Preparing for my maternity shoot

My maternity shoot is scheduled for next weekend and I'm very excited about it! It's my very first however working with my aunt drops the pressure for me a little bit and it will be really great to spend that quality time with them all. There is my aunt, uncle and 3 year old cousin so it will be a nice amount to work with for a first time and great experience with a child also. I find you need a lot of patience with children and believe I am very patient as I understand from growing up with younger children. 

She asked me a few months back, and getting closer to the date we have been planning where about we want photos, what they should wear and the best time of day to shoot. I've asked if we can go down to the beach to shoot more of the family portraits as the background and lighting would be perfect. As I brought the subject up with photographer Georgia Ainley she told me to include nature within my maternity shoot because motherhood is natural. I'd originally planned to photograph at my aunts house as it's full of bright but warm colours, however after speaking with Georgia I much preferred the idea of going out on location and using nature. 

I wanted to photograph towards sunset but she was afraid her son would be tired and grump which I completely understood therefore I recommended first thing in the morning just before 12. The lighting would be bright enough, the beach may not be as busy so I won't have people getting into the shot and it gives me most of the day if things aren't going as planned. She seemed happy with that.

As for clothing I've asked if she could wear something like a maxi dress which will show off her bump elegantly. It also needed to be contrasting against the beach, partner and son that she will be standing with. 

She later asked about having some close up shots of the bump with hand gestures such as a heart. I suggest doing these shots back hers as I have a black and white backdrop which would work better. It would also be a lot more private so she felt comfortable. This can be easily done as she lives very close to myself and the beach so I can't see the two different locations being any trouble. Hopefully there will be no rain!

Having thought long and hard this summer about who I am as a photographer, I'm starting to feel a lot more confident about my 5 year plan for after university, (as if I have just under a year left!). Talking with a professional photographer helped me make the decision as she said she was once in my position. She is also self taught where I have had the extra help from university so if she can do it I'm sure I can. I know it's my motivation and confidence that lets me down as I always think I'm not good enough but I continue to try and show myself that I can. 

I'm drifting towards lifestyle photography. Having photographed a few times now for friends and family events I have really enjoyed photographing portraiture. I've also come to terms that I do not work well in the studio. I have completed shoots as part of university briefs in the studio using the lighting equipment but I much prefer working with the ambient light. I can do a basic set up using the lighting equipment but for the style of my work I feel ambient fits best. 

Third year, be good to me!