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 it says more about your parent's prudishness that your Dad found it too erotic.

Also. They were rude and should have just shut up and said nothing. Its not like you could undo the photos.

Are they always critical of you?

I remember a great grandma coming up and telling me she really didn't like my wedding bouquet.. and why. for about 15 minutes.. what's the actual point. Too late to run out and buy a replacement so what was she hoping to achieve other than make me feel bad. You parents doing the same thing. Pointless comments.
😂
I did throw it into a crowd of girls though.

Erotic? No. TMI? Yes. My assumption for photo shoots like this is that they are for the couple, and not to be shared beyond that.

I do agree that use of the word erotic is probably not appropriate. But I wonder if it was just a knee jerk reaction to not really knowing what to say when confronted with the pictures.

Okay, a lot of people seem to be stuck on the social media thing. I did not have these photos taken to post on social media, I don’t have a social media nor would I post pregnancy photos on it if I did. I sent to a few close people in my life who I thought were excited about my pregnancy 😅

It’s rare not to see ?! Mad.

Bloody hell you'd all hate me, I have a photo of me ready to pop in my underwear on our mantelpiece. I think it is gorgeous.

Very strange reaction from your father OP.

I don't think it's "grim", but I don't think it's special or wonderful either. The idea of a posed photoshoot makes me want to cringe myself inside out and the half-open dress is just weird. Of course a state of deliberately partial undressing in a photo is going to have some element of sexual undertones.

Okay good points. Although not sure it was a knee jerk reaction cause it was literally 4 months later when he said it.

😂
good for you! I think pregnancy is beautiful and you only get to experience it a few times in your life if you’re lucky

Of course it's normal to have a pregnancy photoshoot. There are entire businesses dedicated to it. Nothing abnormal about it.

I'd be selective on sharing the pics, though.

I find most ‘maternity’ shoots hideous.
i can’t blame them for feeling uncomfortable, I always do aswell!! I think it’s the sort of thing you do for yourself and don’t show anyone ever tbh. It sounds quite tacky and if they make you feel good then great but I wouldn’t share them.

I wouldn't have any sort of photo shoot ever because it's just not for me, I don't quire get why you think it implies that tge people who do like them think they're the first person to get pregnant ever though....
Why do you think that

What do you mean " hate"?
Incomprehension yes that a private event in a couples life has to be turned into a public spectacle.
And sadness that people's life's have been turned into performances.
But hate ? Just because I find the whole thing abnormal?
I just keep thinking about The Truman show. How do people who live their whole lives on social media see that I wonder?

Does anyone comment on it?? I would be so awkward sat on your sofa with that picture 🫠 if I half knew you eg parent at kids school and popped in to collect kid or whatever! I suspect people are quite silent about it unless they’re really good old friends x

Yeah I think they are quite prudish now I’m thinking of it. Didn’t really realise until now. No, I don’t think they are usually critical of me at all really. I guess I must have just made them uncomfortable.

well that’s rude, great grandma!

Well it might be normal in your world but not in mine.
The very fact you think it's normal just shows how warped life is now.
You might like to reflect on the fact a baby is a human being and not a fashion accessory.
And surprise surprise that people are making money out of it .

Haha I don’t have them printed and framed on the wall 🤣 I haven’t printed them at all, I just have them saved on my phone. I sent them via messenger

Maybe ‘cos it’s Australia and you have nice weather?

I can attest this is not a thing at Troon beach.

I don't think there is anything gross about a pregnant stomach and a body growing a baby is a beautiful thing. However, I wouldn't expect my DD to ever send me a picture of her in underwear or with her dress unbuttoned. Wearing a bikini on a beach would be different.

But I am their own dd? I didn’t print it out or share with the whole world lol

Could it be the type of dress OP? From what I’ve seen online a lot of them are see through or voile type that simulate lingerie. If it was a normal summer dress with just the buttons around the belly undone to show it off (can’t quite imagine that looking nice , but hey ho) then they’re being weird.

There’s nothing inherently erotic about a baby bump (unless that’s what floats your boat) , but some outfits and poses can have sexy/erotic connotations simply by association iykwim. You’ll know if that’s the case or not.

Maybe it looked a bit intimate?

Interesting, even though in a bikini there is way more skin showing?

I agree with this.

I'd just have them for you and your DH to look at.

You said in the op it was your dad and stepmum so therefore at least one of them you’re not the biological child of?

My Dad, ALSO A KIWI, was the world's biggest fusspot and prude.

Just wait till your parents get an eyeful of your birth video. ;)