We’ve all seen the Insta-clichés and oh-so-typical Facebook announcements… You don’t want to be on that list with the millions. You’re not a regular mom, you’re a cool mom.
Let’s announce it to the world and set the tone to everyone that you’re a MILF as soon as you step into the scene. Having a baby is so exciting and keeping it a secret for an average of 12 weeks (this way you don’t have to announce a miscarriage as well) is so hard.
Eventually, you’ll be so tired of speculations you’ll just want to scream it out on the rooftops. Instead, let’s scream it with an epic coming out.
Pregnancy Announcements to Avoid
People are going to seriously come after me for these, but I’m here to spread the gospel that so many need to hear. So, let’s get started.
- The Digital Etsy Download
- The Holding of The Sign
- Your Pet
- Your Already Born Children… Holding Another Sign
The Most Cringe-Worthy Announcements
- The Wedding Rings and Pacifier. I have no words for this one.
- The GUESS WHO??? Can you believe it’s not his beer gut? So funny.
- The Classic Bun in the oven. So original.
- Your 1st Trimester Face in the toilet bowl. If you’re like anything like me that picture already exists somewhere on your best friend’s phone and doesn’t need to be relived.
(Disclaimer: If you’re reading this and have done any of these pictures in the past, I’m sorry and I love you.)
Finding Unique Pregnancy Announcement Inspiration
Rather than searching “Pregnancy Announcements” that will bring up all the Announcement Avoids that have been overdone in your browser, let’s search for something a little more organic that will bring up lots of unique out-of-the-box photo opportunities to draw inspiration from.
Add your first ultrasound pictures to any inspiration you find!
Pull up Pinterest and Type Examples:
- Couples Photography
- Unique Couples Photography
- Trendy Couples Photography
- Fashion Pregnancy Photos
If you have a specific scenery in mind Examples:
- Desert Couples Photography
- Beachy Couples Photography
- City Couples Photography
Or a classic SZN inspiration Examples:
- Winter Couples Photography
- Fall Couples Photography
- Y’all get the point, I’m sure.
When you find a vibe you love, save them in a new board, you call “Pregnancy Announcements.”
This is where you will save all your pictures and show your vision to your photographer.
Finding the right photographer can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Here is how you will find them.
Finding Your Perfect Photographer
What trendy city do you live in or near?
This is going to be the first part of your search for the perfect photographer.
There are so many talented artists in every state, you just need to know how to find them. The best search engine for any service is always Instagram.
Here is exactly how I Found my Pregnancy Announcement photographer
- What trendy city am I nearby?
- Dallas, TX
- What service am I looking for?
- Couples’ photographer
- Go to the Instagram search bar and search under the hashtag bar and top category. This will bring up photos you can look through and show editing styles you resonate with.
- Dallas couple’s photographer
- Dallas couples’ photography
- Dallas Photographer
- When you find pictures you love, click on the photograph and go to their account. From there you can further explore and follow their work! Keep a list of potential hires for your photos and compare. You will know when you fall in love with your chosen one. Here is mine!
I am a full-time RV living traveler. I move to a new location in the country at least every 4 – 6 months.
I have done this type of search repeatedly several times. The first place to look for any artist whether it be for photography, hair or makeup, lashes, nails, or anyone who offers a service, is Instagram always.
I used to teach exact techniques for building your business on social media when I worked full-time in upscale salons.
If you do not want to be disappointed or nervous about how a service will be fulfilled, stalk them on the ‘Gram.
You must pick someone who has your exact style, especially when it comes to photo editing.
There is nothing more frustrating than getting your pictures back and not loving the edits.
Not only that, but you and your photographer will be able to build off your original vision easily if you have the same vibe.
Finding your Style
Navigating your new pregnant body is a STRUGGLE.
I had quite a few mental breakdowns over this throughout my first trimester and undoubtedly questioned why I wanted to be pregnant in the first place, more than once.
Even though you don’t look pregnant yet… nothing fits. Yay.
Your next Pinterest board if you haven’t one already:
- Pregnancy Outfits
Eventually, after I stopped selfishly hating my new body, I found I LOVE styling my baby bump.
It’s something new and exciting. I have found it fun to reinvent my style and a little bit of my wardrobe when I occasionally step outside of my camper. Keep in mind when you do buy new items ask yourself…
“Can I wear this after the baby arrives?”
If you can, always go for that option.
There are a few things you obviously will not be able to buy that you need / would want to be able to fit into after pregnancy is over…
Let’s be honest, Maternity clothes are basically tents for your bump, not flattering.
