PREGNANCY #2: DIY Maternity Silhouette Photoshoot

If you follow me over on my social media channels then you'll probably know how tough I found last week. I had gone into labour early with Isabella, so we fully expecting that to happen again but it didn't. I felt like I was entering the unknown, which just made me feel out of sorts and unsettled. I became so emotional and wasn't sure what to do with each day, too scared to leave the house in case my waters broke yet wanting to make the most of the time. So to try and make the most of still being pregnant I decided to do a mini DIY Maternity Silhouette Photoshoot. It took a good few hours, though it didn't feel like that! It's nice to have captured my 39 week bump 'properly' if you will, as I didn't do anything like this when pregnant with Isabella.

I have seen silhouette photos of Pinterest and always felt so inspired by them, but had no idea how you create the silhouette. I thought the room had to be completely dark, yet there needed to be a light source? I just didn't 'get it'. Now I feel pretty silly because it is so easy and requires almost no fancy equipment.

All you'll need is:

Sheer/thin curtains

(I used the ones in Isabella's new bedroom because they're so thin and were £12 from IKEA)

Large window

Camera

(I don't have a DSLR, so it certainly doesn't need to be a fancy one)

Tripod

(or way of your camera being around shoulder height)

In-built timer on camera or camera remote

Black leggings

Tight long sleeved top in a dark colour

Props, optional

How to create the silhouette:

1) Set your camera up so that it is about shoulder height, facing directly towards the window and as zoomed in as you would like. You then need to set the timer to as long as possible, mine was 10 seconds.

2) Press the button to take a photo, go and stand right in front of the window and pose. Once the picture has been taken you can retake the photo as many times as you want to, readjusting your positioning, angle etc. I must have taken nearly 100 photos for this set of photos, simply because I'd keep changing something very minute. For instance, if my hair had a random flick in it, or my top had become gathered at the back, or I didn't like the positioning of my head etc. You have to think of the silhouette you're creating, whether your hair is up or down can have a big impact on the look of the photo.

3) You can add props into the photos for something a bit different. At the bottom of this post are photos of the props I used in sunlight. They were just items I found around the house, nothing expensive or bought especially.

4) Once you've taken a group of photos you are happy with then import your favourite ones onto your tablet/phone/laptop and edit them. This will help to create a bigger contrast between you and the light source. On Wednesday I will be publishing a step-by-step guide of how I edited these photos if you're interested in how I did it.

These are the props I used:

Then the next day Isabella got involved and I finally got the photo I've wanted to throughout this whole pregnancy. Isabella kissing my bump! You don't know how many times and how hard I've tried to get that shot, but finally, with only days to spare, we managed it. To get Isabella to the right height she was standing on a stool, in case you were wandering.

Have/would you have a go at doing your own maternity photoshoot?

Feel free to leave a comment - I love reading every single one :)

Helen x