Colorado Springs Maternity Photographer | Photo of the Day for Friday, May 8th, 2009

I loved working with these parents who are expecting a little boy in early May. 

Read information about selecting a maternity photographer, and visit my website to see more examples of my maternity photography: www.ashleyphotography.com.

Colorado Springs Pregnancy Photography | Photo of the Day for Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Here's an artsy-looking image from a pregnancy session I had a couple days ago. I had such a great time with this mom-to-be. It's a pretty cool having a job where I get to spend my days hanging out with new, interesting people, all while creating some beautiful artwork for them. 

Ashley Photography

www.ashleyphotography.com

Colorado Springs Pregnancy Photographer | Photo of the Day for Friday, April 10, 2009

Here's a wonderful maternity image I created earlier this week. I love how the fabric flows across the mother's pregnant figure, emphasizing her curves in such a soft, feminine way.

Ashley Photography

www.ashleyphotography.com

Colorado Springs Maternity Photographer: Photo of the Day for Thursday, February 12, 2009

I think this is one of the more unique and interesting shots I've done over the years. I call it "Just Hatched." Since entering it in print competition with the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) I've seen it duplicated by other photographers, and have even been told that it was going to be featured on the Photovision DVD's. I didn't ever post this image online before entering it in competition because I didn't want anyone else to beat me to the punch with the idea. The parents had told me that they were going to be bringing in the mom's belly cast from her pregnancy, and I spent some time looking for ideas online, but came up short on good ideas. The dad, I believe, had the idea of nailing the belly cast to the table, so that's what we did -- put down the black cloth, put the belly cast on top of that, and then nailed it down so that it would stay upright. I lit it from the side and from the back to give it more dimension and to preserve the texture of the belly cast. Straight-on lighting would have washed out all the texture. It's sort of a maternity and newborn shot all in one!

www.ashleyphotography.com

Colorado Springs Baby Photographer

Colorado Springs Maternity Photographer | Photo of the Day for Monday, February 9, 2009

Lots of maternity sessions here at the studio lately! 

www.ashleyphotography.com

Colorado Springs Maternity Photographer | Photo of the Day for Saturday, February 7, 2009

Here's a fun shot from a recent maternity photo session. 

www.ashleyphotography.com

Pregnancy Photography Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs Maternity Photographer: Photo of the Day for Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Here's a cute expecting couple who I photographed earlier this week. While most of my maternity photos have the mom's belly exposed, I think it can also be nice to have shots in regular clothes. These are the type of photos that one would be more comfortable sharing with the great-grandparents, for example, and this is how most people will see a woman during her pregnancy. Just something to consider if you are in the market for pregnancy photos.

www.ashleyphotography.com

Colorado Springs maternity photographer

Choosing a Maternity Photographer

Selecting a photographer to capture your pregnancy is an important decision. Once the baby's here, you can't go back and redo the shots if you didn't like them, so you need to get it right the first time. It can be tough enough scheduling maternity photos since you may be working until the baby arrives, and taking time off to have a photo session means time you won't get to take off with the baby. So you don't want to have to do it twice!

Maternity photography is different from other portraiture, in that the photographer's skills with both posing and lighting make an even greater difference in the final images. The right pose and the right lighting greatly influence how good you'll look in your photos. Many pregnant women are a bit self-conscious about the extra weight they've put on, and good lighting can greatly minimize any weight gain. The right posing helps with that a lot, too. An inexperienced photographer may pose you in a way that is anything but flattering. Look for lighting that sculpts the curves of the pregnant form, avoiding photographers whose lighting is even and flat in their maternity portraits.

You'll also want to work with a photographer who respects the degree of modesty with which you are comfortable. Talk with the photographer about the types of photographs you want, and find out in advance if they are willing to work with you on that, or if they have certain notions about the photographs that might make you uncomfortable. Don't select a photographer who insists on photographing you in the nude if you're not comfortable with that! The curves of the nude pregnant body are beautiful, and can be photographed in a way that you will not be uncomfortable sharing with others, but it needs to be your choice. You want to have a good level of comfort with your photographer, as it would be great to build a relationship with someone who could then go on to photograph your baby once he or she arrives.

See more samples of Mary Lynne's maternity photography at: www.ashleyphotography.com. Mary Lynne is a professional photographer specializing in babies, children, families and pregnant mothers in her downtown Colorado Springs studio.