A maternity session was not something I gave enough weight when I was pregnant with my first. I knew it was important to me, hell, I had a degree in photography. I knew photos were a meaningful investment. but for some reason, it didn’t click how much I may end up regretting not getting the session that I really wanted. If I’d had my photography business back then, I’d have done some things differently!

I fell pregnant in 2019 with my first and was due January 2020. I had an idea of what I wanted my maternity session to be. In our house, on our bed, with my own sheets and doona that I had picked out and were ‘me’, in my own clothes that showed my belly and were natural and casual. I wanted candid photos, not awkwardly posed images.

I ended up “winning” a session with a studio photography company and just had to pay for the images I wanted. Great. Expenses were high what with having to buy all the new baby items, pram, car seat, cot, clothes, etc etc. so I thought it was perfect. They asked what I envisioned for my maternity session and I told them.

This is where, through no fault of their own, our visions did not match up. This was on me. They were a studio company. They specialised in using lighting equipment in a studio environment where they provide outfits and pose you. This was not the natural, authentic vibe I wanted, but because I had won the session, I felt I’d be silly not to do it.

The photographer assured me we could do a ‘natural, cosy bed session’ and I could choose an outfit to wear or wear my own clothes. There was a fold out bed set up with plain sheets and a variety of body suits to choose from that were tight around the bump. Beautiful lace body suits, but not anything I had really envisioned. Not my own personal bed or casual clothing.

During the session I was told where to put my hands, where to look, how to hold my chin and my eyes. It was all beautifully curated but it didn’t feel like me. The resulting images were not anything I feel comfortable sharing, simply because they just aren’t a true representation of me. During a time that I was so in touch with myself, my body, mind and spirit while growing a whole person inside of me, it just didn’t communicate that in the way I wanted.

I don’t regret the photos. But it definitely gave me a lot to consider when starting my Perth photography business and how I work with my families. I never wanted a pregnant mum-to-be to walk away feeling like her true self was suppressed or not captured to her full potential. I wanted my focus to be on relationships and candid, authentic moments. I wanted to give my clients a space to speak about what they actually want to get from their session, provide inspiration pictures and have options of where their photos take place.

My next maternity session with my second baby was 100% what I had wanted all along. I’m sad I didn’t get that with my first, but I do know that experience is what led me to create as better client experience within my business and for that I am grateful.

It also taught me that not every family is the right fit for me. I will only work with families that I know are looking for my style of candid, natural and authentic photography for Perth families. I don’t want to pretend I specialise in anything other than that because I don’t. These are your memories and you should be in charge of how you capture them.

If my style sounds like your vibe, get in touch and let’s book your next session.