Preparing for Your Maternity Experience | Sarah Kane Photography
/Preparing for Your Maternity Experience | Sarah Kane Photography
What should I wear?
Make sure to wear something formed fitting to really accentuate your belly. Believe it or not, many women don't look pregnant on camera if they aren't wearing the right clothes!
I would avoid busy patterns as they can be distracting. Solid colors work great! If you have fair skin avoid white or really light colors they could wash out your skin and create unwanted highlights.
If you have pets make sure your clothes are free from hair. My camera will pick everything up!
What should my husband wear?
It's cool to coordinate colors, but try not to be too "matchy". Don't wear the exact same colors as each other. A nice combination is to have Mama wear mostly solid colors and Dad wear a patterned shirt like plaid or stripes. Ultimately though these are your pictures, so wear whatever makes you and Dad happy!
Makeup
If you don't typically wear a lot of makeup I wouldn't go overboard for your pictures. Somethings you should considering wearing though is mascara. It makes a huge difference!! If you really want to go all out false lashes work wonders. If you want the look of false lashes with mascara my favorite is Moonstruck 3D lashes by Unique or anything with micro fibers. It's like wearing false lashes without the expense and hassle.
Next make sure to wear a foundation or powder. I would bring powder with you if possible incase the heat starts to give you shiny look.
Considering wearing lip gloss or lipstick. Again, if you don't normally wear lipstick, don't, but do wear a clear lip gloss. Also try and make sure your lips are not dry or chapped on the day of your session. You can help prevent this by applying a good amount of Vaseline every night at bed at least a week before your shoot and drink lots of water.
Hair
Mom If you tend to have frizzy hair like me use an anti frizz spray or gel and a good amount of hair spray to keep things in place!
Make sure Dad has had a trim within 2 weeks of your session! You don't want a hairy neck line showing up in your pictures!
Finger Nails
It is likely that your finger nails will make it into some pictures, so make sure they are trimmed and free from chipped nail polish. This goes for Dad too, make sure his nails are clean and trimmed!
What should I bring?
Bring along your ultra sound picture (the black and white, not 3D). If you have any cute shoes for the baby you'd like to include bring those too! You may also want to bring a blanket coordinated with your outfit to sit on the ground, but not necessary!
Also, if you plan to wear a cute pair of shoes that aren't ideal for walking bring a comfortable pair along to change into. You'll be happy you did as we walk through the park!
Preparing Siblings
I'm guessing your biggest worry may be that your children are going to embarrass you and do everything but cooperate. Don't worry you're not alone, but please stop stressing! The good news is you're pictures are going to be amazing! The bad news is, you're children most likely aren't going to cooperate, so just come to terms with that now. Let go of any expectations you have of your children sitting still, looking right into the camera and giving their best smile! The harder you push for this the less likely they are to comply. I used to be a teacher and have two wild boys of my own. I've seen it all! Don't try and force your kids into smiling, this will only create more resistance. Just relax and let them be kids.
LET THEM KNOW I'M IN CHARGE
Most kids are more likely to listen to their teachers then their parents. I remember asking my son's daycare how they handle his tantrums and she looked at me like I was crazy and told me he's an angel with them! What!?!
The first 5-10 minutes of our session will consist of me building a rapport with your children. I know it can be very difficult to resist disciplining, but if your kids know they are entering "my classroom" they tend to be more willing to follow "my rules". Having taught children for 12 years I have a lot of experience in this area! Talk to your kids about this before your session and then remind them again right before you get out of the car.
VERY IMPORTANT!
During posed pictures let me worry about getting them to look at the camera. Parents often try to get their children to smile by making funny faces or pointing to the camera, and in the end when your child finally looks right at the camera with a big smile, both parents are looking away or making a really silly face. Also, I find with my own children, when someone else (other than me) asks for something they are more willing to oblige. No matter what face your child makes, it will be real and true, that's what you want to remember when they are all grown up!