Namita Nayyar:
What excites you most about this field of photography?
Jennifer Loomis:
This is a really great question. I think what excites me about this field of photography is that women can do it better than men. That didn’t come out quite right, but women are better positioned because of their gender. It is quite simple, pregnant women will be more comfortable expressing themselves in a safe female-centered space. Why does this matter? Photography, historically, has been a male-dominated field but maternity and family photography has really
leveled the playing field so to speak. I believe women have the advantage here because women in many different cultures are way more comfortable with other women and often we can get better photographs depending on the sensitivities of the women we work with. Obviously, there are men who do a great job photographing pregnant women, but in my work with the semi-nude and nude pregnant mother, my clients have expressed that a woman is definitely the preferred gender.
Namita Nayyar:
Moments one should definitely capture and save for the future?
Jennifer Loomis:
This is a tough question because each pregnancy is different. I would say if you have a husband or a partner, capture some images with them, along with other children or pets. Grandparents don’t show up in my maternity photography sessions that often, but they are welcome. I also love having them come to the baby photography sessions. I also like to tell pregnant women that this is their time to create an image that represents this time in their lives. I encourage them to think about that and try to access their personal feelings about becoming a mother. Then we discuss it and I come up with some ideas for making a photo.
Namita Nayyar:
How can a mom-to-be manage to get the best photographs? Common mistakes they end up
making which spoils the moment and how you correct them.
Jennifer Loomis:
So I tell my clients that the best photographs are achieved when you are your authentic self. Some moms like to have makeup and hair done, so they look like they are going out, and others like to come wearing their most comfortable clothes, no makeup, and their hair up in a ponytail. I always say these photos catch a specific nine months in your life, what do you want to remember about this period in your life let’s start there. In my sessions, I always allow clients to bring additional outfits for me to look at to consider. I am always very honest with my clients but also am willing to try anything.
I guess nothing spoils a moment for me. There are no bad photography sessions. I guess it is hard for me to work with a client who is trying too hard to be something she’s not. Be who you are, those are the best photographs.
Namita Nayyar:
Your piece of advice for moms-to-be?
Jennifer Loomis:
The best advice I ever got as a mom was gifted to me by a client years ago. I always gift it to my clients. The advice is this: “There is going to come a time when you are so exhausted you almost want to die (or give up). At that very moment, pause and be grateful for whatever moment is happening, because before you know it, it will be gone.” She was so right. The days can be long, but the years are definitely short.
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or full anywhere without express permission.
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