Maternity Photos are a beautiful way to celebrate the new life growing inside of you and a great way to document your changing body. Your child may love seeing pictures of you from when they were inside your belly and these memories will last a lifetime. But is it worth hiring a professional photographer? Why is it important to capture these moments? What can you expect from a Maternity Photo Shoot? I recently sat down with photographer Upma to ask her some questions about Maternity Photography. I hope reading this will help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.
Q&A with Professional Photographer Upma Sharma
Why Should I Take Maternity Photos?
Life is so special and giving birth to life is even more special. We as woman have that superpower where we can have a life within us, we give birth to that life and we see our children growing in the world. When moms carry babies it is that time in their life when they are creating this life within themselves and I feel it is a beautiful experience. I truly wish that every mother in this world would be pampered and celebrated every day of their life and especially when they’re expecting.
A photo shoot is just a way of preserving this memory for moms while they are carrying in such a special way, that they will remember this forever; this is how I felt, this is how I was pampered, and this is how I looked. To celebrate them and remember that celebration for rest of their life and for their children to see. Every mom should celebrate themselves and do a maternity photo shoot.
Is it Worth the Extra Time and Money to Hire a Professional Photographer for my Maternity Photos?
It’s about what works for you. When you go to a professional photographer, you will get the entire experience. They might have client wardrobe, they know the best locations, the best timing, the best poses, and how to edit your photos. A professional photographer will give you an experience that will make you remember that for life in a very special way.
There is not a problem in doing it yourself, with a friend or your spouse. Do what can work for you at that time of your life, but do it; preserve those memories.
When Should I Book with a Maternity Photographer and Around What Time in Pregnancy is the Best Time to do a Maternity Photo Shoot?
I recommend between 28 to 33 weeks is the best time to get your maternity session done because by this time your belly starts showing. As you progress beyond 33 weeks baby is gaining weight so the belly becomes bigger and moms are less comfortable, and are more tired in the in the last few weeks. Also, sometimes children can be delivered early so it is highly recommended to do it by 33 weeks. And most importantly I want you to enjoy your session. I want you to enjoy every bit of it and not remember that you were tired, but I want you to remember how amazing you looked and that beautiful location that you went to and these photos. That’s why 28 to 33 weeks is the perfect time!
Because you’re thinking of taking Maternity Photos at 28 weeks or so, try to book your photographer around when you’re 18 weeks to 20 weeks to make sure that you find a date that works perfectly for your schedule and your photographer’s schedule and so that you can plan the dress and every small detail.
What Should I Wear for my Maternity Session?
When you work with a professional photographer, they guide you through all of this. I actually have a beautiful collection of dresses for my moms-to-be so that they don’t have to worry about what they are wearing as they are changing size and shape. I have you come to my studio for a dress trial and I have a beautiful collection in a variety of styles: sleeveless, halter tops, full sleeves, long dresses and different colors. I have you come and try on the dresses that work for you so that when we meet during the day of session, you know exactly what you’re wearing and how amazing you’re going to look. I work with my moms-to-be on every single detail.
Is it Worth Getting my Hair and Make up Done Professionally for a Maternity Photo Shoot?
Absolutely worth it. Hair and make up can make such a beautiful difference. This is kind of like your wedding day, but this time it’s like your Baby Moon before your first baby arrives or your beautiful time with your little one or little ones before your next baby is born. This is a time to pamper yourself, look your best, wear the best dresses and capture those memories in the best way possible.
People have different preferences for makeup, like some want to stay more natural and some like fake lashes, so find a makeup artist that matches your style and vibe. I do provide a list of makeup artists for you to go through. Pamper yourself, celebrate yourself, get your hair and makeup done.
How do You Help People Feel Comfortable in Their Body if They Are Feeling Uncomfortable in the Moment?
We all kind of critique ourselves. I always encourage people to share anything that they feel about themselves so that I am aware and I will work with you in a way that shows the best of you. I help pose you, or pick out an outfit that helps you feel confident. It is about you, I am here for you. I’m here to serve you and I want you to let me know what you love about yourself and what you don’t. I will take care of those things for you in a way that you are in love with yourself.
Can I Include My Partner or Other Members of My Family?
