Before everything changes
Maternity Photography
Your body will never look this way again. We celebrate the beauty of pregnancy in a setting as surreal as the journey itself.
Photographed the way it actually feels
We’ve photographed a lot of pregnant women, and the reaction is almost always the same. They get in, the weight comes off, and they start moving like they used to. An aching back and sore muscles get a rest, and there’s nothing to do in there but relax. Most tell us afterwards they had no idea it would feel that good.
It shows in the pictures. Your belly is the center of every frame, light comes down through the surface, and fabric goes on moving long after you’ve stopped.
Teaching you the breath-hold and the posing is part of every session, so you arrive as you are, strong swimmer or not.
Hands down one of the coolest and most unique experiences and they are such a great team to work with. Totally made me feel at ease and my maternity pictures came out 10/10!
Morgan Naim, Maternity client
I won a maternity photo shoot through The Mommy Center and I was absolutely amazed at how wonderful my photos turns out! Justin & Abby were incredible to work with - they explained everything so clearly and I felt as comfortable as possible right from the start.
Maria Ball, Maternity client, Mommy Center giveaway winner · gifted session
I want to thank your entire team for their hard work on this journey. It was such a pleasure to experience the magic.
Jessie Jewels
No two sessions alike
Some mothers choose simplicity: a single length of fabric, a solid backdrop and the light coming down through the water. Others build a scene, with a full gown, flowers in the water and a partner in the frame beside them. Most land somewhere between the two, and we plan yours together on a call before the day.
Where we shoot
There are two ways to do this: the studio pool, or somewhere on location. A due date makes that a practical decision as much as a creative one.
The studio pool, Fullerton
Heated to 90°F, so you stay warm from the first frame to the last. Your own playlist plays underwater while you work, and a screen at the edge of the pool shows the frames we just shot. Watching yourself become one of these pictures is usually the moment the nerves go. A second feed runs to the living room, where whoever came with you can watch. There’s a private changing room and a bathroom. See the studio.
This is the most predictable water we work in: the same conditions every session, whatever the weather. The most stylized sessions happen here: high fashion, fine art, and any picture with a lot to get right in one frame. If you haven’t done this before, this is the water to start in.
Springs and cenotes
Springs and cenotes hold the clearest water we ever work in. Limestone walls and cavern mouths stand behind you, and light comes down through the opening in beams with crisp edges. Some drop away into the deep. Others are shallow enough to capture the floor, the surface and the trees standing above them in one frame.
A spring is the hybrid. It looks like nowhere you could build, and the water behaves like the studio: the temperature holds, the visibility holds, and the water stays calm. Choose a spring when you want the natural version and a day you can plan.
Start to finish
Tell us your due date as early as you can, so we can plan the day. The best time to shoot is when your belly looks the way you want it in the pictures, and we’ve photographed mothers the week before their due date.
Plan it
Get in touch to book a consultation. We get to know you and your project, then plan the session with you down to the creative details, including the best time and place to shoot, anywhere in the world.
Shoot it
Our goal is to transform you into a stunning work of art, and to make the day itself fun, collaborative and safe, so you can be at your best. You should leave having created images that make you feel great about yourself and about what you can accomplish.
Deliver it
We share previews of every image captured during your session. You pick your favorites, and every one you choose goes through our creative editing process.
- The water is warm The pool is heated to 90°F, so you’re comfortable from the first frame to the last.
- Coached on the day Justin and Abbey are both in the water with you. Abbey coaches your breath-hold and your posing, and Justin talks you through every frame.
- A few seconds underwater A picture takes one short breath-hold, and you rest at the surface in between.
After the shoot
Your digital gallery
Your private proofing gallery goes up within a week of the session, and the finished images follow four to six weeks after you’ve made your selections.
Art for your wall
We believe every image is a piece of art, one-of-a-kind and made to hang proudly on your wall. They hold up at gallery size because the frames were shot and finished for it, on canvas, on metal, or framed behind glass. Tell us where you want to show your work, and we’ll work out which printing options fit it. We can also show you what a piece will look like in your own space before you order.
