Pregnancy is a transformative and profound period in a woman’s life, marked by anticipation, change, and wonder. Photographing these fleeting moments through the lens of a camera not only preserves the memories for a lifetime but also celebrates the beauty of motherhood. Capturing these meaningful portraits requires an understanding of the human body as well as strong communication skills and a range of maternity poses. In particular, the photographer needs to understand different ways of emphasizing the belly while making the subject feel and look comfortable and beautiful. In this article, we’ll teach you essential maternity poses, ideas and tips for a full understanding of posing for this unique genre of photography.
Maternity Poses and Ideas
Here are some classic and unique pose ideas, coupled with tips to ensure your maternity photos truly shine.
1. Both hands under the belly
A classic pose that emphasizes the mother’s connection to her baby. Have the mom-to-be stand with her feet shoulder-width apart and slightly bent inwards while cradling her bump gently from below. This position accentuates the belly’s roundness and creates a protective and nurturing vibe.
2. One hand above and one hand under the belly photographed from the side
This pose adds dimension by capturing the belly’s curvature. This maternity pose works particularly well when the wardrobe is loose, as it pushes the clothing inwards and shows off the shape of the belly.
3. One hand above and one hand under the belly photographed from the front
A direct frontal shot can be very beautiful to add to your set of maternity poses. With the hands placed strategically, it’s a great way to capture facial expressions while also highlighting the belly.
4. Both hands above the belly
While not as common as other hand placement options, both hands above the belly can add some variety to your maternity poses.
5. One hand above the belly and one hand holding something
This can be a pair of baby shoes, an ultrasound photo, or fashion accessory like a hat or scarf. It’s a way to introduce elements, style, or story to the maternity pose.
6. Dress toss maternity photo
Photographing from the side, have the expectant mother toss her dress so it flows in the wind. This dynamic shot is all about movement and the beauty of the feminine form during pregnancy. Use a fast shutter speed to capture the dress in motion.
7. Maternity couples photos
Incorporate the partner for a loving and supportive shot. The partner can stand behind or beside, placing their hand on the belly or around the mother in an embrace. This pose underscores the shared joy and anticipation. We have a full article on couples maternity photoshoot ideas for more inspiration.
8. Henna/Mehndi belly blessings
This cultural touchpoint involves painting the belly with intricate patterns using henna (i.e. Mehndi). The dark designs against the skin offer a beautiful contrast and pay homage to traditions celebrating motherhood.
10. All Hands In
A maternity pose that evokes the essence of family. Have all the family members place their hands on the mother’s belly. It can be especially touching with siblings involved, symbolizing the collective love and anticipation of the newest family member.
Video: Posing Tutorial – Maternity Portraits
In this video, we’re going to work through some of the nuances of maternity portraits in regards to lighting and posing. If you’re interested in learning more about how to capture maternity portraits, be sure to check out our full workshop, which is also part of our Premium subscription.
Maternity Posing Tips
Next, to complete your understanding of maternity poses and posing, let’s review some basic tips for posing for maternity photography that we covered in the video above.
Bend One Leg and Ensure Good Posture
In maternity posing, ensure that the leg is bent to accentuate the curves and avoid a boxy look. See the incorrect image on the left, with a refined version on the right.
Ask the subject to kick her hips to one side. Which side doesn’t matter so do whatever is most comfortable for the subject. However, it’s important to make sure the subject isn’t leaning with her hips away from the camera. This can de-emphasize the hips. Once the hips are kicked to one side, the subject’s feet should come together with one knee drawn in to hang over the other knee and create a tapered point in the dress. Next, ensure that the subject is standing up straight and check for details to make sure the dress is laid out nicely.
Use Hand Placement to Draw Attention
You can also bring those hands forward to direct our viewers’ eyes to our intended focus point. Here are a couple different examples.
Conclusion
Maternity photos are more than just images. They capture fleeting moments of anticipation, love, and transition. With the right poses and a touch of creativity, these portraits can become lifetime keepsakes. Whether you’re the photographer or the subject, consider these ideas and tips as a starting point, and let the beauty of maternity shine through.
