You are pregnant and although you may be feeling a bit drained from, oh I don’t know… growing a human!! Hopefully you are also feeling full of wonder and gratitude with how amazing your body is. Naturally, you want to capture this special time with a photoshoot.

So, what’s the best choice when planning your maternity photoshoot–in studio or outdoors?

There are definitely pros and cons to both, but the first thing you want to ask yourself is which style are you most drawn to? It’s so simple, but take inventory of your thoughts and emotions when looking for inspiration. When you are looking at maternity photographs, do you feel more connected and inspired by maternity shots in a studio or ones shot outside?

After you know what you’re more drawn to, then consider the benefits and disadvantages to both in studio and on location photography.

It is my personal preference as a photographer to shoot in my Atlanta studio for maternity sessions.

A few benefits to shooting in studio are:

• We can control the elements. No worrying about rain, wind, heat, or cold temperatures. If you live in the Southeast of the US, you know how unpredictable our weather can be. In studio, we are able to keep everyone comfortable. Also, hair is always better indoors. If we need wind in the hair, we have fans for that!
• Ideal light no matter what time. If we were shooting outside, we would have to shoot either early morning or right before sunset for the best light.
• Privacy! A lot of my mamas are interested in semi-nude or implied nude photos. The studio offers the privacy needed for these looks.
• It is much easier and more comfortable having your hair and makeup done inside. You’ll be sitting for at least a hour for hair and makeup (which is included in my packages).
• All the gear we need is there. If decide to play or experiment, we don’t have to worry about not having a piece of equipment or certain color backdrop. It will be there in the studio with us.
• No searching for place to go to the restroom. That baby can sometimes be pressing on the bladder, so we want you to be able to go when you need to go.
• Style and feel. If you are wanting a more modern, magazine feel to your photographs, I think studio is the way to go.
• We are able to shoot a greater number of looks when we are indoors because we aren’t spending time looking for and walking to and from a changing area.

I may be a bit biased, but the only real benefit to shooting outside is the backdrop potential. Not that that isn’t a big factor. If you are more drawn to outdoor spots, I think you should absolutely go for it. Just consider the factors mentioned above.

Is there a way to have the best of both worlds between shooting in studio and shooting outside for a maternity session?

I think so! I love to bring in some elements from outdoors when shooting inside. For example, plants that we have in studio can bring that little something extra to a shot. Flowers are another good way to add some beautiful natural elements to your shots.

The important thing is to prioritize what you want most. This is such a beautiful, special time. Maybe you want to schedule two separate sessions so you can capture both! Do it! Celebrate the magic! You wont regret getting more photos.