Maternity photoshoot in saree

The drape does the shaping. A gown fits the body; a saree is tied to it, which means it can be arranged on the day to follow the bump exactly. Pleated below the curve, the pallu drawn over one shoulder, the fabric does the work a gown's seams usually do. In the photographs here the bump reads as the centre of the picture without anything tight around it.

Which sarees photograph best. Net and tissue sarees with embroidery or crystal work catch the studio light and give the frames their shimmer. Plain silks in one strong colour photograph cleanly against our grey and white backdrops. Heavy brocade can overwhelm the bump in a photograph, so if you bring one we will pair it with a simple blouse and a plain backdrop. Bring two or three and we will choose together.

Blouse and bare bump. Several frames here are shot with the saree pleated low and the bump uncovered between blouse and pleats. It is a quiet, confident look and it suits sarees better than any other outfit in the studio. It is entirely your choice; the same saree worn fully draped is on this page too.

Draping on the day. Arrive with the saree draped and pinned, and bring extra safety pins; the drape is adjusted on the day as the poses change. Hair and make-up should be done before you arrive, as with every session.

With your husband and family. A saree session is often the one where parents join, especially when a mother has come home to her own family for the last weeks before the birth. It is also the session where the fabric gets flown: a chiffon or net pallu, lifted and let go by your husband or your mother while Anega shoots. A kurta in cream or white sits well beside almost any saree. Each additional adult or child can be added to a dress.

Where it sits in your session. A saree is one dress, like any outfit, and it pairs naturally with a gown as the second. Most mothers shoot the saree first, while the drape is fresh and the pleats are crisp.