There are few things more beautiful than a precious maternity shoot. Just like any other photoshoot, your personalized photo session should capture your unique story as an expectant mother. One increasingly popular maternity photo ideas that’s taking by storm in pregnancy photography is through a maternity milk bath photoshoot. 

Milk bath photography is becoming a trend especially when thinking of pregnancy photo ideas and for good reason– It’s a safe way to capture you and your bump in an effortlessly gorgeous setting. Below, we’ll share everything you need to know about maternity milk bath photoshoots so that you can determine if it’s a good fit for your needs. 

What’s Milk Bath Photography and How Do They Work? 

As you might’ve guessed, a milk bath involves adding whole milk or milk powder to a traditional bath. This creates a more opaque surrounding while capturing the intimacy of pregnancy, typically allowing the “bump” to poke through the milky water. 

The milk and water blend can be decorated with colors, fresh flowers, petals, leaves, and even sparkles depending on a client’s needs. Not only does this create a gorgeous photo setting, it also makes for a luxurious experience for the client– Some spas offer milk baths for their skin rejuvenating properties. In fact, legend has it that queen Cleopatra herself took to milk baths to soften her skin. 

Are Milk Bath Photoshoots Safe?

Luckily, milk baths are perfectly safe for just about anyone, including those experiencing pregnancy. With that in mind, it’s probably not the ideal choice for you if you’re lactose intolerant or tend to have a reaction to dairy. Luckily, there are plenty of other ways to capture your pregnancy in a beautiful way. 

One nice perk about having your maternity milk bath photography taken by me is right after your maternity photoshoot in the tub, I’ll leave you be to allow you time to take a shower and rinse off any excess residue. You’ll be provided with a plastic bag you can put your wet clothing in, and all amenities such as body wash, shampoo and hair conditioner will available for you to use. Your skin is sure to feel silky smooth and you’ll have a stunning set of photos to look forward to. 

What Should You Wear During A Milk Bath Photoshoot? 

Your wardrobe depends completely on your preferences, though you’ll want to communicate with your photographer ahead of time so that they can prepare accordingly. You could go in a bathing suit or shoot in a maternity gown. You could also shoot in a set of underwear, though make sure it’s not too tight to prevent any unwanted marks on the skin in photos. In some cases, it may be wise to have multiple outfits or options available on shoot day. As long as you’re working with your photographer, your choice wardrobe is bound to be perfect for your maternity shoot. 

How To Prepare For A Maternity Milk Bath Photoshoot

Preparing for your maternity shoot can be nerve wracking, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a couple of tips to ensure that your milk bath photoshoot is a total success:

Make sure you put in the work with pre-planning. Above all, the best thing you can do to properly prepare for a photoshoot of any variety is to make sure you carry out all pre-planning processes correctly. Take the time to think about what you would like your photos to look like, and communicate with your photographer well before the session. You’ll want to make sure you don’t miss any planning sessions and clear up any questions about the shoot you may have well in advance to the shoot day. This won’t just give you peace of mind, it also ensures that you get a stunning photoset that you’ll cherish for years to come. 

Iron out any final touches before your shoot day. You’ll want to get a manicure or pedicure a couple of days before the session. Make sure to wash your hair before shoot day, drink plenty of water and get a good night’s rest so that you can glow on set. 

Have your outfit ready the night before your shoot. Your shoot day should be as seamless as possible, so take any precautions necessary to make sure that you’re properly prepared. Make sure you’ve secured transportation to and from the photo session, and back your outfit and any other needed accessories the night before your session. 

Enjoy yourself during the photoshoot! Above all, don’t forget that your milk bath photoshoot is a celebration of you and your future human! This is a time to celebrate by relaxing and capturing this special moment in your life. Remember that your photographer will work to make you look your absolute best– All you have to do is follow guiding directions and have a great time!

Maternity milk bath photoshoots are gorgeous, eye-catching, and a whole lot of fun. Enjoy capturing this unique moment in time while pampering yourself. You deserve it! 

XS Sharon Photography is a Vancouver based full-service photographer specializing in magazine-styled maternity, motherhood and portrait photography. Inspired by fashion and fine art, she strives to create more than just a photo but a timeless work of art for her clients. Contact me today to find out more about my maternity photography services and how I can help create portraits of you during an extremely special and intimate moment in your life.

UPDATE MAR 2023: UNFORTUNATELY, I NO LONGER OFFER MILK BATH PHOTOGRAPHY.