Preparing for Photos

MATERNITY SESSION GUIDE

WELCOME

A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE

I’m so excited to be working with you and I can’t wait for our time together! It’s normal to be a little nervous about your session. I always tell people that I still get nervous before having photos taken – and I do this for a living!

There is a lot to think about when it comes to planning a maternity session and since I get asked the same things over and over again, I thought it would be beneficial to put together a guide that walks you through everything you need to know.

I’ll cover what to wear, how to best prepare, location ideas and more!

WARMLY, KATELYN

find your way around

Select locations more locations timing wardrobe Siblings Pets Quick Tips

Select Locations

OPTIONS FOR MATERNITY ADD-ONs and milestone SESSIONS

arizona desert

Papago park

It’s no secret that the desert is a favorite of mine. I love the soft colors at sunset and cactus always makes me smile! Papago Park is located in Central Phoenix and is a gorgeous choice for photos!

gilbert

RIPARIAN PRESERVE

If you’re after a greener feel for your photos, the Gilbert Riparian Preserve in the East Valley is a wonderful option!

More Locations

FOR 1 HOUR SESSIONS (ANY OF THE ABOVE PLUS THE FOLLOWING)

south phoenix

south mountain

Classic desert location with sweeping mountain views and saguaros. One of my favorite spors for its gorgeous tones.

gilbert

Farm at agritopia

If you’re after a greener feel for your photos, the Farm at Agritopia in the East Valley is beautiful!

mesa

ROSE GARDEN

This unique location is SO beautiful, but only blooms during certain times of the year! Be sure to ask if the timing is right, if you’re interested.

north scottsdale

mcdowell mountain

The desert in all of its beauty at this Scottsdale location! There are a few different spots to choose from depending on evening or morning sessions.

east mesa

salt river

Desert meets water at this gorgeous oasis. Especially lovely during the summer where it’s a little cooler near the River.

cave creek

Jewel of the creek preserve

Greenery meets desert at this special spot! This is one of my favorite spots to shoot, if you’re up for the drive!

timing & lighting

is there a “good” time to take photos?

I like to schedule maternity sessions between 26-32 weeks of pregnancy, so your bump is well-defined but you still feel good for photos.

Full maternity sessions typically last about an hour and add-on maternity sessions last 30 minutes. I love to begin sessions near sunset, as I prefer to shoot when the sun is lower in the sky to avoid harsh shadows and bright sun patches. The first hour after sunrise is also an ideal time to shoot during the warmer months.

I schedule sessions during what I believe will be the best light of the day depending on the location – which means that it’s super important to be on time. If you’re late to an evening session, we could run out of light before we’ve finished shooting and if your session takes place in the morning, the sun gets more harsh as it rises.

NOTE IF YOU HAVE OLDER BABIES/TODDLERS: Sometimes the ideal time for lighting and taking photos interrupts bedtime for your littles, if this is the case, I recommend trying to push their last nap back a bit so they can stay up a bit later in the evening! The glowy light will be worth it, trust me!

WARDROBE STYLING

for every member of the family

Checklist for everyone:

“Complement” rather than “match” your outfits
It can be a great idea to choose “color-families,” such as pastels or jewel tones.
While large patterns are lovely, small patterns might photograph too busy
Aim to mix clothing textures for visual interest

FOR MOM

It’s important that you look and feel your best for your maternity session. I have found that most mamas love wearing a long dress to accentuate their growing bump. You can dress it up or opt for a beautiful sun dress if that’s more your style. Soft colors typically photograph best: think creams, pinks, soft blues & greens, and greys. Pops of jewel tones can also be really pretty depending on the location.

If your shoes will show with your dress, heels are the way to go! They may not be the most fun while you’re sporting your bump, but you’ll thank me for how great they photograph!

I always recommend getting your hair & makeup professionally done for photos. A professional makeup artist knows just how to make your natural beauty shine through for the camera!

FOR DAD

Dad looks best in a nice fitting pair of dark jeans, chinos, or khakis. I recommend wearing a button up shirt, henley, sweater, or fitted t-shirt with dress shoes.

It’s best to choose Mom’s dress first, and then choose complementary colors for Dad’s outfit. If Mom is wearing a more bold color like blue, Dad can complement with a soft cream or white top, for example.

Lastly, tying the look together with a nice watch is a great way to add visual interest!

FOR THE LITTLES

After Mom & Dad’s outfits have been determined… you can choose outfits for your kiddos! Keep in mind the time of year when choosing outfits- we don’t want Little Ones frustrated from being too hot or cold during photos.

Girls can wear a dress or romper that coordinates with Mom and Dad’s outfits. Consider adding tights or leggings if it will be cold out.

Boys should wear different bottoms than Dad. So if Dad is in dark denim, boys can wear khakis or chinos and vise versa. Similarly, a button up shirt or henley style will make your Little One look so handsome!

Layers are a great way to add visual interest. Consider a cardigan or vest for your kiddos’ outfits. Bows and headbands also add great visual interest for little girls’ outfits.

A NOTE ON LITTLES…

Your child is getting a new brother or sister and now a stranger is holding a big camera in front of their face. That can feel like a lot! They’re likely not going to entirely be themselves. They may show off more than usual or your extrovert may suddenly become shy.

Rest assured, it’s all okay. It’s all expected.

If you can, talk to them about our session in the days leading up to it. Let them know Miss Katelyn is going to take photos. You can even show them a picture of me if you want! Tell them about where we’ll be doing photos and show them some examples of what the area looks like if you can (from this guide)!

And then, let it go!

I’m serious! Don’t worry about the outcome. Don’t worry about making your toddler interested in photos. The best thing you can do for your kids is to let it go and let me do my thing! Go with the flow and stay positive. The more you relax and have fun with things, the more likely your little ones will do the same.

It can also be helpful to have a few special treats for younger children. Snacks or special toys that we bring out as they start to lose interest can do the trick!

I’m incredibly patient with kids and have tons of tricks up my sleeve to help them cooperate. Please please please, don’t worry about getting them to smile or even making them participate the entire time. I promise, we will get amazing photos if we trust the process and don’t force them.

PETS

My dog is a huge part of my family, which is why I love when families choose to incorporate pets into their session. Keep in mind that bringing a pet along often means that we’ll need to choose a pet friendly location.

I recommend planning for your pet to be at the first part of your session and then having a friend dog-sit or take them home. We won’t use the pet in every single photo so it’s also nice to have a friend available to hold him or her in between shots.

If you’re going to bring a pet, we recommend exercising your pet before the session and bringing your pets favorite toy or treats. A lint-roller can also help keep your clothes looking fresh!

QUICK TIPS

NO. 1

Bring some water and something to snack on if your session will be in warmer weather! It’s so important to stay hydrated and to have something to snack on in case you feel dizzy.

QUICK TIPS

NO. 2

If you plan to wear heels or wedges, consider bringing a pair of flip flops to wear while walking from location to location. Pack them in a small bag with your snack and water to make things extra convenient.

QUICK TIPS

NO. 3

Prepare for the weather! Bring a little bit of extra touch-up makeup if your session will take place during warmer months, and bring a light jacket or cardigan to wear between photos if it will be cold out!

ANY QUESTIONS?

DON’T HESITATE TO REACH OUT

I know this guide covered a lot! If you have any specific questions it didn’t cover, please don’t hesitate to shoot me an email! I would love to help however I can. You can even send me some photos of the outfits you’re considering if you’d like my input. I can’t wait to have you guys in front of my camera! See you soon!