Ideas for Water Maternity Photos
My warmer season moms ALWAYS want water maternity photos! There is just something both ethereal and sexy about taking maternity photos in the water. we usually end an outdoor maternity session with cool dip of the toes in the water. We go in as far as personal comfort allows, and obviously this is highly dependent on water level itself as well. The river edge is also a nice place to do some fabric tosses, since once the fabric is wet it will no longer be able to be thrown.
It is essential to find a location that has enough ambient light but with some cover from direct sun. I prefer rivers to something like the beach, where there is really no open shade and you are more limited to golden hour. With a river, we can sometimes work around this time frame since there is open shade from the tree tops. This is not to say that every river location works as many streams are very dark in nature due to their surrounding landscapes.
Sometimes we have lower water levels and can sit on the pebbly edge or inlets that show up mid-stream. Other times, the water is deeper and we can wade in a little more. I’ve had moms lay down completely in the water, and rest themselves up against big boulders.
Maternity sessions that include a toddler can also end on a fun note in the water with some splashing, or a mom cuddle with her oldest straddling the belly.
Colors for water maternity photos
Because of the green colors and natural reflections of the water, vivid colors look absolutely AMAZING in the water for maternity. The punchy, bright tones can create gorgeous reflections in the water, or even tie in to peeking autumnal tones once the leaves start changing.
Neutrals also look quite breathtaking for water maternity photos, for more of an ethereal feel. Just look at this mom in the golden shimmery fabric perched on the rocks!
Tips for taking maternity photos in the river
It is essential to consider mom’s comfort and safety in any location. With moving water, this is two-fold.
- Don’t go into water you can’t physically see the bottom of. You want to see where you are stepping, to make sure all participants have footing.
- Water should be clean running water, no stagnant murky water for obvious reasons.
- Avoid strong currents – and heavy dresses or fabrics. Wet heavy garments, strong current, combined with deeper water, and even someone with good swimming ability can be overtaken by the wet fabric dragging, covering them, and create a danger of drowning. This has happened with brides in wedding gowns. For a maternity session in the water, we are generally in a tiny bit of fabric, and ankle to calf deep- sometimes mid thigh, but in slow moving water.
- Proper footwear. River beds with sediment, rocks, and moving water can be slippery. I always encourage moms to wear a water shoe, or sneaker that will give them more stability and footing in the water. And also prevent them from any scrapes or cuts against anything sharp.
Sofia Ribeiro Photography is an NJ Maternity photographer, serving Union, Morris, Sussex, Bergen, Monmouth, and Middlesex counties in the North and Central New Jersey. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram & Facebook!
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