The time is almost here, your belly is full and round. You're ready to schedule a portrait session but have a few more questions? Read on for more information and don't hesitate to contact us anytime.
Timing can be tricky since the onset of labor is unpredictable. The usual range is between 34 to 38 weeks, but of course, things can vary from one woman to the next. However, if you’re having a difficult pregnancy with swelling & exhaustion it may be wise to schedule closer to 34 weeks as it won’t get any easier to move around as you approach your due date.
First of all your partner! I love to work one-on-one with mamas so if you want to include your partner they can have the option to leave early or arrive later. You can also bring siblings if this isn’t your first.
Here’s a few suggestions on clothing options to bring:
Some tight fitting clothing to emphasize your curves such as:
- tight fitting dress or skirt
- solid color spandex pants
- sports bra and or tank top
Loose flowing clothing:
- long dress
- sarongs
- baggy pants
Additional Options:
- bikini
- jeans
- t-shirts/tanks
- underwear/bras/boxer shorts
- hats/leis/jewelry,etc
If bringing a partner and/or children you don’t need to match everyone perfectly. Just be mindful to bring clothing for everyone that is either all lights or all darks.
This is a personal choice dependent on the style of portraits you’re interested in. You can view some of the different possibilities in our photo gallery.
An outdoor on-location session is the most popular option that allows for featuring the beauty of your pregnancy within a scenic backdrop and is a lot of fun! I have a few favorite spots in town and along the Windward side and welcome any suggestions you may have as well.
We offer a portable studio option where we can come to your home with a backdrop and lights.
On-location portrait sessions are $395. This includes travel costs, shoot time, & digital image download. Sessions generally take a couple of hours to allow time to explore the location, any clothing changes, bathroom breaks and to maintain an overall stress free environment, this is meant to be a fun experience!
We will have images from your photo session ready to view within 24 – 48hrs. You’ll receive a link by email that allows you access to view/download your photos.
Once you select your favorite images for basic retouching we will send your finished images within a week by digital download via email.
Photo printing is not included with our packages but we can certainly provide you with these services if wanted. Just let us know if you’re interested in having us handle printing your portraits and we’ll provide you with information & pricing.
MORE
We recommend planning to make a bellycast sometime between weeks 34-38. It’s great to wait till you’re approaching maximum capacity but we also don’t want to miss capturing that beautiful belly if you start labor early. When setting a date, it’s also good to take into account your general energy level, previous birth history, and any signs of impending labor to help determine the best window of opportunity for you.
We can create your bellycast to either sit on a flat surface or to hang on a wall. Consider your space limitations when deciding on which option will work best for you. Your bellycast will need to be treated with care like a piece of art so try to find a place where it won’t need to be moved around a lot and is less likely to get bumped.
When handled with care our bellycasts will last indefinitley. Being a fairly new art form we can’t offer specifics beyond our own experience. We can say that we have bellycasts in perfectly good condition that are 20 years old!
Our bellycasting service includes materials & labor. In addition to the bellycast itself we include a small can of shellac w/brush so you can seal your bellycast once it has finished curing. (This is an important step before decorating!)
Pricing starts at $295
- decorating supplies NOT included
- add $25 for home sessions outside the Honolulu area between Kalihi – Hawaii Kai
Don’t have the time or creative talents to design & decorate yourself? We love doing that part and would be happy to work together with you to create a design you’ll love and then do the process for you! Pricing to have us do the decorating is determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the intricacy of design and materials to be used.
A bellycasting session generally takes about an hour from start to finish. This includes set-up, casting, and cleaning up. Once everything is in place, you’ll need to lube up to prevent the plaster from sticking to skin and hairs. Next the wet plaster & gauze is applied to your torso and hardens on the body in about 20mins. Once removed, we will reinforce for strength while you shower to clean off remnants of plaster and lubrication. Your cast will then be complete and ready for decoration after curing and sealing. (curing will take a few days and we will send you with sealant to do on your own)
There are also options available if you prefer to have us complete these steps as part of the decorating process.
MORE
Definitely! You can create a breathtaking image, without bare skin. Your body’s level of exposure during filming depends entirely on you. We have women that choose many varying levels of exposure and can do everything from tasteful nudes, to elaborately decorated costuming, and modest pictures fully clothed. The point is that you decide. We will create imagery that reflects your vision of beauty and comfort level.
Yes, of course! Generally, I recommend women to do their own hair/make-up as they would to look their best on a good day. However, we work with professional make-up/hair artists who would love to help you with any styling needs. This service is an additional cost of $100-$150 depending on the location and amount of time needed. Our stylist will generally arrange to meet you beforehand at their studio to style your hair & makeup before shooting. Styling usually takes about 1 – 1`1/2hr to complete.
Of course, family photos have a totally different atmosphere from pregnancy photos that feature only you. Photography with the whole family creates a shared experience.
I believe that photographing your children with your baby belly helps develop awareness of the baby inside and a stronger connection to the future sibling is created.
Imagine that in five years you can show the baby how older brothers and/or sisters were waiting for him/her with hugs & kisses. This is your chance to create a record of how your family has grown.
The best part is you can have it both ways! With some careful planning we can arrange for dad or a friend to play with the kids or take them home early while we get some shots with you alone. We’re flexible and ready to work with your vision.