Mother mermaid: how to get started with underwater maternity photos
Becoming a mother is one of life’s most special experiences. As an expectant mother, you may be considering the idea of a maternity photoshoot to celebrate life events, such as pregnancy. There’s something so magical about underwater photoshoots! I feel the water enveloping my body, muffling my senses. Weightless, I let myself remain suspended, aware of my lungs’ need for air. In a moment, my creativity takes over. For a few seconds I focus on only the beings before me, unaware of my earth-body’s needs. Undersea images convey a unique sense of calmness and peace. Before you know it, your bundle of joy will have arrived, and you may find yourself missing your baby bump and wishing that you had preserved the memory of being pregnant with your little one.
Developing Your Skills in Underwater Photography
My voyage into underwater photography began in 2013, and it wasn’t glamorous. It took me years of struggling, of not having the money for the proper equipment, of losing cameras to the ocean. I had been exploring genres of photography to identify the one that made me excited to create images. I soon discovered I wanted to be in the ocean shooting rather than shooting the water from the sand. I started taking risks with the unprotected Canon EOS 7D I had on hand. With each beach shoot I would venture farther into the shore break, incorporating droplets of water or fluffy white foam into my shots. When my first camera was totaled by a heavy leak in the housing, I decided it was time to invest in a more rugged housing system. The ocean constantly changes and undulates, so my creativity and my technical skills in the water grew and adapted.
The Challenge: Ocean vs. Pools
In 2015, wet maternity shoots were being done solely in pools. In pools you feel safe — no currents, and the edge of the pool to hang onto while you catch your breath. However, I liked the challenge of creating something beautiful in whatever conditions were given me. In the ocean, you have to float on your back as you recover your breath, and the salty water buoys you up, making it tough to stay submerged. It’s exhausting. One day a school of fish could be part of my shots, on another, no fish to be seen. One day the water would be clear as glass, the next day roiled and murky. Once they saw the images on my feed, women could envision themselves being photographed in the ocean, their pregnant bellies suspended upside down in a perfect poetic moment.
Preparing for Your Underwater Session
Once we got into the ocean, we practiced poses to help prepare for underwater maternity photos. It’s important to keep in mind that your poses don’t have to be perfect! We’ll do each pose several times until we have enough beautiful portraits to choose from. There’s absolutely no pressure on your end! Since other factors are involved, such as safety and comfortability, there’s definitely a learning curve. My underwater photoshoot clients can expect to spend approximately 20 minutes swimming in the ocean and treading the water. We’ll take breaks to help you stay refreshed. To help you walk into the underwater photoshoot with confidence, I provide an underwater photography guide that talks about how to prepare and what to expect during this type of session.
Finding the Perfect Location
The first step is to find an ideal location for your session. My goal is to find clear blue waters that would give us the best visibility for this underwater photoshoot. No matter how many times you visit a place, you can never guarantee how any given beach will look from one visit to the next. This is why I had to do my research to determine the best day, time, and location for our photo session. Think of a place that has significance to you and your growing family.
| Location | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Junkanoo Beach, Bahamas | Clear, turquoise waters, white sand, and palm trees; excellent visibility. |
| Honolulu, HI | Beautiful and relaxing spots from Waikiki Beach to Hanauma Bay. |
| North Shore of O’ahu | Country lifestyle with year-round shooting in the element of water. |
| Florida Beaches | Locations like Sarasota, Siesta Key, and Anna Maria Island. |
Tips for the Best Maternity Photoshoot
- Best Time: It’s entirely up to you to choose when during your pregnancy you’d like to have your photos taken and at whatever time you are most comfortable.
- Photography Props: You can bring along photos of your sonogram, as well as any other fun props such as a pair of baby shoes or newborn clothing.
- Posing Safety: The belly-up pose is a really challenging photo to pull off because it allows the water to go right up your nostrils.
- Safety First: As an underwater photographer, safety is always the top priority for a maternity adventure photoshoot.