A Celebrity Maternity Photographer Reveals All That Goes Behind Capturing Priceless Memories

Glammin' the Bump

Glamour often translates to beauty and confidence, something we never fail to capture in all our maternity shoots. And fashion maternity portraits elevate this notion, taking pregnancy and motherhood a step further—where moms proudly (and fashionably) flaunt their bumps. So we monopolise on the fact that there aren't any set restrictions in this genre of photography. We visualise set-ups that aren't too far from reality, yet exude a touch of glam."

'In Fashion'

"Our 'fashion-inspired' maternity portraits are a fresh and glamorous take on the quintessential yet cliched approach to pregnancy photography. We play around with lighting, shadows, colours, costumes and everything else that screams fashion!"

"There are no boundaries in fashion photography and this edgy style had to be infused in my maternity portraits—in a way that's not too far from reality, yet speaks all things glam. Such imagery never fails to grab our attention. So I began fashion-inspired maternity portraits because I didn't want the bump to be the sole center of focus. I wanted it to be more about appreciating mothers who carry their pregnancy with utmost pride, courage and elegance. I wanted the glamorous divas in pregnant bodies to unleash."

It's All About the Experience

"Make sure to finish all similar poses and set-ups at once, before moving on to the next, to keep the mom's movement minimal. More importantly, keep in mind that expectant mothers aren't seasoned models, so you cannot expect them to be able to replicate a pose exactly or immediately! When you plan, take into account the time they might take to get the pose right, and ways in which you can break it down for them."

Kick-starting the Process

"The pre-consultation session with the client is paramount. You need to check in with them regarding how they'd like to be photographed, and the setups they aren't comfortable experimenting with. Contemporary clients know exactly what they want and we do our best to bring their vision to life."

"While pregnancy glow is a real thing, it's important to check in with expectant mothers whether they are feeling as radiant as they look. Since some trimesters can be more challenging than others, it's essential to check in each and every step of the way, and accordingly making time for mini-breaks."

Living In the Time of a Global Pandemic

"Newborn photography inherently requires following a ton of safety measures, taking into consideration the feeble being. And, the same applies to maternity and child photography. Expressions—not just the client's, but also ours—are key in building rapport during a shoot. Especially when working with children, we indulge in several games to break the ice, such as 'peek a boo', in which we make use of our funny expressions to elicit smiles. All of this has taken a turn for the worse, due to having to wear masks in the pandemic era. But all said and done, it's only a matter of time before we adapt to the new normal."

Lifestyle Images: A Forever Trend

"Timeless clicks that will never go out of trend, lifestyle photographs are my go-to. They require a minimal, no-prop setup, and one is able to capture raw emotions with very little effort. We let them be in the moment with their family and then freeze those naturally elicited feelings. Every lifestyle image has a story that is rich in memories, emotions and value, with a personal touch."

Making Memories at Home

"If you're shooting glimpses of your motherhood in the comfort of your home, try to avoid the complexity by introducing fancy props. Rather, make use of the opportunity to capture some lifestyle images in the very home your little one is going to grow up! The best way to go about doing this is to play around with light—find the best spot in your house, one that has an abundance of natural sunlight pouring in. If you stand against the light, you will create a beautiful silhouette image. Alternatively, stand at a 45 degree angle to the light, giving way to a stunning image with sidelight."

Times Are a-Changin

"In today's day, an increasing number of women are discarding dated notions about keeping their pregnancy under wraps. Instead, they choose to revel the changes their bodies are going through, and desire to be photographed in full bloom of their pregnancy."

Embracing Femininity and Celebrating Pregnancy

"Millennial moms are increasingly opting for fashion maternity portraits, which proudly celebrate femininity and pregnancy—synonymous with grace, courage, beauty and power. We, photographers, go in sync with their vibe and opt for bolder shades and loud silhouettes to showcase a different dimension and outlook towards this biological wonder."

Mastering the Art of Capturing Raw Emotions

"Maternity photography is essentially a session for two—the known and the unknown. One has to capture the raw emotions of a mother, who is experiencing the blissful journey of motherhood. She has unconditional love oozing out of her heart for a human being that she is yet to meet, and capturing this magical moment is all that makes this genre of photography unlike any other."

"Maternity photography is about capturing a miracle that's in the making. It's about reproducing the phenomenal changes a mother is going through—both emotional and physical—through images. And I take it upon myself to bring out the beauty in the pain and showcase it in the most graceful way possible; helping them spell out this moment where they're transitioning from a woman to a mother—courageously and powerfully."