Absolutely! Bring it on and get the party started! I feel our husbands or significant others are such an important part of our life. Have them with you, and your children if this is not your first child, please bring them. I want to see them truly being present with you before your baby comes in to the world, this is their time to be truly with you. If you have a pet, bring them into the photo shoot! I will give you tips on how we can manage and plan around them, but they are part of your life. The people and pets in your life, they make your life special and I want you to have these beautiful moments with your people and yourself in the best possible.
Where do Your Photo Shoots Take Place?
We could do a session at my studio, an intimate session at your home or we could do an outdoor session. There are a bunch of outdoor locations that I am in love with. I am very grateful to be in the San Francisco Bay Area where there a lot of locations and we get mostly sunny days. There are three categories of outdoor locations: a beach, a hill or a garden. You choose which one of them works for you.
I ask you questions about where you are located, how far you want to travel and what kind of photos you are looking for so that we can pick a location that’s right for you. I share my galleries of my past work at the chosen location so that you get to see how the results look, and then you say what works the best for you.
What Time of Day is Best for a Maternity Shoot?
My outside shoots I like to do at sunset, so we figure that out based on the sunset time that day. If you are doing a studio or in home session, then there is more flexibility.
How Many Photos Will I Receive From a Maternity Photo Shoot?
I have different packages and it starts from 10 digital images to 25 to 50 and more. It completely depends on you whatever you want, I am here to serve you.
Do You Offer a Photo Release?
Yes, I give you permission to use these photos for your personal purpose. We sign a contract that has all of those details. You can print these photos from my professional lab, post them on your personal social media. If you plan to use the photos for a monetized purpose, it’s good to know and we can talk about that during the process.
What is the Process from Contacting You to Receiving My Photos?
I can be contacted either through my website, Instagram or Google. Then we schedule a phone call or zoom call to understand your vision for your session. I want to make sure that what you have in mind is something that I can serve. Once we decide that it seems like it’s a good fit then I request a deposit to book my time. Then I have you come to my studio for a dress trial so that you can see my beautiful collection and see what works the best for you. Then we finalize all the details like where we are going to meet, the location and time, ideas for what your husband or the significant other can wear; I give you input and inspirations.
Then we meet on the day of the session and we have a lot of fun. My biggest goal is to capture the love and connection in your life with your little one that’s inside your belly and with the people around you.
Once the session is done, I share a gallery of these amazing photos with you that you get to go through. You choose based on what you love, and then I edit the photos and I send the digital gallery to you. I highly recommend getting these photos printed out and up on your wall, and printing an album so that you can truly see your pictures and enjoy them on a daily basis. From start to finish I make sure that every step of the way I’m there for you.
What are All the Different Services that You Provide?
I am a portrait photographer. I specialize in maternity photography and newborn photography. I also provide family photo sessions so that you continue celebrating your family as they grow. I am also a headshot photographer and a wedding photographer, I love all of that.
It is important to ask the maternity photographer you work with if they offer newborn photography as well, because that’s a great way to know exactly who you’re visiting with your little one. There are no surprises at that time, because you already are adjusting to having a little one and you’re trying to figure out your new schedule and your new life so having a photographer that you have worked with before helps a lot. I have my studio where I do newborn photography or I’m happy to do newborn photography in the comfort of your home.
What is Your Favorite Part of Your Job?
It’s actually the photo session. When I see you feeling the most special, in love with the people around you and truly being present. When I see you enjoying yourself and your life, and I have the opportunity to capture your love and joy in my camera, and give it to you to be cherished for your life and for your children’s life, there is no bigger joy in for me. Everything else that I said I do, I do it because of this one piece.
I am happiest when you are happy. Actually that’s the purpose of my life, to bring happiness to the people around me. To spread love and joy in this world is the purpose of my life. Every time I meet a family, you are fulfilling my purpose of life and I am so thankful for that.
Upma Sharma is a Bay Area based Professional Photographer that Specializes in Family, Newborn and Maternity photography. She is a mother of 8 year old twin boys that fill her world and heart with joy!
An engineer by education, she worked in tech for over a decade, and found that her core values are happiness, love and family. This is exactly why she pursued her dream to create and spread happiness and love through her photography.
The moments filled with laughs, giggles and love are the most treasured ones in life. She has been honored to have her work published in magazines like Forbes, CIO today and to have received awards. She can’t wait to meet you and capture memories to be cherished forever.
Check out her work or contact her here:
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