Introducing the MOLLY Dress (/See video below)
This beauty was custom ordered for Molly’s maternity photo shoot (hence the name), and now lives in the studio as part of the wardrobe collection. Who is going to wear it next? Details below:
• blush color
• soft tulle fabric
• sleeves can be off the shoulder or with regular shoulder
• corset back
• one size fits all
• hand made in Europe
The Molly dress in action
If you’re reading this article, you’re probably looking for a maternity photographer or are wondering how maternity sessions work in general. I get a lot of questions from clients so I’d like to go over the ones that come up all the time and hope that this helps you decide when and with whom you want to do your photo shoot with.
Heck yes! As a matter of fact, my first 7 years of my career in photography was dedicated to maternity and family photography only. I started 16 years ago in Europe, where I’m from and all I was shooting for was baby bumps, newborns and families back then. Here is a little gallery of my early maternity work. Trends in Europe are different and it was very popular back then to photograph pregnant women in lingerie and high heels. :)
When I moved to the United States, I switched my focus to working with adults only so I kept maternity portraits among the services I offer, but I am no longer focusing on newborns and babies.
I’ve always been fascinated with the female experience and how a woman’s body changes when carrying a baby and until this day, it’s one of my favorite subjects to photograph. I find pregnant women very beautiful!
There is no exact time that will be applicable for everybody, but in general the start of your third trimester, somewhere within the 30-36 weeks window is a very ideal time for a maternity photoshoot. You can schedule your photos sooner, if you are happy with the size of your bump. I want you to feel comfortable and make it as easy on you, as it is possible, therefore, I do not recommend pushing this till the very end of the pregnancy. Babies sometimes arrive a little early and I wouldn’t want you to miss out on the belly photos. Another risk by pushing it out too far can be discomfort, swelling or having less energy due to lack of sleep as the belly grows.
Yes, I do have my own private studio in Costa Mesa, California. The studio is specifically made for portrait photography, it is a safe and clean environment with easy access and free parking. Take a look inside the studio here:
I'm available to travel to locations in Southern California and beyond. For traveling requests, please reach out to me through my contact form for details.
Another topic we need to talk about is the outfits.
In my studio wardrobe, I have a selection of beautiful gowns along with fabrics and sheer materials specifically for maternity sessions. We wrap and clip these fabrics around your body, creating the illusion of elegant dresses in your photos. My personal style is timeless, emphasizes class, simplicity, and clean lines, focusing on showcasing you, your form, and the beautiful connection with your growing baby. I avoid busy wallpapers, furniture, and excessive props in my work.
If there are specific clothing items you'd like to incorporate into your photos, such as jeans or button-down shirts, please bring them along. We'll discuss these details during your consultation as we plan out the exact looks for your session.
I truly believe that it all comes down to your personal taste and vision of how you want to be photographed while being pregnant. This leads me immediately to the next topic that is super important to discuss and I think sometimes people overlook this part:
It is a SUCH AN IMPORTANT QUESTION. I believe that with every other type of personal services out there, the photographer and client should have a certain connection or chemistry if you want to create truly beautiful images. If you hire a photographer, whose work does not reflect what you’re looking for, you will most likely to be dissatisfied. I highly recommend that you check out the photographer’s website, specifically their maternity work, and see if their work fits into your vision. If you don’t see maternity work or what you see is not what you had in mind, move on to the next one. There are so many photographers out there, you will find the right person for you. Sometimes I get approached by people with requests that are clearly way different from my style and I’m always wondering why would they even want to work with me if they haven’t see that type of work in my portfolio? When this happens, I like to refer these clients to other photographers, who will be a better fit for them.
All in all, make sure that the maternity photographer you reach out to has been doing the exact style that you’re looking for in the first place.
It’s not a problem at all. We can do your entire shoot fully dressed or with fabrics being wrapped around you, this is something we would go over during your personal consultation before your shoot. I want to make sure that you get the photo series of your dreams that you can cherish forever and will be a beautiful reflection of this unique time of your life. I personally love artistic nudes, but this is not the only style I’m shooting pregnancy in.
Yes they can! We typically include husbands and children at the very end of your maternity shoot. I like to do hair & make up first, then your individual images, and have the rest of the family arrive for a couple of portraits at the end.
The retouching is typically done within maximum two weeks of your photo shoot, but usually less than that. I am very effective with the retouching and don't like to sit on your images for too long. I know people are very excited to get their final photos and I'm always trying my best to finish the editing as fast as it is possible.
If you're still reading, thank you for being here and if you have more questions, feel free to reach out to me!