Boston Maternity Photographer

Maternity Photography • Maternity Portraits Boston

Having a baby is one of the most special and memorable times of anyone’s life on its own, but making it even more memorable with maternity portraits is a great way to capture a moment in time that you’ll be able to look back on and smile for years to come. As a Boston maternity photographer, I love working with women who are practically glowing with happiness and love.

Whether you’re looking for photos of just mom-to-be, or couple photos with intimate, tasteful, loving shots of the ‘three’ of you, we can make it happen. There is no better time to remember a moment than when you’re pregnant.

We all know taking pictures of our babies and kids as they grow is important — so why not start before they even arrive? Maternity portraits are the ultimate keepsake for any parent, and a lovely way to announce a pregnancy. However you choose to use them, you’ll love the feeling of showing off the life you’ve created.

Tell me about your bump

I reply to every enquiry within 24 hours. Sessions start at $599, and your gallery is delivered within seven days. Tell me roughly how far along you are and what you have in mind.

“We recently hired him for a maternity photo session. Neither my husband or I are super comfortable getting our pictures taken professionally, but Mat immediately put us at ease. The pictures turned out stunning and he got us the digital proofs very quickly. His prices are incredibly reasonable given what he provides.”

★★★★★  Lorraine — Maternity session

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Recent maternity sessions

See more recent work on my photography blog.

Maternity Photography in Boston

If you’re looking for a photographer to capture your maternity perfectly, Mat Tam is an experienced professional who can ensure your cherished memories last. Service is friendly, unhurried, and will result in maternity portraits you’ll look back on fondly in years to come.

Mat will work with you to discover your ideas and personal taste before developing a photography session that suits your needs.

When is the best time to have my bump photographed?

Ideally, plan your maternity photo session between the 29th and 35th week of pregnancy. This is about the time when your baby bump is really beginning to show, yet before it starts to become uncomfortable taking part in a photo shoot.

If you’re a new mother, you’ll soon discover that weeks 29 to 35 are when you’ll feel good about being pregnant, and all those cute maternity clothes will fit perfectly. Once you enter months 7 to 9, issues like water retention, heartburn and hormonal skin changes can make a portrait session less comfortable.

As with all photo sessions, Mat takes a relaxed attitude to maternity shoots. Taking it slow and discovering exactly what you want to get out of your session is important, as is making sure you feel relaxed and happy. There are no fixed times, and never any rush to finish quickly.

You also don’t have to settle on one style of portrait. It’s always worth trying a few solo photos, shots from above, and including your partner too. Quite frequently a mother arrives with a style in mind and leaves with a completely different favourite.

About the maternity shoot session

These sessions take place in your own home, where you’ll feel most comfortable. Photography equipment takes up roughly two metres by two metres — worth bearing in mind if you live in a smaller home or apartment.

A common question is how comfortable you’ll feel in front of the camera. Mat will make sure you feel no pressure during the shoot, and you should feel free to discuss exactly what you’re comfortable with beforehand.

As a rule, a variety of scarves and wraps are brought along to help you stay covered, and as there are no time limits on the shoot, you can change outfits whenever you like.

Ten maternity photograph ideas

1. Hands on belly — a classic pose. Placing your hands on the bump draws attention to it and makes it the focal point of the photograph.
2. Additional height — shooting from slightly above flatters the figure and works especially well when both parents take part.
3. Natural poses — the most important thing in maternity photography is keeping it natural. Weird angles and quirky ideas are off the table.
4. Couples — if you’re photographing as a couple, being physically close matters. Nothing is warmer than two people holding each other with the bump subtly showing.
5. The straight-on shot — striking when the bump is far enough along to carry it.
6. Standing rather than sitting — standing is almost always more flattering for an expectant mother.
7. Lying down — gravity smooths things out, though it isn’t comfortable for everyone, especially with a larger bump.
8. Silhouette — timeless, and it draws attention to the shape while keeping things private.
9. Shadows — a bump is a perfect canvas. A “hand heart” shadow cast across it is a lovely, classic effect.
10. Holding hands — simple and warm, and a favourite for couples expecting their first child.

Maternity photography locations

1. At home — the most obvious choice, especially in a home you plan to raise your children in. That warmth always shows through.
2. In nature — even a local park makes a portrait feel classic and natural. The season becomes a time cue that takes you straight back years later.
3. The Charles River — a special part of Boston that makes for very natural-looking shots. Water has long been associated with life, and that reference is never lost in a pregnancy portrait.

Sensitivity

During pregnancy a lot can change in the way you think about your body. Mat completely understands this and has a range of approaches to make you feel more comfortable during your session.

You might feel perfectly fine when booking, then more private about your bump later in the pregnancy. That is completely normal, and something professional photographers deal with all the time. Never feel bad about pausing a shoot or changing your mind about a pose.

Mat always brings scarves, wraps, tops and fabrics so you can show as much or as little of your bump as you want. You should never feel exposed.

Feeling beautiful

This is possibly the most important part of a maternity photograph, and it’s exactly why booking weeks 29 to 35 helps so much.

Think about your clothing before the shoot and choose something that makes you feel like a beautiful mum-to-be. If you find yourself worrying about confidence, a spa day or having your hair styled on the morning of the session is never wasted.

What should I wear?

1. A belt — accessorises without overpowering, and pulls free-flowing fabric in to accentuate the bump. Worn just under the bust works best. Try it before the day.
2. Solid colour — solids let the bump read clearly where patterns fight it. If you want pattern, put it on your partner instead.
3. Fitted clothes — a maternity bodycon dress shows the curves beautifully if you feel confident in one.
4. Timeless over trendy — you’ll have these portraits for decades. A simple dress or well-fitted jeans ages far better than whatever is in vogue.
5. Chunky knits and texture — a superior alternative to pattern. Texture adds dimension without accentuating anything you’d rather it didn’t.
6. More than one outfit — bring a bolder option and a more covered one. How you feel on the day is rarely how you felt when booking.

Trust your photographer

If you’re considering a maternity session in the Boston area, Mat is the experienced professional you need. Let your photographer share their ideas, and never be afraid to let them try something. A professional photographer is an artist — letting them capture your moment their own way is often how you end up with the portrait you fall in love with.

Booking a pregnancy portrait in Boston

If you’re thinking of booking a professional photographer to capture your bump, take a look at my session prices and then get in touch to see how I can help.