Pregnant Pause - Documenting Moms-to-Be Through Maternity Photography
by: Erin M. Blakemore for photographik



It's official - America is obsessed with pregnancy. A mini baby boom is underway, and it shows - from the covers of the tabloids speculating about the latest celeb "baby bump" to the growing availability of chic maternity wear. Photographers have kept pace with this growing trend, and maternity photography - photos taken of pregnant mothers and new babies - is the new kid on the block.

Pregnancy is notoriously uncomfortable and stressful. So what would drive a new mom-to-be to take to the lens before she gives birth? For Christina Wainwright, who had trouble conceiving, the answer was simple. "I knew this might be my only pregnancy, and I was determined to document it." So two weeks before giving birth to her new daughter, Grace, she stepped in front of Amy Hawkes' camera. "It was incredible," she says, noting that she loved her pregnancy pictures so much, she engaged Hawkes, who owns Boston-based Click Imagery, to document her child's first year.

"Moms want to remember that special moment before birth, not the delivery," says Hawkes, whose first major photo project documented the pregnancy of a close friend. "Since Demi Moore's pregnant photograph appeared in Vanity Fair, people have definitely been embracing pregnancy more and more. Maternity photography is an extension of that. It's also a chance for a mom to feel beautiful and relaxed before she gives birth." Clare Marie, a Seattle-based maternity photographer, agrees. "Maternity photos are inherently artful and timeless."

What can clients expect at a maternity photo shoot? It depends on the photographer, but expect all eyes to be on that burgeoning belly. Hawkes insists on shooting mothers who are as full-term as possible, traveling to her clients to get the perfect shot. Clare Marie shoots in-home and on location, recalling a fun photo shoot in the woods. Both photographers note that a maternity photo shoot can be a great chance for a mom-to-be to put aside body image issues and focus on the power of her pregnant body. "Women really use these shoots as a chance to celebrate their bodies," says Clare Marie. "Most women, pregnant or not, struggle with insecurities around their bodies. These photo shoots are a way to make peace with some of those issues."

Wainwright, who has struggled with weight, agrees. "Amy was really responsive and comforting," she notes. "I was a bit nervous about my body, but she was great about taking pictures from flattering angles and putting me at ease. Everyone's comfort level with nudity will be different. Remember, they're your pictures."

What keeps photographers coming back for more maternity photos? For Hawkes, it's the clients. "Lots of brides and portrait clients tend to be nitpicky and insecure. With pregnancy, people don't know what to expect. Their bodies mesmerize me, and I get the chance to show them what a beautiful being they really are." Not a bad way to document one of life's most profound processes.

DISCLAIMER : The views expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent the views of photographik or any member of the photographik organization.