a black woman on a maternity photography photoshoot sititng on a cube in white underwear

Stop existing | Start being

Maternity Preparation Guide

“As long as you show up, it’s going to be AMAZING! That’s it. That’s all you have to do. I’ve got the rest. Can’t wait to see you!”

–  Siorna Ashby

Before your Maternity Photoshoot

This is a guide to help prepare you for your maternity experience! It's a 12-minute read.

These are my top tips and frequently asked questions from clients.

Grab a cup of non-caffeinated tea and get started!

a pregnant woman, nude with her legs in the air on a London maternity photoshoot
A couples maternity photography studio photoshoot kissing and cuddling

Basic Must Haves

Hydrate

Make sure you drink enough water at least three days before your photoshoot. A little and often is best. I recommend staying hydrated before your maternity photo shoot because I’ve found that drinking water makes me feel less tired and improves my mood. Your maternity photo shoot is a special event and I want you to feel good from the inside out!

Moisturise

Be sure to moisturise twice a day for three days leading up to your shoot. Your skin will feel great to the touch and it will look great on camera. Don't forget to moisturise any areas that are dry for you like elbows.

Luscious Lips

In the days leading up to your photoshoot keep your lips soft and luscious.

I recommend applying a moisturising lip balm on repeat as dry lips can be difficult to edit in post-production.

I use Dr. Paw Paw. It's a magical all round wonder balm that keeps my lips soft all year round.

My clients have strongly recommended Weleda lip balm, or La Roche-Posay alongside lip scrubs like Loxitan or Kiko.

My super low cost top tip to avoid dry lips is to use your toothbrush! Simply make a few passes over your lips when you brush your teeth every day. This will help shed dead skin. After that, apply a moisturising lip balm...repeat repeat repeat.

Pamper those Nails

Use this as an opportunity to pamper yourself. Go a few days before your shoot and get a manicure and pedicure! This will give you a finished, polished look. Chipped polish can be distracting.

If you don't have time or a pedicure is not your thing, remove any varnish from your finger and toenails for a clean look. Beautiful!

Music Recommendations

Music will help you get into the zone!! Make your own playlist for the mood you want.

I have a Bluetooth speaker at the studio to stream your tunes or share your playlist on Spotify. I also have a pretty kickass set of photoshoot playlists.

a black woman on a london maternity photography photoshoot wearing a veil
a black woman with jewellery and light silhouette on a London maternity photography photoshoot

Wardrobe

The options are limitless, and your choice often comes down to the style and emotion you want to convey.

Let’s dive into my top 4 recommendations, which we’ll tailor to you during our style consult.

Flowy and Flattering Fabrics

Your favourite maxi dress or fabrics like chiffon will highlight the baby bump and create an elegant soft look. You are welcome to explore my studio's collection of chiffon pieces during your photoshoot.

Solid Colours or Simple Patterns

will keep the focus solely on you and the baby. For a modern edge, consider unzipped jeans paired with a sleek black crop top – a contemporary ensemble that effortlessly captures the essence of your style.

Timeless Elegance

A well-fitted, elegant black dress or a tailored coat can add a timeless touch. We’re looking to maximise your comfort with stretchy adjustable clothes with lots of movement.

Light Silhouette

If you like my silhouette looks, I always recommend a skin-coloured or black thong. This ensures a seamless look in editing, creating elegant lines along the body, while preserving your comfort throughout the photoshoot. Metallic bracelets or earrings work well reflecting the light while adding a touch of personality to your shot.

During our style consult, we’ll delve deeper into these suggestions, tailoring your maternity wardrobe to encapsulate the passion, warmth, and individuality that make this journey uniquely yours.

a woman with blonde hair draped in silk on a London maternity photography photoshoot

Common misconceptions

I Need a New Hairstyle or Colour

Now isn’t the time to experiment with a whole new look. Chances are you might not feel like yourself with a new style combined with such an empowering experience.

My Spots will be in the Photos

Yeah, it happens. Spots suck. I retouch blemishes and bruises with ease on every photo you see. No problem. No stress. Let that spot try its hardest to ruin your day, but your photos will not be a permanent reminder of it.

The 3 things I hear the most

a pregnant woman wearing black against a white background with blonde hair

Let Me Support You Here

I Don't Know How to Pose

Pose anxiety is the easy one to answer. You don’t have to know how to pose. Not even a little bit. I will walk you through every step of the way. I will get into the poses myself and have you mirror me. I'll gently redirect you if we didn’t get it right on the first try. It’s not your job to take amazing photos, it’s mine. And I’m passionate about taking amazing photos.

I'm Not Photogenic

I hear this a lot. I’ve heard it a lot from myself. We really mean that we’ve had bad experiences with people taking pictures of us. You don’t have to love every single one of your photos, but you will love most of them. And you will be shocked that you could love photos of yourself this much. Together we will rock your photo session and I will get a whole selection of beautiful images of you. If you come into the shoot with an open mind we’ll get extra. And extra is always good. I’ve never met a person who I couldn’t capture beautifully. That includes you.

