offered a sense of peace and serenity. I was so happy to be pregnant again with our daughter I wanted those feelings to be represented throughout the photo shoot. If you have any inspiration photos share those with your photographer to give them an idea when choosing a location.

If you’re able to, embrace the weather! I know a lot of planning and prepping has gone into your shoot, but some of the prettiest photo shoots have happened in the less than desirable elements outside. During my time outside for this maternity shoot it was pretty chilly and started to rain. I walked barefoot in the grass and embraced the rain drops for one of my favorite moments in the maternity shoot.

My biggest advice would be to HAVE FUN! Enjoy being photographed as best you can because this moment is so special and worth capturing. You won’t regret the time it took when planning, prepping and choosing your look when you see the final results through photo. Speaking from experience, I felt YUGE when taking these photos but I’m so glad I did them because I will have them forever as a memory on one of my most cherished seasons of life.

Lemons to Love,

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