5 Tips for Fall Maternity Portraits in Williamsburg Virginia
Fall is here! Pumpkin spice, autumn colored leaves, warm sweaters, and candles that smell like cider donuts… Being pregnant during Fall is one of my favorite things. And you know what’s even better… Fall maternity portraits in Williamsburg Virginia! The beautiful fall foliage makes for the best backdrops for photos! Let’s dive into some hot tips that will help you as a expecting mother make the most out of your fall maternity portraits in Williamsburg!
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Tip 1: Choose the Right Outfit
Choosing the right outfit for your Fall maternity portraits in Williamsburg Virginia can be challenging but with our help, worry no more! As a Virginia native, we know fall weather can change from day to day and range from the upper 70s to the lower 50s. Virginia fall weather can be a huge headache and make choosing what to wear for your session just a little more stressful than it needs to be. Our client wardrobe has tons of pieces that highlight the beauty of fall and still keep the focus on you and your beautiful growing baby.
When selecting colors to wear for your Fall maternity portraits in Williamsburg Virginia choose colors that compliment the beautiful fall backdrop. For our personal editing style, even in the fall, avoiding deep reds, oranges and strong bold colors will help keep the focus on you and not let what your wearing steal the show. I know, I know… it’s fall right?! Bold colors are IN! BUT, to help your portrait session remain timeless, we highly recommend choosing colors like ivory, muted tans, light browns, soft fall florals, blush, and soft sages.
Different fabrics can really make a statement for your Fall maternity portraits in Williamsburg Virginia. A knit dress capturing that growing bump with fall foliage as your background, I can already picture how beautiful it will be! Add in a muted plaid scarf, and your session will be complete. Flowing dresses in the fall breeze is also a beautiful option for your maternity session. Our client wardrobe is full of flowing dresses to compliment this special season in your life!
Comfort is key for any type of session but especially for your fall maternity portraits in Williamsburg Virginia. Because we recommend doing your maternity session between 32-34 weeks, we know that those ending weeks of your pregnancy can be tiring. The last thing you want to be wearing is something uncomfortable. Our client wardrobe has plenty of options that caters to comfort and fit for mamas with growing bumps. As a mom of two, stretchy waistbands are a favorite of mine!
It’s extremely important to choose something that feels right and comfortable for YOU! If you aren’t feeling confident in your clothing for your fall maternity portraits in Williamsburg Virginia, it may be noticeable, so we recommend spending some time really planning your pieces! Read more here about choosing the right outfits for your maternity session!
Tip 2: Select a Scenic Location | Fall Maternity Portraits in Williamsburg Virginia
Fall in Virginia offers beautiful backgrounds for your maternity session. From lush golden fields, long driveways full of autumn falling leaves, and orchards, Virginia has no shortage of idyllic locations for your session!
Some of my favorite locations for fall maternity portraits in Williamsburg Virginia are listed below! All three of these locations offer different backdrops to highlight falls beautiful features.
Colonial Williamsburg has simple touches of historic homes, white picket fences and back yard garden fields. Colonial Williamsburg is like a maze of stunning foliage that will elevate your fall maternity portraits!
Yorktown Battlefields offers miles of lush golden grass that flows when the wind blows and is just gorgeous! Because the battlefields is so large, there are many different scenic backdrops to choose from.
Historic Tuckahoe is one of my favorite locations for maternity sessions. From gardens, white picket fences, fields of golden grass, horses, historic buildings… Historic Tuckahoe has it all! It is a stunning location year round so you can never go wrong with this spot! Historic Tuckahoe is also a very private spot to do your session at. It is a huge venue and the owners only allow a certain amount of photographer per hour, which makes it feel like you have all the land to yourself!
Tip 3: Plan Around the Best Lighting
For our style of photography, to achieve the best lighting for your fall maternity portraits in Williamsburg Virginia, starting the session around 1.5-2 hours before the sunsets is ideal for gorgeous warm light. If your wanting the sun to beam on your hair and highlight your beautiful growing bump this time of day is going to make it happen. However, depending on the location we choose for your session 2-3 hours before sunset may be okay due to the tree height. If you have littles joining in on your fall maternity session, I totally get bed time is around that time where lighting is best. I truly think that getting the kids prepared for your session in advance and adjusting their schedule slightly the day of the session will allow them to have fun!
If we can, I try to avoid midday light unless I know where the session is taking place offers lots of open shade. Harsh midday light can lead to lots of color casting on your skin, shadows and squinting eyes that isn’t ideal. If our location offers lots of open shade, doing a midday session isn’t too much of an issue and can totally work!
Having your session on overcast days are a hit or miss. Here is my hot tip… if the clouds are dark and angry looking, it is best to reschedule your session. BUT! If the clouds are more of a white cloud, I am totally down to still go forward with a session and will just bump up the time a couple more hours before sunset. With our light and airy style, dark, angry clouds make for dark images that tend to create darker shadows. Lightly overcast days CAN make for soft light and is very flattering for a fall maternity session. Either way, leading up to your maternity session, we will discuss in detail your vision and weather to prepare!
Tip 4: Incorporate Personal Elements
Bringing your ultrasound, an embroidered blanket, or a monogrammed onesie is the perfect personal touch to add to your session. Before your session, I send a questionnaire that will ask if you have any personal items you’d like to include so I know beforehand. Adding these special items to your session also add more posing to your gallery.
We take a lifestyle approach to all of our sessions so we highly encourage you to include your partner and any other children you may have in your session. Don’t worry, of course we will get tons of solo shots of just you, mama. But, there is nothing more sweet than documenting your first born snuggle up to your belly, awaiting the arrival of their baby sibling! Adding in the whole family really creates a beautiful narrative of your family and makes for the best photos to frame on the walls of your home.
Tip 5: Stay Comfortable and Safe
Staying comfortable during your session is key. Dressing appropriate for the season will ensure you are comfortable and cozy. Adding layers to your outfit such as a scarf or cardigan is the perfect touch for your fall maternity portraits in Williamsburg Virginia!
Bringing things like water or a warm tea, a blanket, chapstick or a lip gloss for touch up, and any snacks is very important and highly recommended!
Your comfort and safety is our top priority and we want to make sure you are comfortable through the entire process. Leading up to your session, we will chat about prepping for your maternity session to make sure you are fully prepared and ready for the day. Taking breaks and hydrating during your session is totally okay. We also recommend resting and relaxing the day of your session to reduce any stress!
Are you an expecting mama ready to book your fall maternity portrait session?
Luxury portrait photographers Jacob & Brielle Photography offer wedding, maternity, newborn baby & family heirloom portrait photography in Virginia. Serving families all over Eastern, Central & Northern Virginia including Alexandria, Richmond, Williamsburg, Hampton Roads & VA Beach.
