This was my first maternity session in about 2 years. I was a little nervous, especially when she told me she wanted her hubby in some, I fumble when I have to direct more than one person. She's got a great nursery for baby portraits, so I'm excited to go back. I think overall the session went well, like to hear what you think, especially from any veteran maternity photographers. There's a sample from almost every scenerio we did...












(I feel like something is "missing" from this picture...what PS-ing would you do to this?)

I really like the last shot. You could bring the blacks/shadows down in curves to create a silhoutte and maybe try and blowout or clone out the window so it is solid.

The light through the dress is awesome!

Great job!

Those are sweet - love #4.

The last one is my favorite although I really like #2 as well! I am certainly no veteran (I've only done 1 maternity session), but I did notice one thing from my session that grabs me from yours as well. I think I prefer having the mom's body at at an angle or profile no matter what their body frame. While I like the color, posing, light of the head-on shots, I might have not known she was pregnant. I hope that comes off as the compliment I mean it to be....I wish I looked like my normal body frame from head-on when I was pregnant!

Great job!

I like 1, 4, and 5. 5 being the favorite because of the couple's expression, they look so happy and in love.

I think the last one is your best shot. You can really see the shape of her belly and in the other ones not so much. The shot with the green top is probably my least favorite. If I saw the shot by itself I may not notice she was pregnant, and that might not be a compilment. It is really easy to photograph a thin pregnant woman that is all belly but not everybody is like that and the women that are a little larger, still beautiful, are a little harder to photograph and you want to make them look their best.
I think some of her tops did not flatter her very well and some shots from above may have been good. She is a very beautiful woman.

I do agree with shooting straight on, I didnt really realize it so much until it was pointed out (because I obviously know shes preggo!). Thankfully the only ones I really do have straight on are those ones! I am really interested in maternity and infant portrait so I do appreciate any ctritiquing (and compliments!).

OMG, Shelby, I LOVE the concept of the last one. Her form through that thin sundress looks like that of a goddess. I agree that it's missing something, but it's sooooo close!!

No.s 4&5 couldn't be cuter!!

I agree with Joy- I think angles and silhouettes work really well. You may want more form fitting tops to pronounce the belly or loose fitting ones like the last shot. The last one is the best.

I would try to avoid head on, avoid shooting from below unless you are focusing on the belly and your getting some really cool angle- shooting from above makes them appear thinner

The black shirt hides her belly- it could be the crop too

I love their expressions in #5 but the top of her dress is not very flattering

good natural light, great expressions LOVE the last shot!

Shelby,

I think you did a wonderful job! Especially since you haven't shot a maternity session for a long time.

I'm not a veteran, I've only shot about five maternity sessions but I can tell you some of the tips that I've learned so far. First, is that I've found that when your subject wears black the belly looks much smaller and sometimes at some angles you can't tell they are pregnant. Your first photo is cute but the belly would have been more noticable if she was wearing a lighter color. I've found that solid white is a great color in maternity photos, especially tight fitting white tanks.
I also agree with what the others are saying about the angles. I tried the straight on pose with a woman who was wearing black and you totally could not tell at all that she was pregnant. It was a good thing I realized that from chimping. I had her change her top right away and I switched up the angle.
I love the last shot and the one of her laughing (that wall is a great color).
I'm sure that she and her hubby will love these photos!

I can't wait to see the pictures of the baby!

oh you did such a great gob! I love the last one.

I actually can't take full credit for the last shot, she told me "i really want a sillouette type shot and I have this dress...". I was actually kind of iffy about it while editing because, I had to add the glow to kind of blow out and blur whats outside the window (a street and other not so pretty things). I never use glow because I think it looks cheesey sometimes, but I'm glad I did it tastefully

Oh and if you think they look cute in that last shot you gotta see the rest. In every one they are kissing, laughing or canoodleing. so cute

Great job, and like the others, I especially love the last shot. What do you think about cropping out the curtain on the left. It just seems like since that's where the light is coming from the darker curtain throws it off maybe.

You did a fantastic job.

-Jess

i think you did a wonderful job. i love love love the belly shot.