Images By : Heather Mosher
Image 1: This image is actually a perfect example of an un-posed image. I spend a few minutes before and during each session chatting with my new Mom’s and making them feel comfortable. I think we usually connect pretty well because I am also a mother and have gone through pregnancy a few times myself. Towards the middle of each session I try to just have a little fun as you see in this image where I asked Mom to play with one of my vintage cameras. As we are joking around being silly I am usually waiting for the right time to snap and we end up with a really great candid image. Even though I’m actually placing a lot of thought into these “candid” images my clients think we are just hanging out having some fun which I think works best for a more natural expression.
Image 2: This image was a more posed look. We wanted a dreamy and very clean feel for this particular image. The fabric is a gauze and was wrapped around her waist directly under her belly only one time and pinned on the side turned away from the camera. When placing the clients arms over her breast’s I always try to be aware that her arms are not pressing down to hard which will result in an unflattering appearance. I shot in front of a South facing window in our White studio for a more dreamy effect.
Image 3: Siblings are great for maternity images. Just showing the belly with the big sister or brother is always really fun. Just belly’s are also great for fun little things like a jar of pickles, an ultra-sound image,baby booties etc.
Image 4: For this image I did offer some suggestions. As you can see Mom is very tiny. When Mothers come to me with a smaller belly I will ask them to arch their backs slightly to stick the belly out some. Raising the hip closest to the camera sometimes helps as well. I also asked Mom to keep her arm in a more defined position so that is was not lost in the image and to tilt her head a bit to show her amazing hair!
Image 5: This image is one of my favorite images. Again, an example of an un-posed image. While we were setting the shot up I noticed her little girl playing in the background and Mom looking down and I snapped this really quick. I think some of my favorite images come about this way.
Image 6: Shooting children is not always a perfect experience. They’re children and if they are having a bad day there is no bribe in the world that will change that. This clients little girl really wanted nothing to do with having her picture taken that day and she was really giving her Mom a run for her money! I had Mom in a Yoga pose towards the very end of the session on the beach and her little girl just ran over and gave her a hug, the emotion on Moms face is really powerful to me, I know that face, the frustration and the overwhelming emotion of it all. I think even when everything is not going exactly as you planned for it you can still take what you have and make something amazing with it. There is always a story to tell. This was one of my hardest sessions to shoot but also one of my top 5 favorite sessions.
