Brook is due at the end of this month and wanted to fit in some photos before she popped out baby number two. (If you are interested, you can read a little more about her on this post.) Which leads me to my first tangent – 21 month olds are hard to photograph! They constantly move. I will seriously pack some Benedryl the next time I do a photoshoot with a toddler. Joke. Sortof.
Seeing Brook pregnant through my camera’s lens reminded me of when she was pregnant with Lilley…and my very first maternity photoshoot. I remember how magical pregnancy was in my brain. I looked at ‘the bump’ in total bewilderment. It was nothing short of a mysterious miracle. And now, since I actually went through a pregnancy and came out the other end, my mind is made up that there is nothing that I love more than maternity photoshoots. I think it’s because I ADORED being pregnant. I didn’t worry about looking fat or whether my clothes were cute…all I could focus on was this beautiful, new little life growing inside me.
I think experiencing pregnancy myself changed the way I look at pregnant women. I see them with more strength now. Somehow they are less fragile and more warrior-princess. Xena without the ridiculous screaming. or swinging from vines.
It’s funny how this time around I ended up with a completely different style of photo. I think that is more a reflection of me than of this cool family. With the first maternity photoshoot, I think I shot more pictures that had a cleaner style. It was very up front and ‘sweet’. It contained mostly posed pictures and had a very staged air to them.
What I love about these is that I feel like they tell more of a story. Somehow I am able (don’t ask how!) to capture more of a relaxed…almost photojournalistic style. Like a truer reflection of emotion. (might I add that I LOVE her hair in this photo!):
I’ve noticed that now I also do a lot less specifics. Now I do more “go ahead and sit in the grass” and then I move around to capture what they already have going on. I also give more general instructions – like “Dad, look at mom. Mom, look at me.” Whereas before it was definitely “SMILE!” “CHIN UP” “KNEE DOWN” “BACK STRAIGHT” “SMILE!” “PULL YOUR FINGERS TOGETHER” “SMILE!!!!” times one hundred.
Not that I don’t get smiling shots. I do.
But I don’t try to force them.
What I am saying is that somehow my style got grittier. Not just in the editing but also in the way I choose what to shoot.
It is totally weird to me. Like an evolution of photography.
Dontcha just love those baby toes? So sweet.
and you have no idea how hard it was to get her to sit on this bench. (which by the way, you can totally make fun of me for LOVING the over-used-bench-in-a-field look. I would tease me too. I just can’t help it. When there is rugged old furniture around, I HAVE TO USE IT. It’s a sickness.)
And somehow this photo reminds me of those Willow Tree statues…except these people actually have faces.
Ok – so now for my favorite two. First up, we have this one of Brook reading to Lilley. It’s not actually part of the photoshoot. I just love how it is such a true photo of what life in their house is like right now. And yes, I love the distortion of the lens…it just adds to the lovable quirkiness.
And my absolute favorite is this one. I actually asked them to do this pose and I am soo glad that I did because I love the look. It doesn’t hurt that Brook’s ankles aren’t swollen 🙂 You lucky dog you.
Honestly though, my favorite maternity photos are ones where the dad is looking at the mom or the belly. Somehow it just makes the photo sizzle to me.
So do you have a favorite? Maybe you like the staged photos better? Or perhaps you are diggin’ the style of the gritty maternity photos now? Are you pregnant? Have you posted your maternity photos? Go ahead and link up. I love me a good ole fashioned picture party 🙂
p.s. I shot all but the ‘reading’ picture with my Rebel XSi with my 50mm lens. Every photo was edited using Photoshop CS4 with Pioneer Woman actions.
I like the one of all 3 of them on the bench. Its seems like such a personal moment! So sweet!
those are absolutely beautiful! i definitely like that style. you are quite good!
and i love that you loved your pregnancy and didn’t worry about silly things like looking fat. i think i will feel that way too when i am one day!
I absolutely loves the photos! Our wedding photographer was a photo journalist and captured amazing photos like the style you were going for. It just captures real life and “the moment.”
Awesome job! Love it!
These pictures are wonderful! You did an awesome job Katie! I think my favorite is the one you said looks like a Willows Statue. But I also really like the one with little Lilley kissing Mama’s belly while they all sit on the bench. Too sweet!
Hi Katie!
I’m loving these pictures! I just got a Canon Rebel XS that came with the standard 18-55mm lens. Do you have any tips for me starting out with portraits like this? I don’t have the money to buy any other lenses yet, so I have to work with what I’ve got. But I want to be able to offer taking pictures of my friends once we start having babies (only about half of us are married, me just about 2 months ago, and it’ll probably be a few years before anyone has a baby). Thanks!
Love the blog! I think I’ve said before, but I live in Atlanta too so it’s really nice to have some of your tips that are local!
These photos are amazing! These are the same quality photos that I’ve seen done by photographers that get paid an arm and a leg! My favorites are the ones with the bench….so sweet 🙂
LOVE these! You did a great job (and it doesn’t hurt that that’s one adorable family!) Wanna venture out to the Seattle area in about 6 months? 🙂
Beautiful!! I have the same camera, but I’m new to photography so haven’t quite mastered how to best use it. I love me some Pioneer Woman actions though!
