Baby-Bump Photography

Contemporary and Creative Maternity Images

by Rochelle Riservato

Posted: August 15, 2012

Fabric draped on the baby bump is fashionably appealing, yet not too revealing.

Time was when a woman 'with child' covered up one of the most fabulous parts of her body at a most incredible time in her life. It was almost taboo to reveal a growing tummy. Clothing was designed to camouflage the protrusion, as if it were something to be silent about or hidden. But that trend has changed. Gone are fashions by Omar-the-tent-maker. Today you’ll more likely find a tight, camouflage tank top smoothly hugging what is now endearingly called the 'baby bump,' or even a bikini baring it to the world.

One person who changed the public perception of the pregnant woman was Lucille Ball. The I Love Lucy series was one of the first television shows revealing a pregnancy. Yet, as Lucy comically waddled off-balanced, her fashions always concealed the reason why. According to a biography of Ball, CBS executives insisted the word "expecting" be substituted for "pregnant." The seven episodes which were planned around Ball’s actual due date ended with a record viewer rating, with more viewers tuning in to witness the fictional Lucy Ricardo give birth than had seen Eisenhower's inauguration. Lucille Ball broke the barrier and set the pace for those who dared to follow.

Fast forward to August 1991, four decades later, when portrait shooter Annie Leibovitz’s famous (or infamous) photo of a bare-bellied, pregnant Demi Moore graced the cover of Vanity Fair. Actually “graced” was not exactly the word people were expressing, some used words more like “grotesque” and “obscene.”  However over the past 21 years there have been a long string of copycats of this pose, from models Cindy Crawford and Claudia Schiffer to singers Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears.

With the growing popularity of celebrity baby-bump photos (if you Google it, you can find hundreds of images), ordinary moms-to-be want to memorialize this remarkable occasion in their lives and photographers are most happy to oblige.

Using tiny baby sneakers as a prop adds a novel twist of whimsy.

How to Shoot the Baby Bump

Having done quite a few pregnant-mother shoots, I’ve discovered ways to show love, pride, and anonymity (if desired), resulting in a creative and beautiful pictorial of the baby bump.

The Right Exposure:

• In this case, I’m not speaking of any technical photographic setting. You must first discuss how much your subject wishes to reveal—to expose. Some moms-to-be prefer wearing clothing that captures the curved silhouette. They may not be totally comfortable with belly-baring, and that’s fine. Your goal is to capture them in whatever way makes them feel comfortable and proud. Tight-fitting tees or even a piece of sheer fabric can do the trick without showing bare skin.
• Ask if mom wants her face in the photo, and if not, you can shoot a cropped composition—perhaps just starting with a portion of her face down or just body landscapes of her baby bump from different angles.
• A silhouette provides perfect anonymity, and placing the mom by a sun-lit window will result in a creative and beautiful shadowed outline.

• Using big sister in the photo shoot invites a loving relationship--and produces a beautiful pictorial.

  There hasn’t been one baby-bump shoot that I’ve done that was without another family member—especially the father-to-be.  But I’ve also been asked to include the family pet or the soon-to-be big sister or brother. Taking photos with others translates into a family event where everyone feels like a significant part of the process.
• Showing the love between the couple is easily captured at this time and posing them needs little direction. Look for natural hugs, subtle exchange of caring glances and adulation for the baby and each other. You just have to be ready to shoot and seize the emotion.
• The use of hands is ideal and presents a wonderfully expressive and intimate way to create a loving visual. Whether just the mother’s hands making a heart over her baby bump or both the parents’ hands intertwined as they embrace their little bundle. And of course, there’s the ever-traditional pose with the mom’s hands under the baby bump in a gentle caress.
• Siblings can be posed with both parents—all focusing a loving glance on the baby bump.  Or the child can be the central subject while hugging, kissing or touching the belly as if listening for the sweet sounds of their future sibling.
• When it comes to the family pet, perhaps the first 'child' of the couple, they can be included by snuggling up with mom, both parents or even a comical paws- or nose-to-belly pose.

Creative Props and Scenes:

• Including Dad is a MUST--Here he is after setting up baby blocks spelling his son's name.

  Expectant parents are often very relaxed and inventive with this type of photo shoot. They’re open to many different ways to make the images unique. One couple had baby blocks with the letters of their son’s name placed on mom’s belly. The same couple's love of the beach had them using seashells on mom's belly, as well as a starfish casting a shadow!
• You can bring props with you or ask the couple if they have something in mind. One dad was a soccer coach, so he balanced a miniature soccer ball on the mom’s baby bump —that shot was a winner!
• Tie a ribbon with the due date on a tag around the expectant mom’s belly for a really innovative photo.
• Shooting outdoors provides myriad ways to be creative… combining nature with biology is a natural! Experiment with shots utilizing leafy shadows cast upon the  baby bump or have mom peak around a tree with the bump protruding past the trunk.

Hearts and hands creatively transform the visual into a loving memory.

There are so many ways to make a baby-bump shoot a fun and enjoyable event for all. The shots you take will be a memorial to a unique and very special time.

Rochelle Riservato is a journalist & photographer who has a degree in marketing and advertising from SUNY Farmingdale. For the past three decades she’s worked for many local and national publications. She was recently the recipient of an Outstanding Journalist/Media Presenter Award from the New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers (NYSAFLT). Her photography has been showcased at Gallery 128 in Manhattan, The D&H Canal House Museum, and several Kingston, NY galleries. She photographs weddings, actor portraits, events and family portraitures. Her artistry can be seen at www.photosbyrochelle.com and she can be contacted via email at fotoro49@gmail.com.