Maternity Portrait Sessions - Nicola Muir Photography - Gosport Baby Photographer

There is nothing that I love more than cuddling a precious newborn baby during their Newborn Portrait Session... apart from when I get to meet that little baby before they are even earth side!

Starting my journey with my clients at their Maternity Portrait Session and being able to document their journey into parenthood from the start is so very special. As I get to meet, get to know and photograph this sweet pair whilst they are still just two people, before they become parents, or before they welcome another life into this world, and it's just such an exciting, transitional time for them and I LOVE being able to document that. There is just something so precious about sharing these moments with my clients, knowing that their worlds are about to change so very much and their hearts are about to grow fuller than they could ever imagine. 

​When you're expecting a baby, you may well find that all of your thoughts, emotions, plans and finances are based entirely around that little bundle, which is why booking a Maternity Session can sometimes get a little forgotten about or not necessarily prioritised. As parents and parents to-be you are already putting your unborn child's needs before your own, and of course you are! Focusing on yourself and carving out the time to do so can seem difficult when you have so much going on and all of your baby's needs are at the forefront of your minds.

When you start thinking about booking your photographer you'll, no doubt, be scrolling through social media cooing over those adorable newborn portraits, beautiful sleeping babies with those stinking cute back rolls and tiniest of toes, and we will get to that, in time.

​But right now, it's time for you.

It's time to celebrate you! Your love for each other and that fact that your incredible bodies made and are growing the next generation of your family. You guys are making another human! I will never get over how insanely wonderful and mind blowing that is!  

​​This is another reason why it is so important to book your Baby Photographer nice and early! It's not just so I have enough notice to get your due date booked into my busy schedule and to start planning the beautiful sets for your new baby's session, but also so we can make sure to get your Maternity Session booked in too! (Usually for when you are around 32+ weeks, by the way).

So when the sweet couple that feature in this blog contacted me to book in their Newborn Portrait Session one of the first things we chatted about was the option of creating a beautiful set of Maternity portraits too.

At first it was a fairly similar story, they hadn't really thought about documenting their pregnancy and were just thinking about their beautiful baby and capturing those adorable tiny baby portraits. And after chatting with this Mumma-to-be some more, she mentioned that she didn't feel very confident in front of the camera and was a little nervous about the idea of booking a Maternity Shoot. So, I gave her a little insight into what a beautiful pregnancy portrait session looks and feels like and also some of the reasons why I feel they are so very important.​

I explained that these portraits will become even more poignant after her 9 months are up and her nurturing body has completed it's task of creating life, and the memories of her bump have become, just that, a memory. And that these images will not only be an important documentation of this chapter in their family history, and a visual record of the start of their little girl's life, but they will also be so treasured by that little girl, once she is old enough to really appreciate and admire them.   

We discussed that their session could either take place in my cosy studio or at one of my many beautiful outdoors location and that she would have full use of the gorgeous items in my Maternity Wardrobe to wear for her portraits. And you know what, after discussing some ideas and totally putting her mind at ease about it all, this sweet pair ended up booking two sessions, one at the studio and one at one of my favourite outdoor locations! And the portraits we created together are just magic. 

Her first session took place in a beautiful Daisy Meadow with the most stunning late afternoon sunlight, along with her lovely man and doting Daddy-to-be. And the second session was a Bohemian inspired studio session, just for Mumma, which ended with some incredible and intimate nude portraits.

I am so so thankful that they trusted me to go ahead with the sessions and that she felt safe enough to let me capture such beautiful portraits of her incredible body and that precious baby bump.   

When I told this lovely lady that I was writing a blog about booking a Maternity Session with me which was going to feature portraits from their sessions, I asked if she would mind adding a few words about their experience. And this is what she had to say:

"When I first approached Nicola, I was expecting my first baby and was interested in booking a Newborn Photoshoot. However, she convinced me in to doing not only one but two Maternity Shoots, one in the studio and one in the Daisy Meadows. As somebody who didn't feel very confident pregnant and hid my bump a lot, this was something that was very out of my comfort zone, yet, on the day, Nicola made me feel so comfortable and confident. She captured some beautiful pictures of both me and my partner that I will treasure forever. Now that my baby girl is here, I look back on my Maternity photos in absolute awe of my pregnant body and what it achieved and I am so grateful to have them."

​When I photograph Mums to be and brand new parents, I totally get that you may not be feeling yourselves, that you are probably in some discomfort, not to mention no doubt sleep deprived, plus you may be feeling completely unfamiliar and self conscious with the changes going on with your bodies, so the thought of getting in front of the camera, and posing can be quite daunting. But, please be rest assured, whether you are in my lovely photography studio or at one of my gorgeous outdoor locations, whenever you are with me and in front of my camera, you are in safe hands. It is a safe space, full of support, kindness and with your own little cheerleader!

I am completely in awe of my amazing clients and the journeys they and their bodies have been on in the lead up to our meeting and there is nothing I want to do more than capture the pure joy and love you both have for that precious life that you have created. And as far as 'posing' goes, all you have to do is love on your sweet baby, and you are already nailing that! 

More information about my Maternity Portrait Sessions can be found right here!
Ready to book?? Pop over to the Contact page and let's chat!