Maternity photo shoot
In China people love having photo sessions. The pre-wedding pictures, the maternity pictures, the newborn pictures, the pictures wearing clothes from the Han or Tang dynasty… Not to mention the huge amount of selfies that are taken in China every day! The other day we went to the swimming pool and there was a girl who had her phone in a waterproof case hanging from her neck while she was inside the water. She had also placed her swimming cap strategically so part of her bangs was outside and she looked cute for selfies. Haha, they can’t even take a rest from their phones inside the swimming pool! Besides, taking photos with the swimming cap on… is there anything less flattering? [Note: You have to wear a swimming cap even for outdoor pools here. And yessss I finally went to the swimming pool! I know people were taking glances in my direction but no one stared shamelessly and no one said anything. I think the lifeguard was worried I would give birth in the pool, hahaha.]
We didn’t do pre-wedding pictures because I preferred to have them taken on the actual day(s). However, the actual day I give birth I don’t think I will be on the mood for taking many pictures (and if they are taken without me noticing, I don’t think I would share them!!) so exactly three weeks ago (I was 30 weeks) we went to a studio to have a maternity photo shoot. In this kind of photo studios they also do your hair and make up and lend you clothes for the pictures. I don’t know if they had many dresses in my size; I was shown three of which I chose two. And we spent the whole morning there.
How can this bump still have 10 weeks left?? I think I’m going to burst…
Say goodbye to this luscious hair, I can’t stand it anymore. Every time I have to blow dry it I almost faint because of the heat (and I use the cold air!).
I had never worn anything like this in my life, hahaha.
There were also naked pictures and although you can’t really see “anything” I will not harass you with them xD
you look stunning!
Thank you! I’ll tell you the secret: one hour of make up xD
Marta, I love the photos! You look beautiful and the photos really capture your smile well! And haha, I totally understand what you’re saying when you mention that Chinese people really love photos and photoshoots. What can I say… we’re vain! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Thank you! I’m not really against taking pics of yourself, unless you are inside the pool or ignoring all your friends to do it hahaha. Maybe it’s just that I’m old, I used to take many more pics of myself when I was in my 20s!
Wonderful photos. Treasure them. Life will take an enormous change forever later.
We are having a book printed with them! Also, the session includes a second part when the baby is born. And yes, I know my life as I know it is completely over, hahaha.
Hope you have a good mother to share experiences.
You are the most photogenic pregnant woman I think I’ve ever seen. It’s nice that you had a photographer catch it.
I think it’s more the photographer’s and the make up artist’s skills haha. BTW, I’m not that photogenic anymore, a few days ago I got what the doctor diagnosed this morning as PUPPs on my hands, arms, and feet (and might spread more). For the moment it’s just a very mild case, at least…
OMG. I had that when I was pregnant, too. Wanted to scratch off my own arms. Took oatmeal baths at 3 AM. I am so sorry.
And I went from the pan to the fire… had some tests today and turns out it’s not pupps, it’s cholestasis!!
Oh, no! Are they prescribing vitamin K? How many more weeks till you are due?
I think no vitamin K for the moment as based on my current results it is not very severe. They have been giving me some other meds though and checking baby’s heart and movements several times a day. I am staying in hospital and it is going to be a very interesting post when I am out of here xD
you are beautiful! C.’s pretty cute too, this made me smile<3
Thank you!
Absolutely gorgeous! The two dresses are just stunning on you — you really are radiant!
Thank you! There was a third dress that was something to behold haha, I looked like a tipi with it on so it was vetoed xD
Wow you look absolutely stunning, great photos!!
Thank you!
Fabulous photos – what a wonderful memory! Glad your husband was in some of the photos too. You both look so happy!
My favourites are the ones with him hehe.
:)
Wow!!! Those are excellent photos. You look beautiful. I love the red dress and your red lips against the red background. It makes the dress look like velvet. In some pictures you look cute, in others, sexy and sophisticated. Good thing you still had the long hair for the pictures with the black dress.
Thank you! I think these pictures are going to be a memory of the time I had the longest hair in my life, apart from a memory of the pregnancy haha.
Beautiful! I’ve never done a photoshoot or really thought of doing one, but it would be cool to wear bomb dresses like that black one!
Thank you! It was my first photoshoot in a studio too!
OMG. What a strange thing to do! Sorry! I think my American-ism is coming out. Hahahaha. Don’t get me wrong, the photos are beautiful – I love you two smiling at each other. I mean, it’s not toooo different than future mom’s posting selfies in the mirror of their baby bumps, but ??? Maybe it’s just me. Culture is so fascinating. What do your Spanish friends and family think?
Hahaha! I guess this is not something people do in the US? I think Spanish people don’t do it either as no one of my friends did it. Here it is super normal, really. Maybe because they were only allowed one baby and they wanted to treasure the pregnancy experience? (And also because they love having pictures taken, haha).
OMG. What a good point. Yes, folks are allowed one child and they love to take photos. Thanks for explaining – I love learning something new about culture :)
Great pics! And your husband’s watch looks good: what’s he wearing there?
Thank you! I don’t know anything about watches xD The brand is called Hamilton.
Though totally staged – my fav is the 2nd to last one.”Ooops! We are having a baby!” :-) Thanks for sharing. :-)
ALL of them were staged haha. The photographer was telling me each pose to do and that my smile was very fake so I would laugh and have a natural smile.
I think people have a misunderstanding of what these photo shoots are about. It’s not supposed to be authentic in the sense that it captures people doing real stuff. Rather, it’s meant to capture a particular stage in people’s lives and do so with the people looking their best. It’s no different from people dressing up and going to a studio to take family photos.
Absolutely loving these photos Marta. Red is your colour definitely. Gorgeous!!!!
Thank you Sue!!
Nice pics. You look beautiful but, more important, you look really happy. Congratulations!
Thank you!!
You look so beautiful!
Thank you!
These are gorgeous! I love that black dress! You and C look so cute
Thank you!!