Lighting for Maternity pics - Need Help

[huntersdad]

As my wife is pregnant with our first child, she is already on me about getting some maternity pics as she grows. I'm shooting a 50d and for lighting I have a Sigma 530 (master only) and Yongnou 460 (works as a slave). I have no light stands, umbrellas, softboxes or anything else.

The only room I have to use is the nursery. The useable space is roughly 5ft wide by 7 ft deep with 12 foot vaulted ceilings (space constrictions due to a large crib, recliner and dresser). There is a huge window, which can provide some great natural lighting, especially late in the afternon. I am going to pick up a black (and possibly white) backdrop.

What else should I look at picking up? I've thought about a monolight and umbrella but not sure if it needed or not.

Someone guide me please. Really want these to be special for her as we never thought she would get pregnant - we had started adopting (and will continue) but that's a separate story.

[teelicious]

I did my own maternity pics and all I did was use a white backdrop and a utility lamp down by our feet.
Sorry it's not the best copy of the pic but you get the feel... Have fun with it, it doesn't have to even be on a back drop....
One cool one we did was we took a picture of my belly with my iPhone then I took a picture of me holding out the phone while kissing my hubby... the focus was on the belly picture on the phone, turned out really cool.... be CREATIVE, that makes for the best pics!


http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh64/teeliciousdesigns/Picture11-1.png

[misssassylassy]

I used a white sheet over my window here and had her stand in front of it
These are all natural light

http://i48.tinypic.com/34njhoi.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/2hyucf8.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/108iqup.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/29e21iq.jpg

[Lightworks Imaging]

The white sheet over the window is an interesting idea. Very clever. Unfortunately, it's doesn't allow for a full body shot, including the feet. Not really important here, but in other situations wouldn't work for my shoots... I still prefer to use my black muslin. My speedlights allow for creative light, that I still can't seem to get with ambient lighting... These examples were shot with a single 430EX, bare with a single full cut of CTO.

http://lightworks414.smugmug.com/People/AMR-Maternity/IMG2262-Edit/660133767_8T6ry-L.jpg (http://lightworks414.smugmug.com/People/AMR-Maternity/9747646_E24oC#660133767_8T6ry-A-LB)

http://lightworks414.smugmug.com/People/AMR-Maternity/IMG2294-Edit/660141581_wxkWw-L.jpg (http://lightworks414.smugmug.com/People/AMR-Maternity/9747646_E24oC#660141581_wxkWw-A-LB)

Smug Mug leaves weird artifacts, in the shadows...

[rocksmysox]

You should be fine with the lights and space you have (although it will be tight). I did my own maternity pics as well, and had a small space too. I really like doing the white sheet in front of the window (especially since you said it gives great light) that will probably be your easiest backdrop. Aside from those.. you could do her sitting in a chair next to the window for light.. and perhaps one in front of the crib, since you are using the nursery anyway, use it to your advantage! Good luck and Congrats! Don't forget to share after you do the shoot! :) Here are a few examples of mine:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2706/4416610633_792a12c59f.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2706/4416610633_792a12c59f.jpg)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4443876609_353e9dac13.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2780/4431407288_3868dc749e.jpg

[Sereia]

I used a white sheet over my window here and had her stand in front of it

I love your work:)

Now, I am portuguese and didn't quite uderstand what you mean by "over the window", do you mean in front of the window like a background?
Thank you!

[misssassylassy]

I love your work:)

Now, I am portuguese and didn't quite uderstand what you mean by "over the window", do you mean in front of the window like a background?
Thank you!
yes cover the window with the sheet and have your model stand in front of it so the window is behind them and you are shooting towards it

[Sereia]

yes cover the window with the sheet and have your model stand in front of it so the window is behind them and you are shooting towards it

Thank you Sarah:)!
But she had another source of natural light in front of her, didn't she?

[misssassylassy]

no not in front of her the ceiling is Corrigated PVC so it lets in lots of light