How to describe the feeling you want in a maternity portrait
From the studio
A maternity portrait can begin with a feeling: quiet, sculptural, flowing, or intimate. You do not need to arrive with every detail decided. A few photographs you love, colors that feel like you, and a sense of who you want beside you give us a place to begin.
At Studio 23, we use the planning conversation to talk through your ideas, comfort, wardrobe, and the artwork you have in mind. For a session at our Valencia studio in the Santa Clarita Valley, these are useful things to share before your visit.
Start with a few portraits you love
Save a small selection of reference photographs and think about what draws you to each one. It might be a flowing shape, a quiet connection between two people, or a color you would love to see in your own portrait. You can like different things in different photographs.
Put those observations into simple words. “I love the movement of the fabric” or “I want something quiet with my partner” gives us more to discuss than a photograph alone. Our maternity preparation guide begins with this same idea: choose the feeling, then use your references to talk through gowns, color, and styling.
Talk about color, shape, and personal pieces
Begin with colors you love and clothing you feel comfortable in. Share the shapes that appeal to you and any personal pieces you would like to bring. Those details help us understand the direction you have in mind before we confirm wardrobe options together.
We will discuss the studio gown collection alongside your own ideas. Confirm the details for your session with the studio before deciding what to bring. Your reference photographs can help explain the look you enjoy, while that conversation establishes the wardrobe plan for your visit.
Make comfort part of the plan
Let us know the timing you have in mind and any comfort considerations you would like us to understand. We will discuss available dates together. The planning conversation is also a good place to tell us how you would like to feel in the photographs.
You do not need to work out posing on your own. During the session, we guide positioning, expression, and the small details. Before you arrive, bring the personal pieces you have discussed with the studio and confirm the plan together.
Tell us who belongs beside you
If you would like your partner or children in the portraits, mention that when you inquire. Tell us who you hope to include and which combinations matter to you. We can plan the groupings and styling around those people.
A quiet portrait together may feel different from a flowing individual portrait. Share both ideas if both matter to you. The people you want beside you are part of describing the feeling, just as much as color and clothing are.
Imagine where the portrait will live
Think about where you would enjoy seeing your photographs each day. You might picture one portrait on a favorite wall, a collection, or an album. Bring a photograph of that space or approximate wall dimensions to the planning conversation so we can explore the possibilities together.
Start with those ideas when you contact our Valencia studio: a few references, colors and shapes you love, who will join you, and the artwork you imagine. An inquiry begins the conversation. The studio will confirm availability and explain reservation details before a date is secured.
