Maternity photos

urbanaries · February 23, 2008

I haven't shot maternity in over a year, so I was very nervous about the opportunity! I turned a bedroom into a "studio" for the black background shots, using a 580EX and brolly box camera left with reflector camera right for fill. I had a 100W clamp light lighting the bg, but clearly it wasn't enough to separate subject.

2.

3.

4. Dad was so into the whole session, and helping her feel beautiful and comfortable. His only humble request was to do some with the jersey....he's a notorious Yanks fan.

5. in my hallway, window light

6.

Thanks for looking....honest C&C always welcome.

saurora · February 23, 2008

Wow!!!! These are super! I know some will come along and mention better lighting for separation and yeah, there is nothing wrong with that but then the shots become more "studio". I just love how they sort of emerge from the darkness and I find the shadows very sensual in what is a very sensual and private moment in time. This is particularly noticeable in #1 where his back is not lit, and #3 where the bottom of his face melts into the darkness. I just think this type of exposure works really well for the subject.

Some other comments: gotta love that tatt on the tummy!!!! It will probably never look as pretty as it does here!!!

Love the jersey shot....I'm sure Dad will be pleased. The high key lighting works beautifully, too. #5 is my fav in this lighting. Her laugh and wrinkled nose is cute. Your did well exposing these (white shirts even!). Those bellies glow in the light like a big moon! And then they always have their white hands right where the light is the brightest.....difficult to not blow them out. You did great! And why would you, of all people, be nervous about a pregnancy shoot? Silly girl.

Icebear · February 23, 2008

A great series. They look so happy and friendly. So many maternity series look SOOooooo serious and faux romantic. These kids look real. I'll bet they're ecstatic (with the photos as well as the baby).

Van Isle · February 23, 2008

#5 and #6 RULE!

Fantastic lighting and some very-real expressions and poses. Did it take Mom a while to be really relaxed?

SitterS · February 23, 2008

Love 4,5 and 6. They look so comfortable and it shows in the photos. Not normally into maternity pics (not sure why) but these are just great!

Shane

Agnieszka · February 23, 2008

Agree, LOVE 5 & 6, beautifu light, but the other ones are nice too!

urbanaries · February 23, 2008

saurora wrote:

Wow!!!! These are super! I know some will come along and mention better lighting for separation and yeah, there is nothing wrong with that but then the shots become more "studio". I just love how they sort of emerge from the darkness and I find the shadows very sensual in what is a very sensual and private moment in time. This is particularly noticeable in #1 where his back is not lit, and #3 where the bottom of his face melts into the darkness. I just think this type of exposure works really well for the subject.

Some other comments: gotta love that tatt on the tummy!!!! It will probably never look as pretty as it does here!!! Love the jersey shot....I'm sure Dad will be pleased. The high key lighting works beautifully, too. #5 is my fav in this lighting. Her laugh and wrinkled nose is cute. Your did well exposing these (white shirts even!). Those bellies glow in the light like a big moon! And then they always have their white hands right where the light is the brightest.....difficult to not blow them out. You did great! And why would you, of all people, be nervous about a pregnancy shoot? Silly girl.

Thank you Susan! Yes, I have a LOT to learn when it comes to studio lighting, but for winging it I am surprised they came out this well. I wanted those deep sensual shadows so I was hesitant to use a 2nd flash, but wish I would have in at least a few for posterity.

And yeah, I didn't know she had that tattoo but I was so excited to incorporate it when I saw it!

Their hands in 5 are pretty hot, not entirely blown, but I do wish the light was more even. thanks for commenting!!! )And, thanks for your inspiration, I studied your recent session gallery with your niece quite a bit before this shoot, just to get in the groove....so thank YOU!)

urbanaries · February 23, 2008

Icebear wrote:

A great series. They look so happy and friendly. So many maternity series look SOOooooo serious and faux romantic. These kids look real. I'll bet they're ecstatic (with the photos as well as the baby).

