Nearly every woman who walks into my studio says some version of the same sentence.
"I'm really not photogenic."
Sometimes it is said with a laugh. Sometimes it is said quietly, with her hands folded over her bump as though she is trying to hide it. And almost every time, by the end of the session, she is looking at the back of my camera with tears in her eyes, astonished at the woman she is seeing.
If you are feeling nervous, please know you are in very good company. This is for you.
Why pregnancy makes us so self-aware
Your body is changing faster than you can keep up with.
Clothes that fitted last month do not fit now. Your face may look different. Your ankles may be swollen. You may feel tired, hormonal and not quite at home in yourself. On top of that, we live in a world full of polished images that quietly tell us what we should look like.
So when someone suggests photographs, it is completely natural to feel a small flutter of dread.
I want to say something gently. You are doing something extraordinary. You are making a human being, and the shape that comes with it is not a flaw to be managed. It is evidence of something miraculous.
"I'm not photogenic" is rarely true
What most people mean when they say this is that they have been photographed badly.
A phone held at arm's length, harsh overhead lighting, a camera pointed upward at the chin, a rushed snap while you were mid-sentence. These are not flattering conditions for anybody.
A good photographer changes all of that. The light is soft and directional. The angle is chosen to honour your shape. The pose is adjusted until it feels natural, and the moment is captured when you are relaxed rather than bracing. Being photogenic is mostly a matter of being photographed well.
If you are curious how that differs from a casual snap, I wrote about professional maternity photos versus your phone.
What I do to help you relax
You do not need to know how to pose. That is my job.
I start slowly. We talk first, usually over a cup of tea, about your pregnancy, your family, your hopes and what you are worried about. By the time the camera comes up, we are two women chatting, not a subject and a stranger.
Then I guide you gently, one small direction at a time. Turn your shoulder here. Soften your chin. Rest your hand just so. Breathe out. Think of the moment you first felt the baby move. Those prompts shift your face from "being photographed" to "feeling something", and that is where the beautiful frames come from.
I also check the images with you as we go if you would like to, and many mothers find that seeing how lovely they look in the first ten minutes transforms the rest of the session.
Practical things that help
A few small choices make a surprising difference to how confident you feel:
Choose an outfit that makes you feel wonderful, not one you think you should wear. If you love how you feel in it, it will show.
Have your hair and make-up done in a way that feels like you on a lovely day, not like a stranger.
Eat something light beforehand and bring water. Low energy shows in the face.
Bring someone supportive if it helps, whether that is your partner or a close friend, as long as they make you laugh.
Tell me what you are worried about. If you dislike your arms, or your profile from one side, I will quietly work around it.
If you would like ideas, my guide to maternity photoshoot poses shows how much variety there is, including options that feel gentle and covered.
Different levels of comfort, all welcome
There is no single way to be photographed while pregnant.
Some mothers want the bump fully bare. Some prefer sheer fabric or a draped gown. Some want everything covered, with the beauty found in the hands resting on a knit jumper. Some want to be in silhouette, with just the shape of the curve against a window. All of these are lovely and none of them is more "right" than another.
At the studio the setting is private, calm and warm, which many women find makes them more comfortable than they expected to be. It is yours for the length of the session, and nobody is watching.
A different way to look at the photographs
When you look at your maternity photographs in twenty years, you will not be inspecting them for flaws.
You will be looking at the woman who was expecting your child. You will see your own hands, the quiet in your face, the way you were holding yourself, and the beginning of everything. You will probably find her unbelievably beautiful, and a little surprising, and you will wish you had been kinder to her at the time.
I would like you to be kind to her now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I do not know how to pose?
You do not need to. I guide you through every position in small, simple steps, and the best images usually come from a moment of real feeling rather than a perfect pose. Most mothers say it is far easier than they expected.
What if I feel uncomfortable with my body at the moment?
That is very common, and I never push you beyond what feels right. We can choose outfits and compositions that give you as much or as little coverage as you want, and you can change your mind at any point during the session.
Do I need to wear make-up and have my hair done?
You do not have to, but many mothers enjoy it because it makes them feel special. If you do, aim for a polished version of your natural look rather than something very different from how you normally appear.
Can my partner or a friend be there for support?
Of course. Some mothers relax more with someone familiar beside them, others prefer to be alone with me. Either is fine, and we can decide on the day depending on how you feel.
Will you retouch my photographs?
I edit with a light, natural touch so that you still look like yourself on your very best day. If there is anything in particular you would like softened or left alone, simply tell me and I will take care of it.
You are allowed to feel beautiful
You do not have to be confident before you arrive. You only have to be willing to turn up. The confidence tends to come on its own, somewhere around the second cup of tea.
If you have been putting off a session because you are nervous, I would love to hear about it. Please get in touch and tell me what is worrying you, and we will work out a session that feels right.
Sincerely yours, Anastasia