These photos are definitely getting filed away for inspiration when I eventually need my own maternity photos. Absolutely gorgeous! Great job, Katie!!
So I totally can’t pick a favorite. But I just have to ask…..do you read up on photography and/or photography blogs? If so, which ones?!? I’m looking for a good “instructional” photography blog and I always find them so intimidating!!!!! What do you think?!?!
GREAT shots!!!!
xoxo
Lindsay
You are an amazing photographer, Katie! I love them all, but especially the 3 of them on the bench. It looks like mom and dad are telling their daughter all about her new little sibling.
So, my best friend is pregnant and needs a matternity shoot… And I’m sure I could dig up a bench in a field… 😉 joke. sortof.
But in complete seriousness, these photos are great!
Excellent job on the maternity photos. My favorite has to be Brook and her little girl reading together. I love the sweet smiles on their faces and that big ‘ole round belly poking out. Did you use a fisheye attachment for this shot? I love the angle.
I was due yesterday, August 12th, (still no baby yet) and so I had my friend Scott take some maternity photos of me and the hubs a couple of weeks back. We were hoping to take a good chunk of the shots outdoors, but with this record heat wave and living in Memphis, TN that was a no go. We stayed indoors for the most part during the shoot.
Here is a link to my maternity photo shoot. Enjoy!
My Maternity Photos
aww what great pics! She definitely makes a beautiful preggers!
The one with them lounging on the bench is definitely my favorite as well! 🙂
great pictures of a sweet family 🙂 i miss all of you! i love the last one, too…. awesome job!
ps: i took a brook/lilley baby toes pic last summer! 🙂
here it is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissyface/3796729192/in/set-72157621842315391/
WoWee Katie, You have evolved! I went to college for photography, you totally get it. Seeing the first shoot up with the second shoot is so amazing. You can see everything you are talking about. You are really looking at what you are photographing and not posing. I am a huge fan especially because you are self taught! Can’t wait to see what you’ll do next.
Oh I love the close up of the belly, hand and legs. It breaks up the series to have a change in distance I think.
Well Jenny…that makes it a little difficult to recommend any tips seeing as how I took all the pictures with the 50 mm lens. I would suggest that you save your pennies because it is very fun lens to take portraits with and it is less than a hundred bones (sometimes you can score a used one on craigslist or ebay for around $50!). Also I would definitely recommend ONLY shooting in manual. That will force you to learn how to properly expose your photos. Hope this helps!
XO – katie
From a mother of twins who literally hid from cameras during her pregnancy (hello freak show edema!) and who personally finds maternity photos to be sickly-sweet & rose-colored-glasses…… I ADORE the belly/hand/legs shot. Seriously love love love it. I’m a sucker for playful family photos and this totally fits the bill!
Wow! Brook looks so awesome. I swear her best look is pregnant! Good thing she wants like a dozen kids! I like the three of them on the bench and also the upclose belly shot without any faces. 😉
Katie,
I love all of the sepia shots (is that what it’s called?); it adds to the grittiness, the perfect raw quality that I love to look at. I do love the one of the three of them on the bench, but my very favourite is the three of them standing, Mom and Dad looking down at their little girl; that to me is just so all-American and perfect. Good job!
Thanks Katie! That was really the kick in the bum I needed about the lens. I was trying to hold off but I’ll just have to tell my husband to scratch the list for Christmas I may or may not have already started 😉 And I will definitely try the manual trick. I had been shooting in auto a good bit but I think you are definitely right about it teaching me how to expose my pics properly. Thanks for the help!
Jenny
Such lovely pics!
Now, I have to warn you that Benadryl does not make all children sleepy. My nephew and daughter are both immune to its charms. Not that I was *trying* to make my daughter sleepy for my own nefarious purposes, mind you, I just thought it would be nice if she could sleep through a little of her illness and misery. Denied.
If you ever have an itch to come to Utah (who doesn’t, right? right?) you could take awesome pics like these for me and my hubby. We are TTC and when I am pregnant I would want maternity shots just like these! But in the mean time I would love shots like these of just me and the man and our puppy who is no longer a puppy.
😉 What is sad is that I know a few professional photographers and when we have had pics taken in the past they just don’t get it that we want NATURAL pics, not completely posed up in the most cliche poses ever. I like your style. You like…. GET IT!
Katie – great job! These are beautiful. I’ve read back through your photography posts and I love seeing how much you’ve learned. I’m right in that boat with you, learning so much about it. Photography is definitely a passion of mine. There’s so much to it! Keep up the good work.
PS: You and your blog are so cute! 🙂
I absolutely love these pictures. They are absolutely amazing! I wish I still lived in Georgia…
beautiful family and beautiful pictures. i love the one of mom and daughter’s feet and also the one with the mom holding daughter piggy back. that was SUCH a great idea to shoot just their midsections so that you see the bump as well as the daughter’s dangling legs.
very nice!
The pictures were wonderful! Absolutely loved all of them! Good photographer and good subjects!
I have the same sette’ and it is worn the same way! Great images.
jen