HAUTE MOMMA: MATERNITY BOUDOIR
Those curves are made for boudoir. What an amazing thing to help boost an expecting momma’s confidence in her temporary body. Having someone trust you with such a vulnerable and exposing session is a big deal. It’s a great way to build a client bond. You can shoot these in your studio or in the client’s home. Make it a day of pampering and upsell them on hair and makeup services. They will enjoy the experience and look finished for the shoot. Encourage them to have a date night afterward since they will look so fabulous. This is a great promo for those colder months when you are not able to shoot outside. It adds a new element to your portfolio.
Here are four things to give you a head start on fantastic maternity boudoir sessions.
- Bring in the bling.
If you have a large unbroken, undefined skin surface, it will look large and heavy. So if you have a momma doing boudoir and you have her baby bump bare and front and center, chances are she will not like how large she looks. You have to use things to give the belly shape and cut the size. It doesn’t have to be a bulky piece of fabric. Just giving some defining lines and focal points will do the trick. She will feel superstar-gorgeous and love that it pushes her outside her normal box. Collect pieces from the clearance aisle, Amazon, anywhere you find them. Having them at your studio is a great bonus.
- Keep your hands off.
- Free the girls.
Always ask your clients how much they are comfortable showing. I never start off with these poses in the beginning. Work up to it. I gauge clients’ comfort level and trust, and can usually convince them to do at least a couple of artistic nude poses. I reassure them that if they don’t like them, they don’t have to choose those poses at the viewing, but we should at least shoot a few and see how it goes. Hands down, it’s always one of the top 10 at the end of the day.
- Light the shit out of it.
Be in Control
You must have a plan. Guide your clients in choosing wardrobe. Do not be afraid to tell them no. Wardrobe pieces are important and you are the professional. Do your job and tell them what would be best. One-piece stretch garments are understated but photograph wonderfully. The texture of lace on the belly is a great detail to capture, and Mom will feel comfortable starting in something more conservative.Be Reassuring
We are asking a lot for an expecting momma to bare it all. Guide her in her posing. Tell her she is doing great. Show her images as you shoot so she can see how beautiful she looks. You will see her confidence and trust grow, which will show in the images. If she is self-conscious about stretch marks, remind her of your editing process. Use her concerns to show her how much you care. It will mean a lot.Pay Attention
The small stuff matters. Slow down and check her head to toe, down to how she is breathing. It will show. Foot flexed the right way. Hand placement. Chin. Hair. Lipstick. Fingers. It all builds to the perfect image. Do it right. Watch for fatigue. It’s hard work when you are packing a human being in your midsection. Give her breaks. Watch for Charlie horses. Work efficiently so you don’t keep her in a pose for too long. Ask her how she is doing. Offer water. Be there for her.Now you have shot a killer sexy momma shoot. So how do I sell it? The same as you would a boudoir. Think about how they will use these images. Books are perfect. I always sell a book. It’s private, secure, no fear of one finding its way out of the house by accident, and it’s a great experience for the individual viewing the images. All those little detail shots you took, the bits and pieces, artistic abstracts and anonymous body parts, will complement each other wonderfully on the pages of a beautifully designed book or album. Encourage wall portrait sales by shooting images with specific groupings in mind.
People struggle to visualize what to do with their images, which can kill the sale. Shoot to sell. Show to sell. You have no excuses now. Get out there. Market. Shoot. Sell these amazing sessions to add a great feature to your business. The sexy mommas are out there waiting for you.
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