Being in maternity photos when you are plus size can be an incredibly empowering experience. Yet for many women, it's something they never consider doing.
When you're plus size, it often takes longer for your belly to pop.
And when it finally does, it's not the perfectly round bump you imagined it would be. So, you worry about how your belly will appear in maternity photos.
Even though many photographers know how to style plus size maternity photoshoots, those who offer wardrobes don't always provide plus size options.
It's easy to feel discouraged.
That is until you see maternity images of people who have the same size body as yours!
When you see that unmistakable pregnancy glow, you know you are not alone in your experience. You realize you are just as deserving of having this momentous moment in your life captured.
Feel encouraged to be in maternity photos when you are plus size – for yourself and your children.
This is Pamela's story!
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Maternity Photos When You Are Plus Size
My husband and I struggled with infertility for a while.
After three rounds of IVF, we finally got pregnant.
I knew that since this might be our only pregnancy, I definitely wanted to do a maternity photoshoot.
Who wouldn't want to capture this beautiful journey after all the ups and downs we went through?
As my stomach got bigger, I started to have doubts about doing a shoot.
My husband and a few friends convinced me to do one.
Ever since I found out I was adopted, I knew that I wanted to experience being pregnant. Feeling the kicks of my baby and watching my belly grow.
I reached out to two photographers in New Jersey to see their availability.
I had no idea that for maternity shoots, the photographer often provided the wardrobe.
Mind you, I had already bought a few dresses of my own.
When both of the photographers flat out told me that they had no plus size maternity wardrobe, I felt completely discouraged.
And that was the end of the conversation.
Did they think that curvy women didn't want to get maternity pictures done?
I then went to the internet and put a search in for maternity photographers in my area of Westchester, NY.
One of the first results was Aly Inspired Photography.
I went to her page and filled out her form. She got back to me instantly.
When I asked her about her plus size maternity wardrobe, I got an unexpected response.
Aly told me that she was trying to grow her plus sized maternity wardrobe since it was limited.
She went on to say that because of that, she created a program where select plus sized moms can purchase a gown or two from her preferred vendor. Then she'd keep the dress and discount the gown's price from the cost of the photoshoot.
I was SOLD!!
We then had about 20-30 text messages back and forth about the different gowns. Aly made this experience so great!
The day of the photoshoot was simply amazing.
Aly made me feel so comfortable and didn't treat me differently because of my size.
My favorite picture is of me in the lace kimono. I feel so empowered in that outfit. I ended up gifting that to Aly as well. This way, another plus-sized mama could feel empowered in that same Kimino.
I'm now nine months pregnant, and we are planning our newborn photoshoot with Aly.
I thank Aly for creating a solution rather than turning me away.
Below, Aly shares a message for those thinking about being in maternity photos when you are plus size.
I truly believe that every mom should have gorgeous maternity images.
When Pamela first approached me about her maternity session, I was actively working to add more plus sized options to my wardrobe.
It was such a treat to collaborate with her to create her dream maternity portraits and add some beautiful plus sized gowns to my client closet at the same time.
One of the hardest things about creating a client wardrobe is knowing what a client would love to have access to, so it was nice to work with her to decide what gowns would really show off her flawless self in her maternity gallery.
The maternity stage of motherhood is such a magical time and I truly hope her images inspire others to document their pregnancy!
Connect with Aly via her website and Instagram.
Pamela's Outfits: Green Dress, Mauve Gown, and White Lace Kimono
See more stunning plus size maternity photos via Plus Size Birth on Instagram, and a wide variety of plus size maternity dresses up to a size 6XL here.
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