Although maternity sessions and boudoir photographs are two different types of sessions, I have bundled them into what I call Intimate Portraits. I did this because although they are different, they share many similarities and reasoning for taking them. Let me explain...
Both of these sessions are showing off beauty. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, ages and states of mind. Pregnant women are beautiful, as are women over 40, as are plus size girls, as are freckles, as are large bellies, as are.... The point is to capture this beauty in a unique and creative way and put it inside an album that will be kept forever.
Intimate Portraits come with an 8x8 black and gold album that in the case of maternity photos can be placed along side the documenting of your new baby while boudoir photos are often given as a gift to one's lover - sometimes on the wedding night, sometimes as an anniversary or sometimes, just because. Many women over 40 will have boudoir sessions done to show that aging is NOT lost youth, but simply a new stage of beauty. It is a gift that they give to themselves.
Intimate Portraits (maternity and boudoir) can be done in studio as well as on location. They can simply be a portrait session of bonding such as the couple I recently photographed at Briar Ridge Country Club. Their maternity session was part of a larger event I was photographing for them that day. It showed them celebrating their baby to be and bonding with a walk in the park. We showed off her belly, but it was not bare at anytime. It was more of a simple portrait session.
Another client came in studio with more of a boudoir feel to her maternity session with a bare belly and implied nudity. Every session will have a consultation where we discuss exactly what we are going for and how we want to approach the photographs. All Intimate Portrait sessions have one of my female assistants there to help coordinate the shots.
Black and white photos of an in studio maternity session.
In studio boudoir session in Northwest Indiana.
An overlooked aspect of these sessions is they are pure fun!! Bringing a friend along can really calm the nerves and turn the entire session into a bonding experience. I highly encourage bringing a friend along who can work with my assistant and me from shot to shot. In studio I have quite the large private lounge area with lots of room for different outfits. We play music and refreshments are on hand as well. When the photos are ready, we have a viewing session where you can pick your favorites. I then design your album for you. For clients who want retouching, I will do this and we can discuss it at your consultation. An untouched, completely organic look can be had as well.
Be sure to fill out the Contact Form to set up a consultation for your Intimate Portrait session.