Maternity or pregnancy photoshoot is common among pregnant women, and without a doubt, every pregnant woman wants the best possible maternity photoshoot. Thus, choosing the right outdoor location for the photo session is important.
Generally, pregnancy comes with a lot of feelings, unusual sensations, and even tenderness, and posing before the camera with your developing baby bump can be intriguing for some and somewhat fearful for others. However, several expectant women are saving these pregnancy memories and experiences with beautiful outdoor photographs.
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Therefore, in this article, you will learn how to choose the best and most beautiful locations for your outdoor maternity photos alongside some factors to consider. To start, below are some beautiful places to go for outdoor pregnancy photoshoots:
Note: Apart from the comfort of your home or photo studio, there are several beautiful places in your locality to have your outdoor maternity photoshoots. While some women fancy using low grasslands or forest areas, the most favorite and commonly used locations among pregnant women include as below-
What features should I look for when scouting locations for my pregnancy photos outdoors?
Look for natural elements like trees or lush greeny to lie against or sit down on for relaxed pregnant photos, a good road for easy accessibility, and natural backdrops that can enhance your maternity shots.
The Beach
The beach is one of the most popular places to take outdoor maternity photos. Several pregnant women prefer going to the beach for their pregnancy photo sessions because of its natural serene, and beautiful look. The water body can also add extra depth and purpose to the pictures.
Maternity photographs taken at the beach are some of the best pregnancy images on the internet. Thus, you can be confident of getting beautiful shots if you decide to use any of the beaches in your neighborhood. Ensure to go when there are less likely to be so many people around and dress appropriately.
The Park
A park is another great place for outdoor maternity photos. Parks feature several beautiful natural designs and props that are perfect for pregnancy photographs.
There are so many different types of parks around the world, so it’s easy to find one that suits your needs and preferences. If you have access to a park nearby, it’s worth checking out!
The Zoo
If you are an animal lover and have access to a zoo nearby, it’s also worth checking out for your pregnancy photo sessions. Some zoos have areas specifically designated for taking family shots.
You don’t necessarily have to feature the caged animals in the pictures. You can make use of any beautiful and safe areas in the environment. However, ensure the photos contain an iota of the scene.
Underwater
If you are a water enthusiast, you can have your outdoor pregnancy photoshoot underwater. Although it can pose a challenge, it is an exciting location for a great maternity photo.
To do this, ensure you have a waterproof camera like GoPro Hero9 and in-depth knowledge of the depth of the water. Also, ensure your spouse or lifeguard is around the vicinity for support. We recommend using a swimming pool or a shallow river.
Footbridge
The footbridge is another great outdoor location where you can pose and have your maternity photos taken by your photographer.
Ensure to dress appropriately from home because you might not be able to change or adjust your clothes in public. If you desire some privacy, you can search for a nearby footbridge located away from the general public.
Your backyard
How can you click outdoor maternity photos without actually leaving your house or comfort zone? The best way is to set and click the pictures right in your backyard. This way, you can still feel at home, comfortable, and confident throughout the session.
Having your outdoor pregnancy photographs clicked in your backyard allows you to walk into your room anytime during the session and change clothes as you like.
For stunning and creative maternity photos, ensure to tidy and set the place up before the moment. You can fix some baby-related or sentimental props and designs on the background to add beautiful effects to the images.
The Street
The street is another beautiful outdoor location to pose for your pregnancy photo session if you are not the shy type.
Generally, streets are always busy with people and vehicles. However, the scenes are naturally beautiful. So, ensure to dress well from home and use simple props.
In A Desert
The desert is another quiet, private, beautiful outdoor location for maternity photos. So if there is any nearby, you can make an appointment with your photographer to have the pictures taken there. You might want to have a bottle of water with you in case you get thirsty during the session.
At Your Doorstep
Your doorstep is another unique outdoor location for maternity photos. The door can serve as a beautiful background, and you can design or include some props for extra effects.
