6 reasons why you should have a maternity shoot

Why a maternity shoot isn’t just about the photos

For some expectant mothers, a maternity shoot is a must-have pregnancy experience. One of the first things on their minds as soon as they see those two clear blue lines. But for others, having photos taken is at the bottom of an increasingly uncomfortable to-do list. So during some of the busiest, most uncomfortable months of your life, why should you have a maternity shoot?

Well as a maternity photographer in Leicestershire, I know I may be a little biassed. But booking yourself in for a maternity shoot is an unmissable right of passage. An uplifting experience to be savoured and enjoyed. A bonding experience with your partner, an excuse to pamper yourself and get dressed up. And time set aside to relax, take it all in and celebrate your miraculous, life-giving body.

And after all that, you’ll be left with photos that capture this fleeting, miraculous chapter in your lives for you to look back on and cherish for decades to come. There really is no downside. But in case you’re still on the fence, here’s 6 reasons why you should have a maternity shoot.

1. Enjoy and celebrate the pregnancy period

It may not feel like it after another uncomfortable night’s sleep, or the fourth trip to the bathroom in a morning. But pregnancy goes by so fast. You’re constantly thinking about the baby, what they’ll look like, how they’ll sleep. And you’re so excited to meet your child that you almost wish your pregnancy away. Your mind is forever rooted in the future. And when you’re always thinking about tomorrow, you can sometimes forget to appreciate today.

But whether it’s your first child or your fifth, in a few months’ time your lives will change forever. And having a maternity shoot is a great way to bring yourself into the present and celebrate the now. To appreciate your life as it is right now, before your new life begins.

2. Celebrate the miracle of life

I’ve met so many couples who book a maternity shoot with me to celebrate successful IVF. And after years of crushed hopes and invasive doctors appointments, to finally have the baby they’ve always dreamed of is the answer to untold prayers. And while everybody’s journey into parenthood is different, every pregnancy is a miracle that deserves to be shouted from the rooftops.

Your incredible body is working overtime to create this perfect little baby. A tiny human that’s made up of lots of little bits of both of you. When you sit and think about it, it really is amazing. And isn’t that worth celebrating?!

3. A maternity shoot is a great bonding experience with your partner

There’s no two ways about it, pregnancy is a very one-sided thing. And while your partner may be dutifully running around grabbing you chocolate, rubbing your feet and making you endless jacket potatoes, they’re still very much on the outside looking in. And most partners yearn to be more involved.

A maternity shoot is a great bonding experience for you and your partner that brings them in and makes them feel part of the pregnancy journey. You get to be tender and intimate as a couple, caress the bump, kiss, cuddle, and celebrate this new life you’ve created together.

As much as men often hate having their photo taken, I’ve never met a father who didn’t want to be part of a maternity shoot. And that alone speaks volumes.

4. Embrace and celebrate your body

So many of the expectant mothers I’ve spoken to have been nervous about their maternity shoot because they feel self-conscious about how they look. But you should know, you are beautiful.

Ignore the Instagram mums with their impossibly slim bodies and picture-perfect bumps. And feel free to turn the air blue next time someone thinks they’re being funny by saying how big you are and asking if you’re having twins. Your body is doing something incredible. You’re growing a tiny human inside you, and all your organs are moving around inside you to make space! It’s absolutely bloody incredible! And no matter how huge and uncomfortable you may feel, you are a living, breathing, walking, talking miracle. And miracles are beautiful.

So let’s show off your bump and celebrate your motherhood. Because I promise you, once your baby is here, you will look at the photos and love every inch of the body that created your child.

5. A maternity shoot is your time to pamper yourself and relax

Preparing to have a new baby enter your life is an all-consuming, mammoth task. Sometimes we forget to change out of our pyjamas all day. Let’s face it, sometimes we forget to shower.

Having a maternity shoot is the perfect excuse to pamper yourself. So go get a manicure, get your hair done, put makeup on, buy yourself some nice new clothes that show off that bump and just enjoy the experience of it all. And when you’ve been feeling uncomfortable and clammy for months, getting yourself all dressed up and feeling beautiful can do wonders for your mood.

My maternity shoots are as much about the experience as they are about the photos. Whether we have an in-home session, an outdoor shoot or a shoot in my little haven of a studio, I always make sure it’s as relaxing and comfortable as possible for you. Because I want you to look forward to this little period of blissful calm. Knowing that for a few hours at least, you can forget the pressure of preparing for the baby, and just have some time to take it all in and enjoy being pregnant.

6. The photos will mean the world to you

Photographs have a certain magic to them, giving us the chance to relive memories that would’ve otherwise been long forgotten. And while you may feel uncomfortable, exhausted, and desperate to just get the baby out, you won’t ever want to forget this. The nine months when your body changed way beyond anything you thought possible, and brought a unique new life into the world.

I know I said a maternity shoot is all about the experience, and for the most part it is. But photos offer us a window into the past. And as much as you might take the present for granted, one day it’ll mean the world to you and your children.

In thirty or forty years time, your family will have countless photos. Baby photos, first days of school, Christmases, birthdays, family holidays. Leaving for university in their first car, their wedding and hopefully one day, your grandchildren. These family photos will tell an amazing story of how your tiny baby grew into an adult, and carried your family into the future. And your maternity shoot will be the very first page.

If you’d like to book yourself in for a maternity shoot in Leicestershire or the surrounding areas, I’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch today to check my availability and let’s chat.