Types of Outfits that Flatter Your Bump
When planning to become pregnant I thought I would want to wear things such as this.
The reality was that now that I have a bump, I found these styles of dresses do not accentuate my new curves at all. It feels like you are wearing a tent, not that you are cute and pregnant.
For your Pregnancy announcement photos, you want to undoubtedly show that you are pregnant… without a sign anywhere in sight.
If you are wearing what feels like a tent in your first trimester, it will hide that you are pregnant. This is not the look we are trying to achieve. That kind of outfit is for a different subject matter entirely.
Shopping Tips
Here is a list of things to look for when shopping for your Pregnancy Announcement Outfits:
- Solid and Simple Patterns. Add texture to the mix for interest! You don’t want the pattern to take over the picture subject which is you and your baby!
- Cuts / Shapes that hit right below the chest and a shapely flow down. Not too flowy, we want to show off that bump still!
- STRETCH. All stretch everything is a rule of thumb when pregnant.
- Form Fitting with side stitching. You’ll end up buying it in every color, I promise.
- Layering. Fitted with a long-line jacket or cardigan? A pregnant closet staple.
- Your look, but elevated. What would you wear to your favorite brunch spot with your coolest girlfriends?
- Refer back to your “Pregnancy Outfits” Pinterest board regularly. The goal is to recreate your favorite looks with your style, not copy.
- Get your outfits dialed in within 2 weeks of your shoot date. You don’t want to plan too far in advance only to find it doesn’t fit anymore right before the big day.
Important Shopping Tips for Your Partner:
- When picking out outfits for your partner (that is if you have one, single moms are badass and you are such an inspiration), pick them something cohesive within a color tone family, or scheme. DO NOT OVERDO THE MATCH. You don’t want to end up on BuzzFeed’s “Awkward Family Photos.”
- Find what you want to wear first, take that with you if you’re shopping, and hold them side by side. Do they vibe well? Always Bring a few options.
The Week Of Shoot
It’s the week of your Pregnancy Announcements! Now your time to pamper yourself.
We’re Talkin’:
- Nails. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on this, a simple nude polish change is a budget-friendly option. If you hate that idea, clean and trimmed is fine as well.
- Hair. Do you color your hair? Get your roots touched up girly. Light has a funny way of accentuating roots and being shown off in photographs.
- Spray Tan. You’re pregnant. This means limited time spent in the sun for that natural glow. Unless you are blessed by the Gods, I highly recommend a bronzed glow-up. Don’t be scared, artificial tans have come a long way.
- Brow and Lip Wax. This is a non-negotiable in my opinion. You don’t want a dark shadow across your smile in your photos, I promise you. If you don’t know where to go the Ulta Benefit Brow Bar I have found to be a consistent quality across the states. This is my go-to spot. If you really want to feel glamourous, get a brow tint as well. Get them done about a week in advance to let your skin settle if you’re sensitive.
- Practice your Hair and Makeup. Going to a salon the day of is always an option for your photos. If you don’t want to spend the additional money, watch some tutorials on YouTube and practice! I suggest searching for photoshoot hair and makeup tutorials. There are specific things you need to look out for in camera-ready makeup… Click here for tips for Camera Ready Makeup and Hair Hacks.
Feeling Confident in Your Photos
I was so nervous leading up to my photos even though I have modeled in my past for shoots. Why? My body was foreign to me, I didn’t know how to pose my pregnant figure to look its best.
You can pose any shape and size to look STUNNING, but it’s all about angles. If you stuck through till the end here is my best advice for beautiful photos, you deserve it.
My Number One Piece of Advice to Look Beautiful and Feel Confident in Your Pregnancy Announcements:
- Watch YouTube videos on how to pose for maternity photos. There is a trick to this, and it’s actually the opposite of how I was taught to pose my non-pregnant body.
- Create another Pinterest board just for maternity poses with and without your partner. Look at these with your photographer during your shoot.
If you find an amazing photographer like I did, they will help guide you through your pictures. Don’t feel like you have to have it all figured out.
They know what to say and will tell you what to do to make you loosen up and get the shot.
If you’re in Texas and would like her to photograph you check her out on Instagram @Sydneytaylorphoto or at www.taylormediaco.com, email her info@taylormediaco.com.
If you follow this ultimate formula to create the pregnancy announcement of your dreams, you will not be disappointed.
This is a pivotal moment in your life, you deserve beautiful documentation of this time that you will love for decades to come.
Can you imagine your future grandchildren seeing these in old photo albums?
xo
Kelsey
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