Self Maternity photos...c&c please

JenLavazza · Mar 15, 2011

Practice round for my maternity session. This is a new style for me, so I'm not sure if it "works" or not...? Plus, taking and editing photos of yourself is very hard imo!! Please C&C. Thanks!

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And a couple in color -

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Derrel · Mar 15, 2011

Those are lovely photos! Good luck with the baby and all. Self portraits are so difficult. I'd suggest a small aount more top space, above your head, would be a nice improvement. Perhaps move the camera back a bit, or use a slightly shorter focal length to give a bit more room there.

Robin Usagani · Mar 15, 2011

Beautiful on my I phone. I would take it a step further and take off your underwear and hide your private using a different angle or use the cloth. I like the B/W.

PhotoWrangler · Mar 15, 2011

A. I dont like maternity shots.
B. I dont like self portraits.

However... these are surprisingly very pleasing. Very nicely done and refreshing to not see what I fully expected to. Could you add a reflector opposite the window to lessen the harshness of the shadows?

vtf · Mar 15, 2011

Very nice, some of the better ones I've seen recently. Being self portraits make these even more special. Congrats and Best Wishes for you and your new baby.

JenLavazza · Mar 16, 2011

I think I'm going to add a light behind me and have my husband take them.....he probably wouldn't be as likely to chop my head off as my 6 year old!! lol

mwcfarms · Mar 16, 2011

Brava Jen, a great self portrait is hard to take add in the maternity factor and its even more so. I think you did a great job but Derrel and Robin both have good comments and I think Chris is correct on the use of a reflector. Congrats on the addition to your family. I bet your 6yr old is excited. Many blessings to you. :hug::

PhotoWrangler · Mar 16, 2011

For the record... I don't mind the chopping of the head. Your head isn't the focus of the picture anyway, and its a technique used by a lot of photographers.

Robin Usagani · Mar 16, 2011

I have seen many topless maternity shots that are ridiculously good. I wish I can find the link. I would do some of those too so you can show it off to your kids when you are 80 yo

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LaFoto · Mar 16, 2011

I like these, although I, too, was thinking that maybe some more light reflected onto the other half of your face would make these softer, less contrasted, your one eye not glittering and shining so much out of the dark side of your face.

But other than that, and given that these were actually taken by your six-year-old (! - kudos to him or her!), I find they are very, very good selfs, and very good maternity photos!
It sure helps that you are a BEAUTIFUL mom-to-be!

TheGreatGonzo · Mar 16, 2011

The pictures are lovely, as are you. Congratulations to you and your husband and I wish you a worry-free pregnancy and a smooth birth. As the father of a relatively new one myself, the excitement and joy of my son's arrival are still fresh in my mind. Mazel tov!

PhotoWrangler · Mar 16, 2011

I dont think your head chopping is bad. Check out some of these head chopped headshots. Kevyn Major Howard Studios - Headshot Photography - Headshots that open doors(TM). As seen on the Discovery Channel and Oprah.

Davor · Mar 16, 2011

First off Congrats on your baby, and may i say your husband is one lucky man.

To the picture, i think they came out really good for self portraits and even if they weren't. What i would have liked to see is a gradient background and by that i mean having a more darker backdrop behind your shoulders which transitioned to the bright white.

Ron Evers · Mar 16, 2011

Very nice Jen & I agree with the suggestions above. #3 is my fave, your smile makes it.

FoggyLens · Mar 16, 2011

BEAUTIFUL!!!!! In everyway possible! I think everyone had some good points but IMO they are amazing as they stand knowing that this was very very hard! lol.. Props to the 6 year old assistant a rising star!