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How to Preserve Your Baby Bump

Ways to capture your beautiful belly on film

By Elizabeth Weiss McGolerick

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When you're carrying a child, it may feel like you're going to be pregnant forever, but that beautiful belly will soon be gone. While you'll no doubt appreciate seeing your feet again and finally having your little one in your arms, you might actually find yourself missing the extension of yourself that proudly preceded you for nine months.

Here's some advice from professional photographers about how to preserve your beloved bump, whether you opt for a professional photo session or some casual candids with your own camera.

Know what you want: Photographing your baby bump should happen exactly the way you want it to, whether you're baring all or fully clothed, at home or out in nature. "It's all about the belly and mom," says professional photographer Christie Clancy. "My favorite setting is the baby's room. It's nice to show 'before you were here,'" says Clancy.

What to wear: The focal point of this photo shoot is your baby bump, so opt for figure-hugging clothing. Clancy encourages moms to choose whatever they feel most comfortable in, whether that's jeans and a tank, a dress, a tube top and skirt or a blouse unbuttoned at the bottom to show off the belly. "Some have even done au natural," Clancy adds. But modest moms need not worry – it isn't necessary to channel your inner Demi Moore to get memorable photos. Just be wise about the clothing you do select. Jessica Garris, professional photographer and owner of Artistic Design Photography adds, "You don't want to look back at your photos and say, 'What was I thinking when I put that on?'" When considering your photo shoot wardrobe, opt for timeless, not trendy.

Who should be in the photos: "Sometimes dad is in the photos… a head on the belly or a kiss, hands joined on the belly, an embrace from behind," says Clancy. You can even invite your child's siblings to take part in a shot or two. "My personal favorites are the photos where you can see the love for the baby that's about to join the family. No matter what they wear or where it's taken, that real smile or real loving look makes the shot every time," Clancy adds.

What poses are best: Garris recommends thinking outside of the box. "I have a lot of clients who really love the photo of the woman making a heart out of her hands on her belly. They're popular," she says. "But most of the time my clients say the photos they loved most are the ones where they had no idea I was taking the photo." If you're going for a professional shoot, it's good to have some idea of what you want. "I don't mind have photos that you like shared with me so I can get a feel for what the parents are interested in," Clancy says. Ideally, you've chosen a photographer whose work you have seen and like so you should trust that they know what they're doing, adds Garris.

When to schedule a shoot: Clancy says most moms wait until their belly is most prominent and Garris adds that the third trimester is often the best time for a photo op because your belly is at its roundest. Even if you feel like you've "missed the window," it's really never too late to get your pictures done. "I consider pregnancy life's most amazing miracle. This is a time that you don't want to forget," says Garris.