The Art of Pregnancy Photography (8 page)

PERSPECTIVE

To create the dramatic perspective, try photographing the subject from several angles. The simplest change is to shoot from a lower camera angle. Once you have the mother in a lying position, drop the camera down to right above her head level. Take care to arrange her body in a flattering pose, with knees slightly bent, hands on the body, and head at a tilt. Looking through the viewfinder, make sure lines of the body lead the viewer’s gaze from the left side of the image, to and across the graceful lines of the subject’s body, and to the other side of the frame.

You can also consider creating an image from above the subject. When the mother or couple is sitting down, stand directly above her or use a ladder to get a fresh perspective. This viewpoint can slim the subject and make her midriff the focal point of the shot. Adding dramatic lighting from a single source so that the light cascades down the side of the subject can create a calm, quiet mood in the image.

You can also capture an image that shows the mother’s perspective. By standing behind her and photographing over her shoulder, you can capture her hands—or the couple’s hands if you’re photographing the mom and dad—around the tummy.

CORRECTIVE TECHNIQUES

Every once in a while you will need to photograph a mother who has gained more weight than she would have liked. To flatter the subject’s face, select a pose and camera perspective that allows her to lift her head and push her chin very slightly forward. Capturing the image from above will also help to downplay the double chin and give her a regal look.

Here the unusual angle, from the top of the mother down, creates an interesting and artistic perspective in the image.

As many pregnant women put on weight, they become increasingly self-conscious about the size of their upper arms and thighs. To ensure a slimmer presentation, have your subject position her upper arms slightly away from her body, not pressing against her side. Providing a little space between the knees will visually slim the thighs.

Consider using fabrics to hide or reduce the apparent width of the arm or legs. Remember that while tulle is perfect for hiding imperfections, it should not be used to completely cover the subject’s skin.

The lines of the mother’s and daughter’s bodies form undulating lines that draw your eye across the image frame.

For a very dramatic image, move to a nontraditional position. Here, capturing the image from above, plus having the mother’s face follow the line of her body, created an unexpected image.

Lighting your overweight subject from one side will visually slim the body and face, as the eye will be drawn to the well-illuminated areas of her form and will not linger on the shadow areas.

POSING COUPLES

Photographing the mother and dad together is one of the most rewarding aspects of creating maternity portraits. The couple’s joy, love, and anticipation is intoxicating—especially with the first child. The portrait session allows you to capture an artistic representation of their love and union.

There are actually several ways to effectively pose the couple. You might start by having the mother standing, and simply have the father wrap his arms around her from behind. The camera angle can be from the front or side. This pose will work best if the father is taller than the mother. For a traditional look, have the father stand beside the mother, with one arm around her back and the other hand placed on her belly and meeting her hand.

You can also take the opportunity to create artfully styled images of the couple lying down. There are many advantages to selecting a lying pose. This position is more comfortable for the mother, of course, but it can be relaxing to the father as well. Many fathers are not initially agreeable to being photographed. Once you get the couple to lie down together, the father usually relaxes a great deal and takes direction well. In this pose, it is easy for the father to wrap himself around the mother. In this position, the dad illustrates his role of protector and supporter of the mother and child. He can place his hands on her tummy, and if he’s feeling a little camera shy, he can nestle his head next to the mother’s with his eyes closed. A heavier subject can lift his chin to reduce the “double chin” look.

An image of the father and the tummy beautifully illustrates the emotional connection the father has with the baby.

Note the way that placing father’s hands on the mother’s tummy creates a connection between the couple and emphasizes his connection with his child, as well.

In this sweet image of the father kissing the mother’s tummy, the story is about the baby and dad, and the mother becomes the “prop” or accessory to the image. This image was simple to light, with a large sliding glass door in the couple’s dining room area. Notice the position of the couple’s hands, touching in a loving way. The physical connection is important to the overall feeling of the image.

If you are photographing a man and woman who are not comfortable with the idea of lying down, you can use a seated pose to depict the feeling of shared intimacy. Start with the mother seated, with her knees turned at an angle to the camera. Next, have the father sit behind and slightly to the side of the mother, with his knees apart so that she can nestle into him. Be sure that the mom is not blocking the father’s face. Have dad wrap his arms around the mother and gently place his hands on her belly, arms, or hands. While the seating pose can work in a pinch, it allows for less variety than does a lying pose.

START WITH THE OUTFITS

Warm up the mother and especially the father by first creating simple portraits of the clients wearing clothes they selected for the session. As they become more comfortable, move slowly into more creative shots using fabrics and props.

An embracing couple is a wonderful way to tell the story of the anticipation the parents have for the arriving baby. Here the father is taking on the role of protector with his arms around the mother and hands on her tummy.