Maternity sessions in my Castle Rock studio have such a dreamy vibe! I make it as easy on you and your family as possible. My client closet is included for your family’s use. It’s filled with beautiful clothing for mama, babies and children, and even a few basics for dads! Let me walk you through the process of how to prepare for your maternity photos with Photography by Alyssum.
I’ve designed these studio photo sessions to have a styled-life approach to maternity, newborn, and baby photography. I want you to walk into my home studio and feel like I’ve taken the coziest pieces of lifestyle portraiture and stitched it with beautiful lighting, textures, and comfort.
Booking your maternity photos
The first step of the process is to schedule the date for your session. I love to target when you’re 32-36 weeks along. Your bump has rounded out at this time, but any pregnancy discomfort is typically manageable. With a session in the studio, you don’t have to worry about hiking around for your photos, so your session is comfortable and cozy!
To reserve your date on my calendar, you’ll sign and submit the photography agreement with your 50% retainer. The balance is due the day of your session.
Wardrobe prep for maternity photos
Once you sign your contract, you’ll receive an automated email to help start preparing your wardrobe for your maternity photos. I know your body has been growing and changing on a daily basis, so I keep a large collection of dress sizes available that are maternity and postpartum friendly. I catalogue everything through my service Style & Select so you are able to see a picture of all of the dresses available to you. You’ll notice a lot of whites and creams, and everything has lovely texture to add dimension if you love the white-on-white aesthetic. I also keep dresses in other neutral Earth tones.
Wardrobe fitting
You have the ability to pre-select the dresses you’d like to wear for your maternity photos so I have these ready for you to try on when you arrive at your photo session. You are also able to schedule a 20 minute fitting before your session to make sure there are dresses here you’re comfortable with wearing.
Most busy mamas just choose to try on their options the day of the session. If you know you are especially particular about look and fit, I encourage you to schedule the fitting appointment to meet me in person and ease any pre-session anxiety.
Undergarments
Please plan to bring neutral or skin-toned undergarments in a few styles (ie lace bralette, strapless, pasties etc.) so you are able to wear any of my wardrobe pieces.
Maternity Shopping
You’ll also see fantastic recommendations on the Style & Select site if you’d prefer to go the route of purchasing your own wardrobe for your maternity photos. One click will take you directly to the online retailer to buy something that catches your eye. I am also more than happy to send over some buying recommendations in your size and preferred colors to help you pick things that will coordinate well with my studio aesthetic.
Partners and kids
I love including all immediate family in your maternity photos! The session is mostly about the expecting mama, but your family’s love is an important part of the story.
Males look great in a pair of well-fitting khakis with a plain grey, tan, white, or oatmeal t-shirt or a button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up and untucked. I do have several henley tees here for dads as backup. Generally avoid wrist watches on both parents as they can distract from the final image. Please remember to take keys and phones out of pockets.
I have a closet of options for young children up to about 8 years old, or please feel free to bring your own. Boys are easy with a simple tee and brown or rust khaki bottoms or overalls and girls look great in a dress in white, cream, or earthy tones. Please avoid any clothing with logos, designs, or neon colors.
What to expect at your maternity session
When you arrive, we’ll look over your clothing options and piece together a cohesive look for all family members. We’ll cycle through a look or two for mama during our time together.
Please let me know if you’d prefer not to include more intimate images. This can be anything from just bare belly with everything else covered, or a bra and below-belly skirt, or a crop top with just panties. The levels of coverage are completely customizable and I’m happy to discuss what’s right for you and how you’d like to remember your pregnancy.
My editing process includes smoothing out the less enjoyable aspects of pregnancy such as stretch marks and dimples unless otherwise requested.
If your family is included in the images, please prepare them for lots of snuggling and touching. I always work up to the more uncovered and intimate looks once we’ve all gotten more comfortable with each other, as I completely understand that photos can be a new experience for lots of people.
After the maternity session
Once our session is complete, I have the pleasure of selecting my very favorite images from the session to provide you with your proof gallery. You’ll select the images you’d like to include in your final gallery, and you always have the option to add on more to your package.
I will edit each of those beautiful images for your collection in the following two to three weeks after you’ve made your selections. Once you receive your images, you are welcome to print them the through the lab of your choice or order directly from my pro lab within your gallery for your convenience. All of my favorite products with the absolute best quality will be available to you.
Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions about how to prepare for your maternity photos. I can’t wait to capture this special time in your lives!
xo, Alyssum
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALYSSUM, LLC, IS A NEWBORN, BABY, MATERNITY, AND FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER LOCATED IN CASTLE ROCK, CO, AND IS CURRENTLY SERVING DOUGLAS COUNTY, JEFFERSON COUNTY, ARAPAHOE COUNTY, CASTLE ROCK, LARKSPUR, HIGHLANDS RANCH, LITTLETON, CENTENNIAL, DENVER, AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. CONTACT TO SCHEDULE YOUR SESSION.
