Florida Beach Portrait Guide

Over the past ten years, maternity photography has become very popular. The anticipated birth of each child into the family is being celebrated with a professional photography session to capture the time in the family's life. When considering getting pregnancy portraits done, there are some key elements to think about, including when to have the maternity session, who should be in it, and what to wear.

The best timing for the maternity session is when the woman's stomach is nice and round - but not so far along in the pregnancy that the baby may come before the pictures are taken or when there is likely to be more swelling of the feet and hands. Thirty-two to thirty-six weeks is usually a good formula so that the belly is very curvy, but the woman is still feeling good and without much swelling in the extremities.

Another thing to consider is who will be at the maternity session and in the photos? Clearly the pregnant woman will be there, but should the partner and other children also be in the session? This is a great time for a family portrait before the family expands. But it can also be a nice session to do as a more private study of the woman and the curves and the new life inside of her.

The location of the pregnancy portraits is a big consideration. There is likely to be a good amount of skin showing (at least the belly), so given that where would the woman be the most comfortable to have the session? Some women are OK with being outdoors and showing skin, while others may prefer the privacy of an indoor location like a photography studio or their home.

The desired style of the resulting images should also be carefully considered. Should they be more moody and shadowy, or light and airy, more traditional, or sexy, or fun and funky? Figuring out the style or styles of the pregnancy portraits can be done by looking on the internet for examples of other maternity photography that you like.

After having figured out the location and the styles, figuring out what to wear should be a bit easier now. For maternity sessions, the choice of what to wear includes; wearing clothes with the belly showing, doing semi-nudes with clothing, bathing suits or lingerie, doing semi-nudes with fabrics and sheers, or full nude maternity photography.

Now that you are doing the maternity session and you will have these great pregnancy portraits, where will you put them in the house? If the prints are of the family clothed, they may be able to hang anywhere in the house. For prints that are with less or no clothing, it may be a better choice to hang those prints in a more private location like the master bedroom. Creating a fine art maternity album from the prints is another great choice that can then be a more private collection.

Complementing the maternity portrait session with a newborn photography session after the baby is born is an excellent idea. Once you have professional photographs of the pregnancy, putting professional newborn portraits into the same room or album can really finish up the project and create a family keepsake that will be treasured for generations.

 Allegan Photography-Michigan

More to Do at Daytona Beach

Wednesday, April 16, 2008, 8:00:00 AM

Enjoy endless excitement and fun things to do at the waterfront playground Daytona Beach, Florida. Experience family fun that draws thousands of visitors every year, making East Central Florida one of America's favorite vacation destinations.

Sarasota and Venice Residents Rate Caspersen Beach Park the Most Popular

Tuesday, April 15, 2008, 8:00:00 AM

Expect pure beach fun at Sarasota County Caspersen Beach Park. Wow, this is a natural beach zone perfect for nature lovers and beach walking. Known for its shark teeth hunting, it draws wildlife of all kinds, manatees, sea turtles, and bald eagles. Florida residents of Venice, Bradenton, and Boca Grande love this beach, and you should too!

The Most Unique Beach Area in Florida, Ponce Inlet Lighthouse Park

Thursday, April 10, 2008, 8:00:00 AM

One of our favorite Florida Beach areas is East Central Florida, from the Space Coast and Cocoa Beach, north to Daytona Beach. Right along the Atlantic Ocean, and just loaded with great attractions. Eventually we found our new favorite beach, yes it is Ponce Inlet's Lighthouse Point Park.

We Hit the Florida Beach Vacation Jackpot, Fort Myers Beach is Wonderful

Saturday, April 05, 2008, 8:00:00 AM

Taking a chance on a friend's recommendation, we had no idea just how awesome is Fort Myers Beach. Staying at the Pink Shell Resort, an elegant beachfront vacation spot, we loved it. Lee County has the best beach bars and restaurants and the water is stunningly blue-green, and the sand is strikingly white and fine.

