Two Becoming Three

There are some secrets that are just too exciting to keep quiet for long.

This pregnancy announcement session was an extra special one for me because Ashley (the beautiful glowing mama to be in the photos of this blog post) is a friend of mine, and getting to photograph such a huge chapter for her and her partner made the whole afternoon that little bit sweeter.

We kept their Rockhampton pregnancy announcement photos relaxed, romantic and a little playful, with plenty of room for the two of them to simply enjoy the excitement and anticipation of becoming parents.

And, of course, we had to include those first tiny glimpses of their baby.

Creating a Special Ultrasound Keepsake

One detail from this session that I especially loved was the ultrasound photo strip.

Growing up in America, I was used to seeing those classic little printed ultrasound photos that parents take home after an appointment and tuck into baby books, stick on the fridge or keep in a box for years to come.

Here in Australia, many ultrasound providers now supply scans digitally rather than printing physical ultrasound photos to take home. While having digital copies is incredibly convenient, there is something so sentimental about having an actual little photograph in your hands.

For a lot of new parents, it is one of the very first physical keepsakes they have of their baby.

So when Ashley sent me her ultrasound images, I decided to turn them into something she could actually hold during their pregnancy announcement session. I designed and printed custom ultrasound photo strips using their own scan images, giving us a meaningful little detail to incorporate into the photos and giving them something physical to keep afterwards.

It took a little extra work behind the scenes, but those are exactly the kinds of details I love putting thought into for my clients.

They weren’t just props for a photograph. They were their baby’s first photos, turned into a keepsake.

Pregnancy Announcement Photos That Feel Like You

Pregnancy announcement photography doesn’t have to mean standing in a field holding a sign and smiling at the camera.

(Unless that’s your thing, of course then by all means lets go for it)

For this session, I wanted the photos to feel genuinely like my clients and fit their personalities as well as their relationship and the bond they share. We incorporated their ultrasound strips throughout the session, but we didn’t build every photograph around them. Some images were about the announcement, some were about their love story, and some were simply about documenting this strange, exciting little in between season before welcoming their first baby into the world.

That balance is something I love about pregnancy announcement sessions.

You can create the photograph that very clearly says, “We’re having a baby!” while still walking away with images of the two of you that you’ll love long after the announcement has been posted.

Pregnancy Announcement Photo Ideas

If you’re planning pregnancy announcement photos in Rockhampton or Central Queensland, you really don’t need to overcomplicate things.

Ultrasound photos are a beautiful place to start because they’re already personal to your pregnancy. You could also bring baby shoes, a tiny outfit, flowers, a handwritten note or another keepsake that means something to you.

Or bring absolutely nothing! Either way, I've got you and we're gonna get some announcement photos that fit your vibe.

Your pregnancy announcement can be romantic, funny, understated, sentimental or completely outside the box. The important part is that it feels like YOU! And if you need a little help figuring that part out.. don't worry you're in great hands and we can tailor your session to be exactly what you want.

Keeping Your Pregnancy Announcement Session Relaxed

If being photographed isn’t exactly your favourite pastime or the idea of someone telling you to "softly smile, act natural" makes you feel even more awkward, you’re in very good company because SAME.

You don’t need to arrive knowing how to pose, where to look or what on earth you’re supposed to do with your hands. That’s quite literally what you’re paying me for.

I’ll give you direction when you need it, but I also want to leave enough room for your personalities and your relationship to come through. While also make sure you're looking stunning in the process.

Because you’re not just creating a pregnancy announcement for social media or to show family and friends, You’re documenting the two of you at the very beginning of becoming someone’s parents, and I promise your future little one will wanna see those photos.

When Should You Take Pregnancy Announcement Photos?

There really isn’t one perfect time to book pregnancy announcement photography.

Some couples want photos shortly after receiving their first ultrasound images. Others prefer to wait until later in the first trimester or until they feel comfortable sharing their pregnancy publicly.

If you already have an announcement date in mind, REACH OUT TO YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER ASAP!! We wanna get you booked so you get your images back in time for your announcement date and so you've got time to prepare. (Outfits, location etc.)

And if you have absolutely no idea what you want yet, that’s okay too. We can figure that part out together.

From Pregnancy Announcement Photos to Maternity Photography

One of the beautiful things about photographing pregnancy is just how quickly everything changes.

Those tiny ultrasound images eventually become a growing belly, and before you know it, the little person in those photographs is here.

Pregnancy announcement photography and maternity photography document two completely different parts of that journey. One captures the excitement of telling the world that someone is coming. The other captures this incredibly temporary version of you before they arrive.

BOTH deserve a place in the family photo box.

Rockhampton Pregnancy Announcement and Maternity Photographer

If you’re looking for a Rockhampton pregnancy announcement photographer or planning maternity photos in Central Queensland, I’d love to create something that feels personal to you too.

Opal Eye Photos is based in Rockhampton, Queensland and offers pregnancy announcement photography, maternity photography, couples photography, family photography and creative photography sessions throughout Central Queensland.

Perfect is overrated, come as you are and we'll take it from there.

Thanks for reading, guys.

Love, Summer

Opal Eye Photos