I Don't Like [insert body part]

Body issues are something I have battled with for years. I still battle with them on most days, so I understand that many people struggle with self-love no matter how much I tell them they are beautiful.

People wish they would have lost a few more pounds before their session and if that is you, I can assure you, I’ve got you on this.

The majority of the people that come in to see me are working on loving themselves, but struggle. They don’t approve of the size of their thighs, their belly, or their dimples. I take your feelings very seriously and never want to make anyone uncomfortable.

While this is a body-positive studio, I will also light and pose you in the most flattering possible way while I shoot you from the best possible angles.

On the day of your Maternity Photoshoot

Your day is here!

Plan for traffic and slow tubes

Nothing puts a damper on a fun and relaxing photo shoot like feeling rushed or late! You should plan for traffic and arrive about 5 minutes before your scheduled start time. If you're running late, give me a text and stay calm.

Wear loose clothing

Make sure to wear loose-fitting clothing and comfy shoes on your way to the location to reduce any clotheslines, especially around your bump. It will keep you relaxed too. Careful of those socks marks on your ankles.

Lean into the experience

Celebrate your experience! I won’t make you do anything that is going to make you look bad. I’ve been photographing for a while and the most common feedback I get is that people feel comfortable during their photoshoots. This is so important to me.

I hope you can consciously lean into the experience and have fun.

After your Maternity Photoshoot

London portrait photo of a pregnant woman in a yellow robe with fine art lighting

What happens next?

At the End of the Shoot

I will help you pack your things and we’ll get you scheduled for your photo reveal appointment so you know exactly when you’ll be seeing your images.

Photo Reveal

Within 2 weeks of your shoot, you will have your photo reveal appointment with me over Zoom so that you can see all of your proofs and order anything you’d like. You should be prepared to place your full order on the day of your photo reveal and ordering appointment.

Tips for the Photo Reveal

At your reveal appointment relax on the couch with a beverage while I show a slide show of your images from your session before diving into viewing your entire collection of at least 20 images. Here you can let me know which images you want to keep for your order. You can ask for any additional touch-ups during your reveal. I know you’re going to love your images, and these reveal appointments are so much fun. I can’t wait to share your photos with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

a pregnant woman, nude on a london maternity photoshoot

What editing and retouching happens?

My editing philosophy is to help you look like you on your best possible day! Photo editing is a conversation, and you can let me know your preferences. These are your photographs and you’re in charge.

These are the things that I will usually edit:

  • Light levels
  • Correct skin tone colour
  • Correct makeup
  • Remove stray hairs
  • Neaten and smooth clothing
  • Change to black and white

Unless you ask me otherwise, I will also remove the following:

  • Bruises
  • Spots

I leave moles and scars unless you tell me otherwise.

The top 5 things I most frequently get asked to tweak are:

  • Add volume to my hair
  • Slim my arms
  • Slim my waist
  • Smooth my skin
  • Reduce or remove my wrinkle lines
a black woman in white lingerie on a London maternity photography photoshoot

Do you share my photographs online and on social media?

Not without consent. I take your privacy very seriously. All the images you see on my website or social media have the expressed written permission of the client. Some of my clients like to share their images to inspire and empower others to do a boudoir photoshoot session as well, others save the images for themselves. Whatever you decide, I will honour your decision!

Can I print my photographs from the digital photographs I purchase?

Of course! You have personal printing rights for the images you purchase and can print those files on your own. I deliver a special print version of each photograph you purchase.

That being said, I would urge you to consider purchasing through me if you want the best product quality and long-term value. I use the best photo labs in the industry, and if you were to see the difference between my labs and Snappy Snaps, you’d be shocked by the difference. While it is completely optional, I would say if you’ve taken the time and care to book me, you’ll love seeing your custom art in high-quality prints.

How long do you keep the photographs I don't buy?

After 3 months, if you haven't been in touch I will delete the photographs you did not purchase from my hard drives and backup services. I always send a few emails before I delete anything, so you'll know this is happening. I keep photographs you do buy indefinitely in case you need additional copies.

Final thoughts

A black and white image of a woman on a maternity photoshoot.

Be Kind to Yourself

This is the big one! I’ve spent most of my life being mean to myself. I know how easy it is. One of the main motivations for a maternity session is to spend time finding a newfound appreciation for you. :) Being gentle with yourself will go a long way in having a fabulous and upbeat experience! However, if you want to discuss the thing that bothers you the most about your body, just let me know by saying “I love my ___, but my biggest insecurity is my ___”.

A Maternity Photoshoot is a Milestone!

I don’t expect every person to be 100% ready for this. Together, we will create something special and unique for you. My aim is always to support you on your journey to appreciate and love yourself. These photographs will be a lasting reminder in the years to come of how truly wonderful you are.

See You Soon!

If you have any questions send me an email. I'm here for you.