How-To: Create Breathtaking Milk Bath Maternity Photos

Milk bath maternity photos have increasingly popular within the last couple years. Many leading photographers are using milk bath photos to capture all different subjects. Such as maternity portraits, but babies, mommy and baby, boudoir, even some fashion photography shoots. Many clients along with aspiring photographers are drawn to this new look. Something about the contrast between the white milk and the natural beauty and bare pregnant belly is calling us! Below I am going to give you some helpful tips to make sure your milk bath maternity photos turn out absolutely breathtaking! To see more of my maternity images Click Here!!

Milk bath maternity photos by Marie Grantham Photography In Las Vegas, Nv

Frequently Asked Questions

I often get questions like, How do you make the images look like that? How much milk should I use for milk bath maternity photos? What colors look best? Can we get enough images for a whole gallery for a client? Should I use powdered milk or real milk for the photo shoot?

To answer some of these questions: First, I generally first start with thinking about the lighting in the bathroom we are going to be using. Making sure there are no harsh rays of light coming into the tub area. This would effect our exposure and possibly blow out our highlights. Then, make sure the surrounding areas are free of clutter. Giving our images a clean calming look and style. Next, I fill the bath tub to the desired water level. Then I add the powdered milk. If you do it the other way around the water tends to bubble up. While, bubble baths are fun this is def not the look we are going for. Plus it would be very time consuming in photoshop to edit out each bubble.

Personally I love using different colors for milk bath maternity photos. Using color makes them pop a lot more. At least in comparison to the common white or cream colored maternity gowns a lot of photographers are using. However, beware the colors can definitely change the mood and appearance. Especially to your clients and viewers so make sure you communicate with your client if they have something specific in mind as far as colors or theme.

Adding Some Pop To Your Milk Bath Maternity Photos

Lucky for me most of my clients are open to giving me creative leeway. This helps tremendously to help me create a beautifully custom designed shoot that is unique just for them. To do this I use my knowledge of decor, photography, and extensive experience with maternity portraits and posing. I take all that and pretty much mix it together. We then decide if the client vision is to be the only focal point or if they’d like to add contrast and texture to the images by adding maternity gowns, varying flowers, and/or greenery.

Setting Up The Props

I love using lots of greenery along with flowers around the tub. While it looks so beautiful it can be a challenge to get to stay put. Especially when you are accidentally bumping it during the maternity photo shoot. A little trick I learned was to tape it to the top of the tub using clear scotch tape. Yes it works like a charm and you don’t have to edit the tape since its clear!! Woohoo 5 minutes saved there! Also When deciding color and tones make sure that all the floral and greenery coordinates together.

For greenery I generally try to stick with more sage colored green leaves. My favorite type of leaves are eucalyptus leaves. However, try to plan ahead cause sometimes the flower shops have a shortage. Which can leave you having to choose something different last minute. For my floral I like to use colors but only muted colors, so soft pinks, blue, lavender, etc. Most often I use and prefer real flowers. You can use synthetic flowers for the milk bath photos. As long as you scotch guard them first so they float, I would test them first to make sure you did it properly beforehand.

Selecting Maternity Wardrobe For Milk Bath Photos

In this department you can’t go wrong with lace, sheer fabrics like chiffon, and even nude makes for gorgeous intimate beautiful images with a sense of closeness only skin to skin can provide. When I shoot I am starting with the end in mind. I know if I am shooting with sharing and social media in mind or if I am shooting images that the client wants shot naturally without any censorship. While shooting for images I know are likely to be shared I make sure to cover all private areas. This can be done by using the milk from the milk bath, fabrics, floral or greenery, and even adding siblings or babies to the maternity photo shoot to add sense of nurture and the beauty of motherhood.

In closing I also recommend taking a look at Pinterest for inspiration. Follow other maternity photographers not only in your area but world wide. You will be surprised how much you can learn from other seasoned maternity photographers who are wiling to share their love and knowledge of maternity photography. Good luck and can’t wait to see your images!

To book your next maternity or newborn photo shoot contact Marie Grantham Photography at 702-336-1609 

Newborn Photography Studio 

2530 Saint Rose Parkway Suite 110 

Henderson, Nv 89074 

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