Cinematic meets Candid in this At-Home Maternity Session in Park Slope Brooklyn

This is so much more than an at-home maternity photo session in Park Slope Brooklyn. This is Shirley and Jose embracing the last few weeks of "just us". As a photographer and artist, it's a privlege to really let couples embrace their photo sessions in the ways they feel lead. For these two, having quiet moments of just holding onto one another or feeling their baby kick... that's what they really wanted. To be together.

At-Home Maternity Session in Park Slope Brooklyn

A Candid Approach to Maternity Photography

Creating Cinematic, Story-Driven Maternity Photos

Why Choose an At-Home Maternity Session?

Capturing Emotion: Tips for a Natural, Candid Feel

Booking Your NYC Maternity Photography Session

There's nothing more sacred than being home at home- together. Feeling the moment. Hearing the music. Drinking your favorite coffee. Chatting at your kitchen table. Looking at your empty crib knowing you'll soon be leaning over it so much more.

Is a candid maternity session really candid? I think what people really want when they say candid, is-- candid with feedback. Does this candid moment actually look okay?

Let me paint a picture of what I mean: When we weren't just chatting about life (I just met them! I wanted to chat while we took photos so I could really make sure we were capturing their chemistry and personalities) and joking about silly things, it was these quiet moments they had together I loved. Those moments yielded some of my favorite photos. This approach is what I call both candid and posed. I consider myself less of a photographer and more of a film director, giving feedback when you're candidly enjoying time together. I'll let you know what looked good, if I need you to repeat something. I'll give you ideas for what you could be doing. There is nothing forced about it, just the willingness to try things. Per most characters in films, they don't know there's a camera filming them. Having lifestyle photos with a cinematic flair means letting vulernability reign as if there isn't a camera in the room.

So for this session, I told them I would chat with them, but that if they could, it would be best if they only made eye contact with one another. Even if I asked them questions or gave direction-- I really wanted them to stay connected. And-- they did! We've been trained up to look right down the barrel of the camera, but with candid photography, we are giving ourselves permission to acknowledge the present experiences, not the present photo taking. It's freeing.

There were times when Jose would just pull Shirley in and lean his head on her. And these were really beautiful moments. If I needed them to have more light on their faces, I just let them know what they were doing was great and that I just needed them to angle themselves a bit more toward the window. The goal isn't to interrupt every moment when it comes to candid photography. But the goal is also to get that everyday essence from a couple interacting the way they usually would without a camera around. Which is why I like to encourage couples and inviduals to have things they're going to do. Jose made coffee. Shirley drank it. They sat and talked about their baby. They slow danced in their living room. They hovered over their crib, soaking in the quiet and expectation.

There is hope and joy and intimacy in these photos because we made room for that. Because these two felt safe in their home. Their story and next chapter will unfold in their home and it's so special to see their old selves collide with their new selves. It's an honor to take photos of such a season.

Do you think you would feel more comfortable taking maternity photos in your home with a candid approach?