So you’re embarking on an amazing surrogacy journey, and you want to commemorate every step of the way with photos. That’s great news! Taking photos throughout your surrogacy journey will help you remember and cherish the experience forever. A picture says a thousand words, so it’s fun to look back at these pictures at the end of your trip and remember all the little moments that add up to an unforgettable experience.
One of the most important things you’ll want to do throughout your surrogacy journey is document everything that happens—including your doctor’s appointments, pregnancy bump photos, and happy moments with your intended parents. You want great photos at every stage of your trip, so check out these tips and tricks to get the best photos possible!
Use a Self-Timer
This is the most important tip: set your self-timer and walk away, especially if you have no one to help you. Take some time to get to know the self-timer on your phone. Most phone cameras have a self-timer setting with a 3-second or 10-second window. You may need to experiment with different angles (up, down, or sideways) until you find what works best for you.
Use Social Media to Find Inspiration
Not sure where to start with the poses? Social media is a great place to find inspiration. One of the best ways to get started on surrogacy journey photography is to take your own photos and then see what other people are doing. See their photo editing, filter selection, filters they didn’t use, the camera angle, etc. Paying attention to what you like will help you figure out your style as a photographer.
Instagram hashtags like #maternityphotos or #maternityshoot are great for inspiration. Pinterest also offers a ton of pregnancy photoshoot images. Or just search for maternity photos on Google images.
Natural Lighting is Best
A photo can look instantly better in the right light. Try to use natural light for your photos, from a bright window or just outside.
Natural light is best for taking photos because it doesn’t create harsh shadows. For the best natural light, take your photos first thing in the morning. If you’re outside on a sunny day, find shade to avoid glare from the screen.
Tips for Mirror Selfies
It’s a good idea to practice your photos and poses in front of a mirror before you start shooting, but if you choose to take your selfies in a mirror, make sure your glasses are clean. This helps people focus on you, not the water spots!
Be aware of your background
It’s easy to forget the background when you’re taking a selfie. Backgrounds should be simple, uncluttered, and free of distracting elements. Make sure it’s not too busy, so it doesn’t draw attention away from you. Step left or right until the background contains less clutter. If you are in a public place, try to be aware of the people in the background as well.
Use Portrait Mode
Have you ever wondered how the background in most professional photos is blurry? A blurred background creates depth and helps you stand out. Phone cameras allow you to create this effect using a special mode – on iPhones, it’s called Portrait Mode. Other phones may call this “selfie” mode.
Frame Your Stomach
Let’s be honest: your pregnant belly is where everyone’s attention is. Always try to highlight and frame your stomach. The best way to do this is to turn slightly to the side instead of shooting straight on. Placing your hands above and below your bump will also frame your belly and show affection.
Get Creative with Props
Props are great because they add that little “something extra,” especially to a pregnancy shoot. Instead of just posing with your hands on your belly every week, add some props to catch the eye. This can be anything from ultrasound pictures, to a sign with a meaningful saying, to a gift for parents or baby.
Final Thoughts
Documenting your surrogacy journey has many benefits, but capturing those photos isn’t always easy. We hope these tips help you better capture the beautiful moments that make up your story! Bump day posts our favorite part of the week!
