Belly Aesthetics: Do you / did you find a heavily pregnant bump beautiful or a bit ewww ?

[hub2dee]

Related to my preparations to launch a child photography business, I've started doing some bump shots and pg portraits for friends / relatives etc. Speaking to women about being photographed at 36+ weeks, I am surprised by how many don't really feel the need / have a strong aversion to a photograph recording this period in their lives.

I don't know whether this is just 'normal' British Reserve or reflects very common feelings regarding the pregnant belly.

Anyone care to reflect on how they feel / felt they looked very late in their pregnancy ? Is the idea of having some photos done in the last month simply too terrible to contemplate lol ?

FWIW - pg shots can be fully clothed, bare belly, shadowy abstracts of just the bump, shots of the whole person, images with present children / dp etc - a very wide range of styles.

pendulous is a terrible word

I loved being pregnant, I loved my bumps, and when dh asked me to let him take photographs of them, I was happy to. Just bog-standard snaps, nothing fancy - but he thought they were beautiful and wanted to have photographs to remember them by.

The bumps were far nicer than the baggy, saggy "after" version

no I mean it's a medical term

Yes,I gather that.
Still vile sounding .
(What does it mean then? As one would expect?)

Was referring to the marches in Turkey - I am several days late.

I did see mp's super-sticky-outy I think.

Ah,now I know!

Very interesting to observe.
Have been discussing with friends in Turkey (dh now in Tajikistan)

Where we were (far East) was ultra religious and one senses an ongoing battle between two factions on a daily basis.

People have long been pissed off with Erdogan's headscarf wearing wife so this is another straw to break the camel's back.

Incredibly encouraging I think. I am very surprised actually at the support and numbers reported. Your dh goes to all the best places lol.

Am waiting for the posting to Mauritius or somesuch......
If he spoke French (like me!!!!) there would be lots of groovy places on the aganda.

When I get huge (currently only 17 & a bit weeks) I'd love a professional-looking black & white photo taken of my bump.
I don't want my knobbly knees or double chin in the shot (unless they can be edited out ), just my bump.

I loved being pregnant and loved my baby bump, especially towards the ed.

Sadly I don't have any photos of me heavily pregnant though, which is a shame really. Trouble is I doubt I would have gotten round to ever having professional shots simply as at that time (a) you just seem to be busy sorting so muh else out and (b) you are spenidng your spare cash on all the things for the new baby.

hi hub!

LOVED my bump. Loved being pregnant. Loved how I looked right up to end.

Would have loved end of preg bump photo.

I love pregnant tummies, and I adored mine. Didn't think of getting any photos done till I was 39 weeks - fortunately I know a photographer so hotfooted it down (rather literally) and got the pictures done just three days before giving birth.

I love the pictures now; I'm so glad I had them done.

I saw a shot on a child photography forum today which I thought was different and striking. Take a look - click portfolio, it's picture number 4 (green polka dots): here - there are many different ways to photograph the bump !

If you're Londonish, eagle, happy to help out later - am just starting out though - but am sure we could get something great. There's another tog on these boards who has done some great maternity shots. Check the small business ads (a while back though).

Hi soph - hope you're behaving and causing trouble lol.

not at all.

arguing that you don't have to be thick to think that god exists...but that's about it.

was even really well behaved on the 4x4 thread.

Green polka dots anyone - lovely shot or lacking emotion ?

that's a lovely photo - green polka dot dress. i love the cot in the background and the way she is holding tummy 0 would have loved an arty shot of the belly. tbh, i think people may do this the second time around, when you have a lot of the stuff sorted and you are not feeling so obsessive about the labour etc. having seen some of these lovely shots, I'd love to be able to do this next time round. hub, you should ask women whose kids are being photographed and show them sample shots.

I have pics of me when pg with both my dc, i think there is nothing more beautiful than a heavily pg woman infact makes me broody when i see pg women!

I did actual like my bump(s), and i think if i knew someone at the time i would have had professional pics done.

H2D i think it is a lovely idea

I hate bumps and think they should all be kept hidden.

DH is mad for 'em though.

I'm generally a bit "ewww". Always keep my bump covered in public but I am quite happy for DH to see me sitting around the house in a pair of old knickers! Nothing he hasn't seen already but I am quite confident about my bod...

Funnily enough DH took a picture of me last night wearing just a pair of lacy short-style undies last night - I am 36 weeks pregnant with baby two. I wanted a "nice" photo of me looking pregnant. All my bits are covered (obviously I've been watching too much "How to look good naked" lol) and I really like it. But it won't be getting shown around!
DH did joke was I going to post it on Mumsnet! Not a chance...

Beautiful! I have a belly cast from ds and will do another one for this one...

I know I had a rather impressive and low bump late on, but I was quite happy with it.

Also Hub, donlt forget that 36+ weeks is generally when the stretchmarks come, so women may be feeling a little more self-conscious as a result of them.

I think bumps look good covered up, I wear quite close fitting clothing and feel good in them, but completely exposed naked bumps look...kind of tacky. There are no pictures of me when I was expecting DS and no-one's taken any of me this time either. Not so much because I don't want any pregnant pictures but because I just hate having my picture taken. I always look worried and frowny.

Just to say thanks for all input - couldn't post last few days. All comments much appreciated.