Scheduling a maternity session with a local Alaskan photographer offers expecting mothers the opportunity to capture all the beauty, emotion, and anticipation of pregnancy. These nine months are anything but easy, but they are memories to be celebrated, cherished, and shared with future generations. Amid the whirlwind of appointments, nursery decorating, morning sickness, and car seat shopping, the maternity session is a time for you. As a professional maternity photographer, my job is to highlight the strength and grace of each mama, helping you feel pampered and adored, and creating beautiful artwork of this new chapter of your life.

As part of my photography services, I offer complimentary Maternity Sessions when booking a Petite or Portrait Newborn Session. This is a complimentary service that I’ve offered for several years and I absolutely love how accessible it makes maternity photography for my Alaskan mamas. And by giving us the opportunity to meet beforehand, get you comfortable in front of the camera, try on outfits and styles, and the chance to really warm up, it has the added benefit of making our newborn sessions even more wonderful!

Even though I provide everything in-Studio, from snacks to wardrobe, mamas still ask if there is anything that they can do to help prepare for the session ahead of time. With that in mind, I prepared a list of my top tips for maternity sessions; little things together can make a big impact in your session and keep you comfortable and radiant for the big day.

TIPS FOR MATERNITY SESSIONS:

• stay well hydrated leading up to the session (bonus: keeps swelling to a minimum)
  
• get a manicure beforehand as we’ll be doing close-up shots of your hands. Happy to provide the excuse for some well-deserved pampering!
  
• use eye de-puffing cream or masks/patches to help hide any sleepless night and I’ll take care of the rest
  
• take a little extra time doing your hair in a favorite flattering style and applying fresh-&-glowing makeup. Paying attention to those details can help you feel beautiful and empowered for your session. Or treat yourself to a blowout & makeup artist!
  
• remember to care for your lips during the colder months by applying chapstick frequently and nip those dry lips in the bud
  
• don’t forget to eat a small snack before the session so you don’t get hangry or light-headed (and if eating lunch beforehand, don’t eat too large of a meal to avoid feeling bloated). I’ll have extra snacks and drinks at the studio, too.
  
• wear neutral or flesh-toned undergarments in anticipation of choosing from the studio wardrobe as many of our gowns are thinner or have sheer elements.
  
• even if your feet aren’t in the photos, consider wearing heels to get extra lift *ahem* where needed. But if you’d rather do the session in comfy slippers, that is a-okay, too!
  
• speaking of lift, a good, supportive bra is essential to help define your growing bump
  
• and perhaps most importantly, don’t wait too long to schedule your maternity session. We recommend 25wk-32wk when you feel full of confidence and energy and can easily find an outfit that you love (and don’t have to worry about swollen ankles just yet).