Safety
Plenty of the women we photograph arrive nervous about the water, and many aren’t strong swimmers. The session is gentle: there’s something at the surface to hold onto between dips, and the technique is to relax and let the water move you.
We’ve been water people our whole lives, so safety gets planned before the pictures do.
Justin shoots, and he’s been photographing underwater for over a decade; he’s also a PADI Dive Instructor. Abbey coaches, in the water beside you the whole time: how to go down, how to make it look easy, when to come up. She’s a PADI Mermaid Instructor and an experienced freediver who spent years teaching children to swim.
Everything runs at your pace. You go down when you’re ready, you come up when you want to, and you rest at the surface as long as you like in between.
Bring the people who matter most
A maternity session can be more than a solo portrait. Your partner is welcome in the water with you, and together you make your first official family portrait before the baby arrives. Plenty of partners get in expecting to stay out of the frame and come out glad they did. Family and friends are welcome too, settled in the living room watching the underwater feed on the big screen, sharing the moment as it happens.
Extras for your session
- Hair and makeup
We book a professional artist for you on request, one who works in waterproof makeup and hair that holds up underwater.
- Gowns and fabrics
Gowns and lengths of fabric to rent from our own collection, chosen to flow underwater.
- Behind the scenes video
Your session, filmed from above and below the water: raw clips, an edited reel, or both.
- Fine art prints
Canvas, metal or framed. They hold up at gallery size because the frames were shot and finished for it.
Ask about a maternity session
Tell us roughly when you’re due and we’ll set up a call from there.
Who you'll be in the water with
Justin Lutsky
Underwater Photographer & Cinematographer
PADI Dive Instructor · Public Safety Diver
Abbey Blake
Underwater Performer & Talent Coach
PADI Mermaid Instructor · Freediver
Frequently asked questions
I'm hesitant or worried about booking. I'm not sure I could ever do this. What should I do?
It is completely normal to feel a mix of excitement and nerves! Many of our clients are not professional models and have never done anything like this before. We specialize in making the impossible feel accessible. If you are feeling unsure, please reach out to us for a chat. We are happy to walk you through the process step-by-step, discuss your specific concerns, and help you decide if this adventure is right for you, no pressure attached.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
Not at all! You do not need to be a professional swimmer or diver to get great photos. For our studio sessions, we work in a controlled, heated pool where safety is our top priority. We coach you through specific breath-holding techniques and poses that look effortless but only require you to be underwater for a few seconds at a time. We also have a "float" available at the surface at all times for you to rest.
Should I check with my doctor first?
We always suggest asking. Every pregnancy is different, so check with your own doctor before you book, and we'll plan the session around what they say.
Does it hurt to open my eyes underwater?
Generally, no! In our pool studio, we maintain the water chemistry meticulously to ensure it is gentle on the eyes. On location, natural water is gentler still: ocean saltwater is natural to the eye, and spring water is fresh and clean, so neither stings the way chlorine can. We guide you on how to relax your face so you look comfortable and serene.
What should I wear?
Fabric moves differently underwater than it does on land. We recommend flowy fabrics like chiffon, tulle, or organza that drift elegantly in the water. Avoid heavy fabrics that become weighed down when wet. If you aren't using our wardrobe, we can guide you on where to source the best outfits during your consultation.
What about makeup and hair?
Waterproof makeup is a must! We highly recommend setting your makeup with a high-quality setting spray. For hair, loose styles often look best as they flow with the water. On request we book a professional HMUA (Hair & Makeup Artist) for you, one who specializes in waterproof styling, if you’d like the full VIP treatment.
What is the turnaround time for my images?
We know you are excited to see your photos! Typically, you will receive your proofing gallery within 1 week of the shoot. Once you make your final selections, the finished, high-end retouched images are usually delivered within 4–6 weeks.
