What to Expect During Your Maternity Session
Hello! And happy August! I hope you are all having a wonderful and cool summer so far, and are ready to welcome the cool crisp autumn like I am! No? Maybe I am jumping the gun here but I am READY for fall. It’s been a hot and dry summer this year and I always feel like the first few weeks of rainfall offer a cleansing wash that is so needed for our beautiful state. Others might think I am crazy but it’s definitely a Washington thing to miss the very same thing that sometimes causes us seasonal depression…(stockholm syndrome much LOL).
I am here today of course to talk about the infamous maternity session. Here we are, planning your maternity session or maybe you are just curious, thinking to yourself “Am I cut out to be as fierce as these mamas on her IG page? Am I the right size, will the gowns be too small or too big?” The answer to this is: Everyone, no matter the shape, size, phase in their pregnancy, or experience in a professional session is worthy of a couture maternity photoshoot. This moment in a woman’s life is fleeting, and so so so precious. It deserves to be celebrated in artwork and experiences. So, let's dive into the process of how my sessions go!
First, comes the consultation. Once you fill out a booking form, myself or a member from my team will reach out to you to discuss your dream session. What colors you like, a backdrop that has you drooling, or that gorgeous dress or silk chiffon that you’ve had your eyes on. Whatever your wish is, I will be sure to bring that dream into reality. Once you have booked, your session is held and then the next step is finding a professional hair and makeup artist, which I recommend for every mama planning to be in front of the camera. I do have a preferred artist who I work with and is available to travel to the studio on the day of your session to pamper you to the fullest extent and make you feel like the goddess you are.
Next, let’s chat about what you can do to prepare yourself and/or the rest of your family for your upcoming date! Some of the most common questions: what should my partner wear? What about my other children? And myself?? This one is a great question which is somewhat open ended. I always recommend bringing two outfits with you, one light and one dark themed. Dark wash denim jeans and black slacks are great options for men, and V necks, button ups (PLEASE IRON THEM), or other semi formal wear is encouraged. The same goes for other children as they should be just as stunning as their mama. Girls older than 10 may even fit in my other couture gowns and I should have more girl sizes in stock soon, so stay tuned. A soft cream dress for girls, a dark navy blue button up for boys is always a great combo. I encourage bare feet for sessions, so footwear is not exactly necessary but if you choose to do so, a brand new pair of dress shoes for everyone is encouraged. For moms, I suggest bringing a nude bra and underwear set that fits, that is not too tight or too loose and stay away from nursing bras if you can for just this session. Some of my gowns do have built-in cups as well to support the girls while you are flaunting that beautiful belly! Almost all of my gowns are OSFM, which means they can be altered to fit just about everyone! I love this because every mama should feel their best on this special occasion. Other things you can do to prepare at home is practice posing in the mirror to get yourself comfortable with the idea of holding a pose for a few seconds. See how you smile or the best fierce look that you can give the mirror to really get into the mood for our session together. I suggest getting a mani pedi before your session as well, because this should be just as important as some of the other milestones in your life like prom day, your wedding day, etc.
It’s the day of your session. You may have some pre session jitters, or just full on excited for the magic we are about to create. I ask that you arrive at your session about 10-15 minutes early to make sure we have everything ready to go before shooting or beginning hair and makeup. Once you are glammed up, we will dive right in. I have a posing flow that I like to go through with each dress/backdrop to get a wide range of poses and facial expressions. We will play with fans, lighting, dress throwing, and of course I invite spouses to join as well. I will shoot any special requests (like the hanging tulle) and I am ALWAYS pro nude shots as you can tell by my Instagram page. I think the woman's body is absolutely incredible, and capturing that on camera in a tasteful way is the highest form of art to me! However, don’t feel like you have to get nakey just to have a wonderful session. I am here to tailor to what YOU are dreaming of and my ultimate goal is to make that dream a reality. In full, a maternity session with family poses typically takes 1-2 hours without hair and makeup. The experience is fun, and I strive to make it an easygoing and relaxing time in the studio with lots of breaks for water, snacks, and chatting.
Once we finish your session I will invite you to look around the studio at the many options I have for products, prints, and more. I will explain the reveal process which is about 1-2 weeks after your session and go over any questions you may have. And that’s it! You’ve completed your maternity session with me and you rocked it! I can’t wait to share your gallery with you, and help you choose your favorite Images to showcase in your home.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and I am looking forward to our journey together to capture these memories of your growing family forever.
- Karli Braaten