Train Tracks And Stations
Train tracks or stations are popular outdoor locations among pregnant women. If you love and want to express your love for pilgrimages through your maternity photos, you can take pictures at bus stations, train tracks, or stations.
Whichever location you choose, ensure to prioritize your privacy and comfort. If you are looking for an outdoor setting with more privacy, we recommend a secure forest area where there won’t be many people with your partner and the photographer. Safe forest areas are also aesthetically pleasing and add extra natural colors to maternity photos.
6 Factors To Consider When Choosing Outdoor Locations For Pregnancy Photoshoot
A proper location is an essential part of getting beautiful pregnancy pictures. However, it can be difficult finding a good place in your locality. Therefore, to help you ease the pressure and narrow down your choices, below are some factors you should consider:
Light
Access to soft natural light is one of the key factors to consider when searching for a location for outdoor shoots. Good light is a necessity for every sort of photography.
As a general rule, one of the best periods for outdoor photography is any time between one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset. Therefore, ensure your desired outdoor location is evenly exposed to sunlight.
Perhaps, you want to select an enclosed or dark location; in that case, we recommend speaking with your photographer to make provision for strong artificial lighting equipment. Otherwise, your pictures might come out looking dark and unevenly exposed.
The Weather Condition And Season Of The Year
Aside from access to natural light, the weather conditions and season at the time you wish to take your pictures are other things you must examine before deciding on the best spot for your outdoor maternity photo sessions.
The weather condition and season of the year play a key role in the outcome of your pregnancy pictures. For example, if the weather is rainy, snowy, or windy, an outdoor location might not be ideal because the condition might spoil the images.
For instance, snow can make it hard to see the photograph. It can also make the clicks look too ‘Christmassy’ for a pregnancy shoot. So, one of the best seasons to click outdoor maternity photos is summer, when the sun is warm on the skin and the sky is evenly bright and lit.
However, if the last trimester of your pregnancy or early postpartum happens to occur in a season other than summer and autumn (fall) and you still insist on having outdoor maternity clicks; in that case, we advise you to research and prepare for the weather accordingly.
Furthermore, you also have to consider the time of the day. If you are looking for a romantic evening, you might want to consider going somewhere in the evening or night hours.
The surroundings of the location:
The surroundings of the location is another important thing you must consider. You must examine if it is aesthetically pleasing and can blend or resonate with your pre planned kind of maternity photos.
You must also ensure the site is void of distractions or elements capable of stealing the point of focus when the pictures are clicked. For example, if you are taking photos in front of an industrial complex with lots of machinery, the site might not be aesthetically pleasing, and the features might draw attention to themselves.
Generally, pregnancy photoshoots are sentimental. Thus, choose an outdoor zone featuring beautiful natural designs and props, which can serve as a creative background or foreground in the images.
Your Safety, Privacy, And Comfort
Your safety, privacy, and comfort should not be sidelined when planning to take your maternity pictures. Regarding safety and comfort, ensure the zone is secured and void of wildlife creatures. Also, make sure the topography or terrain of the place is simple and easier to walk or climb upon and around with a heavily developed beautiful baby bump.
Furthermore, ensure the place offers a significant amount of privacy. This will make you feel more comfortable and confident to move your body as you wish and pose beautifully before the camera. It will also give you the chance to change clothes and take pictures in different styles and designs. However, we recommend using a tent like the Coleman Dome Tent to change during outdoor pregnancy photoshoots.
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Your Partner’s Preference
If you are in a relationship, ask your partner to know the sorts of styles and backgrounds they prefer. This will also help you find the best locations with ease.
Cost
The cost of a maternity photoshoot can vary greatly depending on how elaborate it is and where it takes place. The more elaborate the shoot, the higher the price tag will be. A professional photographer will charge you more for an outdoor session.
So, research to know how much maternity photographers charge for outdoor sessions in your locality and plan your budget accordingly. Otherwise, you might want to consider an indoor session.