Pete Horton
Maternity Photoshoot in the South of France
A natural, spontaneous, family photoshoot in the French Riviera
This was only the second time I’ve been asked to do a maternity photoshoot; it’s not something I advertise too much and I know there are so many talented photographers on the French Riviera who specialize in it. And plus - I'm a guy(!) so, understandably, would maybe not be the first choice photographer for some; but that just makes me extra determined to repay their faith and capture the sentiments they want. It's a cliché for photographers to say that photographing this or that is a privilege (and yuck! I avoid it), but in this case I'll make an exception: being asked to photograph this particular part of a someone's journey is exactly what that feels like.
I love how these images came out – it was a beautiful, somewhat hazy, early evening (probably the perfect time for this amount of cloud cover) and the couple’s friendship and connection really shone through. the photographs were taken at Criques de la Garoupe in Antibes, which is a short taxi ride from the middle of Antibes, and it’s orientation isn’t the absolute best for setting suns, but it’s not bed, either; and it’s easier to work here than somewhere busy like the Plage des Ondes beach (also in Antibes). If you've ever tried to organize a photoshoot on the Riviera you'll know that beautiful public places are always busy at sunset - but this one isn't so bad and there's enough space to make it your own.
Organising a Maternity Photoshoot in Nice, Antibes, or Cannes
If you’re looking to organize a maternity photoshoot on the French Riviera, I think the biggest problem will be finding somewhere beautiful where there are few people/tourists. This location should definitely be considered, as should the Plage des Ondes.
Another place worth considering if the lighthouse on Cap Ferrat, which is a stunning location with relatively few people (and you can certainly park, if you’ll have a car). Finally, there is Coco Beach in Nice to consider as well, which is a reliable location and easy to get to. Both these locations are ideal for golden hour photography sessions.
What to Wear on this type of photography shoot
Not surprisingly as a male I don't advise pregnant women what to wear and think they should go with whatever they’re comfortable in. However, if I was asked, I’d say go for white or lighter pastel colors, then dress the other partner in clothes that won’t clash with theirs. White shirts are always a safe option for the accompanying partner and always look good on the Mediterranean. I’d advise men, if they're not sure, to stick to a white shirt, pastel or sandy colored trousers or smart shorts, and shoes (but obviously not if you're walking on sand!). Females being photographed on the coastal areas are advised to bring flat shoes to make access easier, high heels will be dangerous on the French Riviera's rocky coastal paths.
Maternity photography poses
I think it’s worth bringing some screenshots on your phone of imagery that you like, and we can try to emulate them. My style of photography relies on natural chemistry between couples as much as what I know and can position/correct their bodies. Every body (and everybody) is different, and so what works for others might or might not work for you, but it’s always fun tangling up arms and other limbs to re-create things. So yes, count that as advice: bring some screengrabs of things you’ve seen on Google or Pinterest image searches.
Maternity Photography Photo Gallery
