Melbourne maternity photography - The Lifestyle approach

Why should you take maternity photos?

The fact that your body is changing on a daily basis can be very daunting. You might have some aches and pains and making this little human can make you very tired for sure, but this chapter in your life is worth remembering. Your maternity session is a great way to start telling the story of your bub and a way to look back on these memories. A maternity session doesn’t have to be all cheesy with gowns and uncomfortable positions, it can be just simply at home, or your favourite place to hang like the beach. A maternity session is a great time to reflect on all the changes and to have some time for both you and your partner ,so maybe make it fun and plan your session near a place that is meaningful to both of you?

When to take maternity photos?

Don’t wait to be on maternity leave to book your session! One in 5 mammas that I have photographed have gone into labour before their due date, so don’t wait until you are on Maternity leave to book your session, chances are you will also be very uncomfortable. A good indication is probably around the seventh or eight months or 30 weeks, your tummy will be nice and round by then and you will still be able to move around comfortably. If you are considering using the images as part of a baby shower invitation then probably around 28 weeks is fine too.

Maternity photo Tips and tricks.

The way you dress and the location of your photography session will depend on the time of the year your bub is born. For spring and autumn session I recommend the beach or the park, outdoor locations work great during these months. If your bub is due in summer then consider planning ahead to have your session on the last days of spring or consider having your session outdoors but towards the end of the day, in case it’s a hot day. We will always have the option to reschedule if it’s a hot and uncomfortable day. If your bub is due in winter, then maybe consider to have your photography session at home, or maybe to have a camping style session with a warm fire and hot chocolate.

5 Tips to style your clothes for your maternity photography session

Once you have decided on your location then it’s time to start considering your outfit. Some of the things to consider when styling your clothes are:

1. Look for complementary patterns, if your partner is wearing stripes then opt for a plain colour outfit.

2. Avoid writing on your outfit and choose plain colours.

3. Put some coconut oil on your tummy or your preferred moisturiser before the session.

4. Try to avoid tight clothes and inner cloths (undies) to avoid marks on your tummy.

5. Try to avoid strong neon colours.

By far the most important part of preparing for your photography session is to feel comfortable and confident that you look your best, so I would suggest that you avoid new outfits, or if you are considering purchasing an outfit, then maybe wear it once or twice before your session, and above all avoid new shoes!

Best locations for your maternity photoshoot in Melbourne

Melbourne is an incredible city with a ton of options when it comes to outdoor locations. Maternity photoshoots can be both indoor and outdoors, it’s completely up to you and how you want to tell your story. Here are a few of my favourite places to have sessions around Melbourne.

5 top beach photography locations for maternity photoshoots:

My happy place is at the beach! My family and I we love the outdoors and the Melbourne beaches are our happy place during spring and summer. Here are some of my favourite places to photograph around Bayside.

• Rickett point: This is one of my favourite locations in Bayside. Located in Beaumaris, this beach has a variety of locations that are a great for a maternity photography session, the best part are the rockpools and on a clear and calm day the possibilities are endless!

• Red Bluff lookout: Located in Sandringham, this is another great location. The red rocks around the cliff next to the Cerberus are an in credible backdrop specially on spring and autumn light.

• Carrum beach: the inlet near Carrum beach and the rocks around make this beach a great location for a sunset photoshoot.

• Seaford beach: the lifesaving club is brand new and a great place to get your session kicked off! The pier nearby is also an incredible place to have images for your loved ones, and the white sand makes gives the ocean on a clear day an incredible blue colour.

• Altona Beach: On the other side of town and with the city backdrops, this is another great beach to consider for your session. Close to Melbourne port the views to the city are great.

3 great parks in Melbourne to consider for your maternity session:

There are a great variety of options with parks around Melbourne and the southern suburbs. Some parks have high hills and others lakes, some are quiet and other have epic playground to finish our session with a bang if you have toddlers. I hope that these locations will help you to brainstorm your session.

• Landcox Park in Brighton: This park has a great variety of locations for a great session. There is a lake in the middle of the park but by far my favourite spot is the epic hill. This hill is incredible for silhouette shots at sunset, and there are a variety of possibilities.

• Basterfield Park in Hampton: Another great park with a little lake. This park has incredible trees that turn different colours in autumn, making it another epic location for a photoshoot. There are numerous spots with a bit more privacy, and also some beautiful flowers that bloom during spring.

• Cheltenham Park Reserve in Cheltenham: This is a great place for a wild adventure! We would start the session with a little hike to the top of the hill with a ton of options for wild hunts of imaginary bears if you bring toddlers in tow.

• Mentone Racecourse reserve: a mix of epic playground, little lake and a beautiful little bridge. This is a great little hidden gem in Mentone, quiet on most mornings and with a ton of options to finish our session at the playground.

• Braeside Park: This is one of my favourites, this park has a ton of of options. With a beautiful avenue of pine trees in one corner this park is massive and has a ton of places to take some epic images.

I hope that you will find this guide useful. This is only a starting place for you to think ab out your session, if you are not in Bayside then just let me know your location when booking your session and I will start hunting for the best location for your photoshoot.

Things to keep in mind for your maternity photoshoot: the do’s and dont’s.

If you are reading these lines by now I am glad that you have stuck around! My aim is to guide you through your session and hopefully help you to prepare for your maternity photoshoot as best as we can. Here are some suggestions on things to keep in mind while planning ahead:

Things to do before your maternity photoshoot:

• Avoid fluorescent colours, these colours tend to change the tone of your skin and they react to the natural light of the sun.

• Try on and wear beforehand your outfit: stick to worn shoes, and avoid new shoes that could cause blisters when walking.

• Avoid tight underwear, this will show through your clothes and it will cause unnatural lines.

• Try to coordinate outfits without matching: choose a palette of colours or a neutral colour like grey or blues and play with the tones of the same colour.

• Remove your glasses and transition lenses for your session to avoid glare.

Things to avoid before your maternity session:

• Avoid glitter and shimmering makeup, this could react with the light causing unnatural highlights on your face.

• Try to avoid having a dramatic change if you are planning a haircut or a change on the colour of your hair before your session.

• Avoid having a packed day ahead of your session, most sessions last around 45 minutes to one hour on average, but I will not have a limit on time, so if we need to walk a bit further that’s fine, so avoid rushing on your day to be able to make the most of your session.

Fran Jorgensen is a maternity photographer based in Melbourne but servicing Mornington, Melbourne, Geelong and many other suburbs.