My first maternity shoot

My sister is having a baby June 26th scheduled c. She was kind enough to let me practice and have enough patience while I learned. I was disappointed that my husband wouldn't let me practice lighting his belly before hand , no matter how much I begged.
Anyway, here are 2 of my favs.

I am dying to do a maternity shoot! I love the tenderness in the first shot. They look like they are ever so gently cradling their little one. When the baby is born, it would be neat to recreate the shot with the actual baby replacing the baby bump in the picture.

Nice shots. My two best friends' wives (tongue twister) are due, one in August and the next in October. I asked them to let me practice these type of shots.

So I ask you, what type of lighting you used, and how did you get the black background?

I have 1 ab800 angled from behind pointing forward with a strip 10/36 strip box gridded. The black is really dark because the light was angled foreward.
I used the modeling light and moved it around until i lit just the edge of her belly.

Nice session with your lovely sister. Fave is the first.