Bay Area Maternity Photography

Many women sit for a portrait when they're pregnant and that naturally makes up a large percentage of my portrait work. If you're checking out maternity photographers around the San Francisco Bay Area you've probably seen a lot of the same shots over and over again. Perhaps you're looking for something a bit different?

If maternity portraits more like the ones below appeal to you, and if you're in the San Francisco Bay Area (specifically I'm in the east bay), we should talk. I'm a professional fine art photographer who also does a certain amount of portrait photography including maternity photography. Just see my FAQ for portrait work and when you contact me let me know it's a maternity shoot and your due date - if nothing else it's a factor in scheduling!

Here's a couple of FAQs that are more maternity related so I'll put them here.

Q: Do the shots have to be nude?
A: With maternity shoots it's even more common than with a regular portrait session to maybe get some full nude shots, some implied nude shots, and a clothed shot or two. People might want different shots to show their immediate family, friends, or their boss and there's no reason not to do everything all at once. What I don't do is drape a lot of fabric around everything but the belly. My implied nudes are actually of nude people, it's just that with a little careful thought to angles and posing we can cover up any areas of concern without it looking forced or unnatural.

Q: Can we do a sequence over a few months? Are there discounts?
A: If you approach me with that in mind from the start, we can work something out. The idea is that the first shoot we'll figure out the lighting and pose or pose sequence, and that the later shoots will be quick and therefore have less of a sitting fee. But if you just want a whole new shoot with different lighting I don't currently have a return discount.

Q: Do you do shoots with children as well?
A: Sometimes, typically only when they're pretty young (think "infant" not "toddler"). Ask for details but as a rule of thumb if they can run around my studio that probably isn't the safest place for them. Luckily the gear necessary to take a basic infant portrait is pretty portable so it's a bit easier to do that on location than most things.

Q: Will you come to me?
A: Yes, but we'll need to spend more time up front discussing specifically what you want. I understand that a lot of women can't get around very well in the last stages of pregnancy (which is why I try to schedule it before that happens!). But at the same time it's not quick or easy to move most studio gear, and there has to be a place to put things. But if you have some nice room to shoot in or perhaps an elegant staircase and I just need to bring a light or two that's easier. Also some of the more dramatic backlit shots really don't require much space or gear - it's more in how you use it. You'll just have to tell me what you want, where you live, and I'll send you a quote. Basically the more you know what you want the better this works, because if I show up with the gear to to X and Y and you suddenly decide you want Z it's not going to go well.

Q: What's the ideal time to do a maternity shoot?
A: Of course every pregnancy is different but personally my favorite time is around 30 weeks simply because any extra inches past that point don't look that different photographically and many women start to tire more and more easily as they progress much past that point. But if you're already past that point and feel up for a shoot, that's great! I've shot women within days of their due date, it's just if we have the luxury of planning ahead it's not my preference. Wouldn't you hate to get put on bedrest a week before you're supposed to get your maternity shots done? And while I can usually scramble and fit in a last minute maternity shoot obviously it's not always possible.

Q: Can I see some examples?
A: Below you can see some maternity shots I've taken. I don't get to take maternity shots that I can actually share as often as I'd like - usually people want their privacy and there aren't that many pregnant models at any given time - so you might also want to check out my general-purpose portfolio so you can see some more lighting options.