Ah, maternity photos — those artful shots that memorialize the amazing time in your life when you're expecting.
S 'Lucy Sky' Diamond-Jones / Via Flickr: 40544385@N04
Most of these shots are impressive in their own way, but there's a new maternity photo trend that has us like:
1. We're talking about underwater maternity photos.
Rekha Garton / Via rekhagarton.com
2. I mean, take a look at these amazing shots from Lory Coat Photographe.
Lory Coat Photographe / Via lorycoat.com
3. They're...
Lory Coat Photographe / Via lorycoat.com
4. ...absolutely...
Lory Coat Photographe / Via lorycoat.com
5. ...positively...
Lory Coat Photographe / Via lorycoat.com
6. ...stunning.
Lory Coat Photographe / Via lorycoat.com
You can follow Lory on Instagram.
7. Then there are these gorgeous captures by Naal Wedding Photography, which show that each photographer has their own style underwater.
Naal Wedding Photography / Via naalweddingphotography.com
8. While Coat's photos are bright and tropical, Naal's look as if they exist in a watery kingdom far below the surface.
Naal Wedding Photography / Via naalweddingphotography.com
9. Wow.
Naal Wedding Photography / Via naalweddingphotography.com
10. Just wow.
Naal Wedding Photography / Via naalweddingphotography.com
11. I mean, she looks like an actual mermaid, doesn't she?
Naal Wedding Photography / Via naalweddingphotography.com
You can follow Naal Wedding Photography on Instagram.
12. Maternity shots filmed in a swimming pool can be equally unforgettable, as these by Flashpool Productions prove.
Sarah Teveldal / Via flashpoolproductions.com
13. They can be elegant...
Sarah Teveldal / Via flashpoolproductions.com
14. Majestic...
Sarah Teveldal / Via flashpoolproductions.com
15. Mysterious...
Sarah Teveldal / Via flashpoolproductions.com
16. Or just plain gorgeous.
Sarah Teveldal / Via flashpoolproductions.com
You can follow Flashpool Productions on Instagram.
17. So how exactly do they get these amazing shots? To find out, BuzzFeed spoke to Monica Silver, the award-winning photographer of this alluring shot (and the five below it).
Monica Silver / Via monicasilverphotography.com
18. First, these shots don't just happen — they take a lot of planning. Silver says, "Before filming, I always meet with my clients in person for a design consultation to discuss the look we are going for, colors, poses, etc."
Monica Silver / Via monicasilverphotography.com
19. Then, once they get in the water, things move at a measured pace. "Underwater portraiture is unlike any other in that everything moves much more slowly. Sometimes it can take four or five descents to get one pose right."
Monica Silver / Via monicasilverphotography.com
20. Silver adds, "Although posing for the session can be hard work, my clients always tell me how great it feels to be in the water while pregnant. It’s nice to have a break from the heavy feeling of pregnancy."
Monica Silver / Via monicasilverphotography.com
21. Oh, and in case you're wondering, both Silver and her subjects hold their breath underwater.
Monica Silver / Via monicasilverphotography.com
Silver also has an assistant in the water for safety. "Their job is to keep eyes on the client at all times."
22. "Anyone can do it," Silver says. "I’ve photographed women who are comfortable in the water and women who aren't. I’ve done a session in as little as 4 feet of water as that was where the client was comfortable."
Monica Silver / Via monicasilverphotography.com
You can follow Monica on Instagram.
23. OK! Now that we've learned a little bit about how these are made, let's look at some more stunners, like these by Ashley Kahhat.
Ashley Kahhat / Via ashleykahhat.com
24. Just...
Ashley Kahhat / Via ashleykahhat.com
25. ...beautiful.
Ashley Kahhat / Via ashleykahhat.com
You can follow Ashley on Instagram.
26. Then there's this unforgettable shot featuring a chair and mirror (!) by Val Dostalek.
Val Dostalek / Via valdostalek.com
You can follow Val on Instagram.
27. And lastly, there are these gorgeous captures by Rekha Garton of this glowing mama-to-be.
Rekha Garton / Via rekhagarton.com
28. Breathtaking, don't you think?
Rekha Garton / Via rekhagarton.com
You can follow Rekha on Instagram.
