Creating Space for Iconic Moments to Happen

Especially If You're Not a Maternity Photographer

A few years ago, I was photographing a family for a maternity session.

The dad scooped up his daughter, set her on his lap, and put her socks on.

Shooting with a Fuji and a prime lens, I backed up as much as possible and took a few frames before the moment vanished.

The frame became my favourite from the session and one of my all-time favourite photos.

The important part is that I don’t think of myself as a maternity photographer. Instead, I’m just somebody who photographs family. But I do maternity sessions because of the moments that might arise during them.

We never know when moments are going to happen and, if they happen, whether we’ll be able to capture them properly. But we can create situations where these moments might arise.

I’ve never considered doing a sock-putting-on photo session before. I also never considered a moment like this as an iconic expression of fatherhood - until it happened.

Take the opportunities that come your way - and if they don’t come your way, make them - because you never know what moment will rise when you’re ready.

Mat