Maternity Session for a friend..I’ll almost do anything for a friend
I know I know…those that have known me for years are in shock. But yes, I did photograph a maternity session. But this unexpected photographic deed wasn’t just for anyone. The maternity session was for a friend for almost 10 years. Yes, it took a friend in need for me to even consider a maternity session. At first, similar to wedding photography, i didn’t see much creative freedom. Then when I realized that it wasn’t necessary to conform to the traditional way to photograph a wedding or a maternity session, I was game. Well below is my first attempt at Maternity photography. Let me know what you think.
IMAGE BREAKDOWN: For this maternity session image, I had my friend lean to the camera right of the doorway to the kitchen with her left hand to the side of her head and her right hand pressing to the side of her belly. If this image communicates to you a healthy sexy caring mother anticipating the birth of her child, then I reached my goal in telling the story through this image.
TECHNICAL: 2 lights = Two mono lights:
One mono light with a 7-inch reflector pointing directly to the back of the mother to be to provide a slight edge light to her head, upper body and edge of her belly camera right for separation and illuminate the kitchen to bring attention to the rice cooker.
One mono light with a bare reflector camera left a foot above the mother’s head to use as fill and to provide a catch light in her eyes. Eyes are very important in telling the story and catch lights are great to bring attention to them. With the positioning of the light , I also eliminated any unnecessary shadows and actually use the shadows to outline her hand on the belly.
IMAGE BREAKDOWN: For this maternity session image, I had my friend wear a motorcycle helmet and get on a motorcycle. I asked her to grab onto the handle bar with her right hand as she supported her back with her left hand. I wanted to make sure her left hand was out of the way to avoid too much clutter to the right of the frame. If this image communicates to you a ruff rider mommy, then i did my job.
TECHNICAL: 2 lights = Sun & One mono light :
The Sun was primarily used as an edge light and to create necessary shadows to show dimension.
One mono light with a bare reflector camera right at eye level used as the main and to over power the sun to closely match the background exposure with my subject’s exposure.
My intention of including the image breakdown and technical details below my images is to educate non-photography viewers in how to look at an image and determine if an image is technically correct.
If you think about it, I am looking out for both of our interests. You the photography consumer will be able to tell the difference between a technically good photograph and a technically poor photograph. My hope is that this information will provide you with the knowledge in selecting a photographer that understands the Art and the equipment opposed to a photographer that shoots primarily on automatic and ends up over exposing or under exposing the image.