Clearwater Beach Things to Do: Boating, Cruises, Beach Bars, and More

Friday, February 08, 2008, 8:00:00 AM

Each day touring Clearwater Beach is a chance to discover something unique while enjoying one of the best beach towns in Florida. Yes, it is loaded with fun options: Live Music, Dolphin Cruises, Water Sports, and Surfside Beach Bars, to name a few. A dynamic schedule of events, the boating, and the white sandy beach keeps the locals coming. This town is known for its beautiful beaches and picturesque sunsets, but there is so much more.

Exciting and Affordable Weekend Beach Vacation Fun at St. Pete Beach

Monday, January 28, 2008, 8:00:00 AM

Breathtaking Gulf Water views greet you at Pinellas County's most famous beach zone, St. Pete Beach. Wow, an island loaded with soft white sand and clear water. This is a tropical beach town named among the Top 10 Beaches Areas in the U.S.

Our Favorite Beaches

The Focus: Unique Flavor and Style

As a natural born Floridian, with 40+ years of a fun-and-sun beach play, it was an honor that Fun-Florida-Getaways asked for my help in selecting some of the top beaches in Florida. I grew up as a child playing and loving the beaches around my home near Lido Beach. Having lived in Sarasota, Bradenton, Ft. Myers, Miami, Key West, Ft. Lauderdale, to name a few, I felt my years of loving and exploring the beaches all over Florida are worthy of this honor.

While the most recognized beach venues are typically very nice and worthy of the popularity...it is the uniqueness and local flavor that adds the spice to a special place in the sand. The selections that follow all promise relaxation, variety, great views, and beachside getaways that are special, one-of-a-kind, and will have you coming back for more!

Pancake Breakfast on the Beach

It's Holmes Beach

That's right, a wonderfully prepared all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast for about six bucks, right along the Gulf waters. Have coffee, breakfast, read the paper and then take a magnificent walk on this nice Manatee County shoreline. Located on Anna Maria Island, not too far from Bradenton, you get the a top beach with great water and sunset views to cherish.

The area has so many neat things to see and do...Anna Maria Island is a great area to explore on bikes, has two first class piers for fishing, with some super beach pubs, cafes, and shopping spots. If you get a chance, this is a fantastic must-do Florida beach. Expect a laid-back beach town feel, to relax and enjoy. (more)

Show me the Waves!

Cocoa Beach

Treat yourself to a wonderful weekend or day trip and enjoy the big waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Here you get to swim right along side the local surfers and a enjoy a fantastic wide-stretch of sandy beach. It is Cocoa Beach, home to the great beach gear shopping at Ron John's Surf Shop and the beach proclaimed as the as Florida's surfing capital.

Right in the middle of Cocoa Beach is the always fun to see and do Cocoa Beach Pier which juts way out over the ocean. This wonderful landmark is great to dine or drink cocktails, all the while absorbing the picturesque coastline and the surfers below, day or night! This is a great little beach town to getaway and enjoy beach side bars with live music, excellent dining, shopping, and nearly every water sport you can think of. Cocoa Beach is a great outdoor playground! (more)

A Top-10 Beach

Fort Desoto's North Beach

Down on the south side of Pinellas County you will find a beach treasure that is yours for the taking. It is absolutely a wonderful beach zone named North Beach. This beach park is part of St. Petersburg's Fort Desoto Park, a monster beach park that is actually made up of a group of connecting islands that extend out into the Gulf.

This beach park is so rare, as much of the area is preserved and so very natural. The combination of the white sand, tall trees, and gorgeous water gives North Beach a special appeal. Martha Jackson was sunning comfortably and stated, "We come back at least monthly. My kids love the playgrounds and rafting on the water. We take long walks and just really enjoy the views". North Beach has been highly awarded by many TV, newspapers, and magazines as being a top-10 U.S. beach.

Nearly ever sort of beach activity is here to enjoy as well. The park's 20+ boat ramps helps make this a boating bonanza. You can bring or rent kayaks and enjoy the calm bayside water. There are miles of paved trails for you biking and rollerblading. Fort Desoto's picnic facilities are well maintained and abundant. It is a hot spot for fishing, with two nice piers to cast from. The park even has a lot of nature trails to enjoy. So you have plenty of options, all with spectacular views. (more)