Thank you Icebear, I am very pleased you feel they are so "natural"! And yes, these two "kids" (the dad is 27 and my first cousin; I believe she is 25) have very warm personalities! They are a FUN, charismatic couple.

urbanaries · February 23, 2008

Van Isle wrote:

#5 and #6 RULE!

Fantastic lighting and some very-real expressions and poses. Did it take Mom a while to be really relaxed?

Wow, thanks for your encouragment! It did take mom some time, but once we got the "bare" photos over, she felt much more relaxed, and they had a really great time during the session.

jeffreaux2 · February 23, 2008

#5 is still my favorite. She looks so happy and he appears to be lost in her. Very nice!!!

urbanaries · February 23, 2008

SitterS wrote:

Love 4,5 and 6. They look so comfortable and it shows in the photos. Not normally into maternity pics (not sure why) but these are just great!

Shane

thank you Shane!!! I normally don't like doing "studio" photos either, because I don't want them to look forced or fake. So I am very flattered by your comments! Thank you!

urbanaries · February 23, 2008

Agnieszka wrote:

Agree, LOVE 5 & 6, beautifu light, but the other ones are nice too!

Thank you Agnieszka! I'll be putting that hallway to good use from now on!

urbanaries · February 23, 2008

jeffreaux2 wrote:

#5 is still my favorite. She looks so happy and he appears to be lost in her. Very nice!!!

Thank you Jeff! You called it...it was the client's favorite, too. They ordered a 16x20 to display at the baby shower tomorrow, and it printed beautifully. (WHCC)

evoryware · February 23, 2008

I like 4, 5 and 6. I like how you left the shade up a tad to get more light on the belly in 6, whether intentional or not.
Let's go Yankees!

ChatKat · February 23, 2008

Why as photographers
do we doubt ourselves so much?

These are beautiful, Lynne - you should be very pleased with them. And I agree that #5 is my favorite too, but, really, there isn't one that I wouldn't be happy to show in my portfolio...

Elaine · February 23, 2008

Yay, Lynne!

Gorgeous set! Maternity shots make me uncomfortable sometimes (just viewing them...I've never shot them), but these don't! I love how involved the dad is!

The tones and the position on the first one are beautiful, showing off that unique tattoo.
I LOVE the baseball one! Awesome!
And #5 has such nice light and perfect expressions...really special.
I also like the light in #6.

No doubt these are treasures for them. Congratulations to you all!

jeffreaux2 · February 23, 2008

urbanaries wrote:

Thank you Jeff! You called it...it was the client's favorite, too. They ordered a 16x20 to display at the baby shower tomorrow, and it printed beautifully. (WHCC)

Awesome!!!

It is a beautiful moment capture perfectly!

photoshow · February 23, 2008

Really beautiful work. The real joy in this kind of photography comes not from pure technical perfection of lighting and exposure but from the technical perfection of emotion capture and that is something you succeeded with 100% here. These images convey the happiness and wonder that this couple is feeling. Any image that carries it's emotion to the viewer is a winner and these all do that nicely.

urbanaries · February 23, 2008

photoshow wrote:

Any image that carries it's emotion to the viewer is a winner and these all do that nicely.

The best compliment I could hope for...thank you much

Scott_Quier · February 24, 2008

Hey Lynne,

It looks like you've hit another one out of the park. Like Jeff, I think #5 is my favorite of the group, mostly because you captured him so lost in her - the emotion is so powerful and well captured!

You really need to stop doubting yourself. Maybe you're keeping the discards to yourself (as you should), but what you post is always fantastic.

k2butter · February 24, 2008

WOW! REALLY REALLY GREAT JOB!!!! They both look so natural and comfortable!!! AWESOME! Looks like you did a great job in making them feel this way!!! Not an easy thing to do!

jayegirl · February 24, 2008

I agree these are great. I have always like the idea behind these shots but rarely see any I actually really like. Good job!

Tessa HD · March 12, 2008

BEAUTIFUL! I just searched the forum for maternity pics and yours are spectacular! I haven't don't this before and now need to for someone. I hope I can do half as good as you did!