Modern Studio Maternity Photography on Film

Milwaukee couple Caitlin and Danny are expecting their first baby, a little boy. To honor this unique moment in their journey, they wanted a special session that captures all of its intimacy and joy. We met up to create studio maternity photography on digital and film. The result is a beautiful gallery of photos that they’ll be able to treasure and share with their little one someday.

Studio Maternity Photography

When you’re deciding what kind of maternity photos you want, there are pros and cons for each. Lifestyle sessions are more candid and often take place at home. Traditional posed photos can be more formal and less natural for many people. I appreciate the creative control that’s possible with studio maternity photography.

In a studio session, you don’t have to worry about fickle weather. Even in a Milwaukee winter, you can wear what you want without piling on a million layers. I also can control the light so we always get that clean, soft lighting that feels just right for the intimacy of pregnancy photos. That frees me up to get creative with posing and composition.

Another benefit of doing studio maternity photography is that it’s very easy to change into different outfits. You can get a wide variety of photos in a relatively short amount of time. Caitlin brought along several looks for this session. They ranged from a casual chambray button down to a chic green dress. Each showed a different side of this little family.  

Modern Moments on Vintage Film

Studio maternity photography is a great opportunity to incorporate film into a session. Because film requires so much intentionality, a studio gives us control over conditions to make the most of each frame. We also get to use vintage tools to create frame-worthy modern art. I draw a lot of inspiration and creative energy from that.

For Caitlin and Danny’s session, I used three types of film cameras in addition to digital photography. I incorporated 35mm film, the kind you find in most analog cameras. A 1940s Rolleiflex medium format camera and Polaroid instant film rounded out the rest. Usually, the hardest part about film photography is the wait for the lab to scan the film. With Polaroids, we get an instant feel for how everything is going. 

Each kind of film camera brings something different to studio maternity photography. They translate colors differently and evoke a variety of moods. Film photography feels different in a way that works for maternity photos. It’s beautiful, tangible, and real. You want to pause over it and soak up the instant nostalgia. I’m always grateful when couples are excited to incorporate film into their maternity photos!

Caitlin and Danny’s Milwaukee Maternity Photos

I had the pleasure of getting to know Caitlin and Danny well before their studio maternity photography session. I photographed their wedding at Enlightened Brewing Company in 2022. The day included lots of romantic details artistically implemented, and the photos convey the joy and love overflowing on that day. You can check them out in this blog post.

These maternity photos are just as much a reflection of Caitlin and Danny’s relationship. They’re thoughtful people with amazing taste. Their wedding included earthy neutrals like their maternity photos. The tones of the film photos emphasize that rooted, tangible emotion at the center of everything. Even though these aren’t documentary style photos, Caitlin and Danny are so natural together.

Looking at this gallery, I couldn’t be happier with the way this maternity session went. So many of these images feel like stand alone editorial images to me. Caitlin, leaning on a stool and admiring her baby bump, is the epitome of those breathtaking days before baby arrives. The creative perspectives and mixed media in this gallery tell a whole story of this golden moment in Caitlin and Danny’s life together. I’m honored that they chose me to document this next step.

Would you like to see more studio maternity photography? I love incorporating studio time into maternity sessions! Check out these artistic studio maternity photos and this session combining lifestyle and studio photography. They give you a sense of some ways a studio session can be personalized to reflect your family.

Already think I’m the right photographer to capture these golden moments? Inquire with me here!