My First Maternity Shoot!

[RSphoto]

Hey Everyone!

Well today I had the pleasure of doing my first Maternity shoot, for some very close friends of mine. I researched until my head was about to explode about ideas, and tips. Thank god for POTN lol That is all I have to say!

Anyways I took about 80 shots total, 30 turned out great. I don't know if that is a good ratio or not lol.

Shot these with my Canon EOS 30D, 50mm f/1.8, 18-55 kit lens, and only one of my Vivitar 285HV's

I did this shoot for free, I was just happy someone asked me to do their photos for them.

Im sure I will have alot more of these shoots popping up, as a lot of my friends are having babies. Could you please let me know if im doing anything wrong, maybe give me some tips and some critique on my shots?

I would definitely appreciated it!

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj95/rs-photography/IMG_6987.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj95/rs-photography/IMG_6994.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj95/rs-photography/IMG_6998.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj95/rs-photography/IMG_7020.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj95/rs-photography/IMG_7034.jpg

[MacBailey]

Congratulations on your first Maternity shoot.

Maternity photos can be beautiful and it is a special time for the Mom and Dad to be. For me when I do maternity shots I like to bring as much attention to the coming child as I can.

The first three are to busy in the background. I would consider moving the couple closer for that type shot in the first photo. You may consider a different location so as not to compete with your subjects. I like the silhouette idea but they look to disconnected. The last one has potential but study how people stand when together. A couple of adjustments and it would be greatly improved. The guy may be standing there with one hand in his pocket but I don't think the girl would. She looks unnatural. Again the closeness is missing she should be touching him wiht her left hand and maybe turned a bit more toward him. But for closeness sake he should not have his hand in his pocket... there needs to be some body language saying how much they love each other.. getting close but now quite there. Study the image and view other ones and get a feel for creating closeness and natural look.

I hope I don't sound critical because I am not trying to be. You have a good start now study them and refine them. It is exciting to learn. Good luck on your many more shoots.

Mac

[RSphoto]

Thanks a million Mac! Greatly appreciated information and suggestions! Maybe on another nice day, i will get them together and reshoot. Just for the hell of it.

Thanks again!

[MacBailey]

Rylan,

As long as they are willing to let you experiment with them go for it. Try and develop a style and feel that works for you. These type of photos can be great when done right.

Keep on practicing.. oh well after 30 years I still practice actually it seems that most of my shoots are still practicing.

Good luck,
Mac

[RSphoto]

Well I gave the photos to them, They LOVED them. They were so happy with the way the turned out. They even printed them out, and they're still happy with them.

As long as they love them, I am happy!

[LylasMama]

very cute!! I will be posting from my first maternity shoot probably tomorrow when i get the chance to upload and edit. I did it for a family friend as well. I hope they will like what i do with them! It is very nerve wracking doing these shoots for me because I just want the people i do them for to like them as much as i do lol!

[RSphoto]

I know exactly what you mean, I was worried they weren't going to turn out well. This was my first shoot using off camera flash too lol I was nervous the whole time.

[LindsayBrynn]

Nice job for a first maternity shoot. Just like everything else you'll get more comfortable with more practice. It would be cool if they let you practice with them again.