Parents said my maternity photos were “erotic”

[Ttcgirl89]

I had maternity photos taken on the beach when I was pregnant. I live in Australia and am from NZ and recently my parents came to visit us and meet our baby. I was looking through photos and my dad said that the maternity photos were “erotic” and my stepmum agreed. My brother asked what we were talking about and my Dad was like “you don’t wanna look at them, they’ll make you blush”.

I sent the photos to them after I had them done months ago and I thought they were so lovely and special. They were taken at “our beach” where my husband and I swim in summer I am wearing a dress in all of the photos and my bra is covered, with the buttons down the front undone to show the belly. My husband and I don’t see anything erotic about these photos at all and I was shocked that they thought that. I feel really awkward and embarrassed now that I sent them to them if that’s what they thought about them!

Is this a weird reaction to seeing your daughter’s maternity pictures?

I think that the beach by our house is known to photographers as a good location for sunset photos so that’s probably why. It’s not every time I visit the beach, it’s every evening when we go for a walk at sunset. If I go during the day there are no photos being taken.

No, I wasn’t aware of that!
when you say not so long ago, what are you talking?

It is normal for women having babies now.

Likely in your father's lifetime.

@Ttcgirl89 if you wouldn't unbutton your frock to take a snap of your tummy when you aren't pregnant, why on earth would you do it when you are pregnant? Is it customary to photoshop the stretchmarks?

When I was at term with dd, dh took a snap in our bedroom of my tummy. Not a picture to be shared but it was the only pg I got to term.

I'd say last week. It's a tad vulgar.

Who knew that Australia was overrun with people taking maternity photos?! You learn something new every day.
London has a very dense population and I've never seen a maternity shoot.

Oh, give over. I had belly photos taken when I had mine and I am 51!

I didn't show my Mum as she was a bit old fashioned and would have made a rude comment though.
My daughter had them taken and I thought they were lovely. I did talk her out of the 'cows in the background' that was very fashionable for a while. Long flow-y hair, white flow-y dress and cows...

PS That was because I hated the 'cow' comments when I was feeding.
I am sure they are lovely OP.

I’m Australian and I have never seen anyone having maternity photos taken, on a beach or anywhere else.

I follow a professional photographer on instagram and she does take maternity photos. They seem to appeal to the kind of person who likes to roll around naked in the forest.

Slightly weird wording from them. But I do think pregnancy photos showing skin can come across as showing off your body in a way you wouldn't usually to family or say work colleagues. Everyone has a slightly different line, eg who they would show a photo of themselves in a bikini, and whether it makes a difference whether the photo was taken to show off how amazing they look in a bikini vs that they happened to be wearing one while water skiing on holiday or something. I think pregnancy photos are beautiful, and pregnant bodies are amazing, but I would personally only show people the very modest ones in a fully buttoned long flowy dress in silhouette or something.

I wouldn’t know if that’s customary, I didn’t get any ☺️

This was part of a deliberate campaign to remove the sense of 'indecency' from pregnancy. It's ridiculous when you think about it - those who would 'rather not see' a pregnancy bump can only be coming from one of two perspectives: either they're shocked by the evidence you've had sex (bizarre, especially if you're married) or they cannot bear the sight of a woman whose belly is not flat.

I wouldn't pander to either of those perspectives, they're insane. FWIW, OP, I'm the age of your grandparents and am not remotely horrified by bump photos!

I really hope your Dad didn't mean 'erotic'. That would raise some disturbing questions ...

I’m curious, how old are you @RosesAndHellebores ?

Yes, people who like to have maternity photos and like to roll around naked in the bush are one and the same.

Wholeheartedly agree with this. And like other pp I love your good natured sense of humour responses to everything that has been thrown at you. You are clearly a very easy going and open minded person.

In answer to your question, no I wouldn’t think erotic but I would think that they should be private maybe. My niece had these sort of pics done and she did post them on SM. I liked them to be polite and she is gorgeous but I did think I would have kept them just for me and partner and not for anyone else, so I guess that would be my personal stance.

I agree with other pp that maybe your dad chose the wrong word but also maybe would consider them private. Different generations have different approaches too. I’m sure your dad didn’t mean to upset you, so I would just chalk it up to that - and not send him any more pics other than fully dressed etc. lol

Seems like maybe we need another campaign if the comments on this thread are anything to go by 😅

Thank you @MangaMoo ☺️

I'm definitely seeing that not everyone sees them how I do and that’s fine.

good advice 😅

Blimey what's next , beautiful photos of your babies conception ! I'm no prude but is nothing private anymore !

Yeah nah. I live right on Cronulla beach and I've never ever seen anyone doing these. It's a very cashed up bogan thing to do IMO.

Totally agree.

Mean spirited responses on here. Written by people too old and bitter because they are no longer fertile and able to have lovely bump photos taken like the OP. This thread shows the worst of women.

Ignore OP. Enjoy your photos and your baby when he or she arrives. Of course you feel special. Your body is doing an amazing thing. Of course you're not the first, but it's the first time for you. Carry on. Perhaps the photos would have been better kept for you and your partner but they don't sound over the top and your dad should have been more polite I think.

Perhaps because it’s a very personal thing, but it’s just a bit ick - probably best to keep for yourselves TBH

Is that a woman on a beach?

What's put you in your judgy pants? There is no bandwagon- maternity photos aren't a new thing. And the use of "inflicted" says a lot about you, too.

Oh, the irony. I'm now being judgy of you.

I've not seen any being TAKEN but I do see them from time time on social media. Friends etc. My sister had an informal one taken in 1983 when pregnant with her first. Fully clothed.
Not at all uncommon but no need for so many to be naked or almost so.

I know of at least 3 successful photographers who take them. Nothing "cashed up" about it.

There are some really mean posters on this thread.