18 of the best maternity photographers in the UAE

One thing you won’t regret? Capturing photos of your baby bump. But you definitely might regret not doing it. As awkward or elephantine as you might feel, you are guaranteed to look back on your pregnancy and treasure these images of your body in bloom. But there are many different types of maternity photography to choose from. From highly styled whimsical shots, to candid and intimate lifestyle photos, photographer and teacher at Gulf Photo Plus, Natalie Robinson, takes us through some of the best maternity photographers in the UAE…

ALEKSANDRA MANDIC: Aleksandra is a styled maternity portrait photographer living and working in Dubai who captures your magical final weeks in striking and beautiful detail.

She says: “I offer mothers-to-be a wide choice of elegant wardrobe and help determine the ideal backdrop, lighting and staging to complement each subject with grace and subtlety”.

For more information see: www.aleksandramandic.com; Instagram @aleksandra_mandic_photography; Facebook.com/aleksandramandicphotography.

BARBARA CREPALDI: Barbara has been doing maternity shoots for nearly 8 years and says she loves how the woman’s body transforms during pregnancy. “A lot of insecurities can come from that but through my images I like to show how beautiful my clients are and how special this moment is.”

Barbara also loves to include the full family; the father and any other children as she says she believes everyone is expecting this new baby, not just the mum.

“I love outdoor sessions, but recently find myself leaning towards lifestyle home sessions,” says Barbara. “I find that during a home session the expecting mama and family are usually more comfortable and you can get the feeling of their everyday life and very natural shots.” For more information see: www.barbaracrepaldi.com,Instagram: @fotografadubai.

BECKY CLEMSON: Becky is a lifestyle and portrait photographer, specializing in family, maternity and newborns, who has been working in Dubai as a photographer for 12 years. “I feel it is such a privilege to be able to capture those special moments that people will treasure forever,” she says.

“My style is quite relaxed, I usually shoot a mixture of candid and posed shots, which allows me to get the best out of every shoot,” says Becky. “I always want my photos to capture the natural connections and dynamics in each family, so that they leave with something deeper than just a two-dimensional image on their wall.”

Wherever possible Becky says she likes to keep things as candid as she can. She works with natural light to keep people more relaxed than they might be in front of a giant wall of lights. “I absolutely love shooting on location, and let’s face it, you can’t beat a Dubai sunset! Her favourite places locally to shoot are at the desert or the beach. “We are also blessed with some fantastic parks to get a bit of greenery in shot now and then,” she adds. For more information see www.beckyclemson.com; Instagram @beckyclemsonphoto; Facebook.com/beckyclemsonphotography

CLARE CLARK: Abu Dhabi-based Brit Clare is a lifestyle photographer who says she leans towards a natural style of photography, “but always happy to add some sparkle when needed! My main focus during photoshoots is capturing connections and moments between people, bringing together my two passions – working with people and my love of imagery and beautiful light.” Self-taught, Clare started Clare Clark Photography in 2018.

In Clare’s words, “Sometimes life is blurry but still gorgeous! As your photographer I will be rolling around on the floor/beach/desert or wherever we are to capture moments of play and fun.” As a parent Clare says she wants you to be able to look at a picture of your children and see things that are unique to them. “I want to see how they laugh with their eyes shut and pull faces, to see their small hands and feet and how they move and play and most of all to capture how they connect to each other and their family - it’s real and it's honest”.

“As someone who has worked with people all my life, I feel I can relate to people quickly and understand their emotions, from concern and camera-fear to pure excitement. People are all unique and my aim is to capture this family to family, relationship to relationship.” Clare’s photoshoots include family, maternity, newborn, fresh 48, couples, friends, individual photoshoots celebrating milestones and fitness photoshoots. For more information see: www.clareclarkphotography.com; Instagram @clareclarkphotography1; www.facebook.com/clareclarkphotography.

DINKY HEART PHOTOGRAPHY: Having lived in the UAE for 12 years and with over 10 years’ photography experience in the region, Lianne of dinkyheart photography specialises in maternity, newborn and family photography. “My relaxed approach to photo sessions, with very little posing, immediately puts clients at ease and this is reflected in my simple, authentic, timeless images.”

Lianne shoots mostly on location, in one of her recommended desert, beach or park locations and is happy to guide clients on what would best suit their style and story.

“A maternity session with me celebrates and embraces this life-changing milestone and I feels privileged to be a part of your story.” For more information see www.dinkyheart.com Instagram: @dinkyheartphotography; www.facebook.com/dinkyheartphotography.

EMMA STAPLES: Emma sees herself as part photographer and part story-teller, and says she loves capturing meaningful moments in people’s lives. “Outside of taking the photos, I need to make my families feel comfortable and relaxed, and that way I can capture who they are in that moment.”

Emma says she especially loves shooting outside, using Dubai’s stunning background as an anchor in her shoots.

“My style is a mixture of lifestyle and posed images – a blend crafted to tell my subject’s narrative.” For more information see: www.emmastaplesphotography.com; Instagram: @emmastaplesphotography; www.facebook.com/EmmaStaplesPhotography.

ISABEL POSADAS: Isabel is a natural-light photographer who loves to capture life as it happens.”My style is casual and relaxed, a combination of modern portraiture with lifestyle. I really enjoy shooting outdoors but also feel passionate about shooting in the privacy of a family home.”

Isabel says she is always on the search for beautiful and soft light that will help her deliver some of her signature backlight images.

For more information see www.isabelposadas.com; Instagram: @isabelposadas; www.facebook.com/isabelposadasphotography/

LANA ABU-SHAHEEN: As a birth and family photographer, Lana has experience working with families at all stages of their family life cycle, whether it is pregnant couples waiting patiently to welcome their newborn, or mums working hard to deliver their babies into the world. She says she especially has a soft spot for working with pregnant mums as she believes that this is the beginning of a wonderful story of the family’s brand new chapter in life.

Lana’s style can be described as lifestyle and documentary. She has a strong preference for shooting indoors and at-home, “as this lends to truly unique photographs and really highlights the story-telling aspect of the photographs,” she says.

In making her photographs, Lana says her intention is to bring to light true emotions and connection that is felt within the family, and as such, works with her clients to make truly natural and simple photos that will be cherished for a lifetime. For more information see: Instagram: @lanaphotographs www.facebook.com/lanaphotographs

LIDYA KALICHUK: Lidiya is a family lifestyle photographer with more than 5 years’ experience in photographing family stories in Dubai. Her style is natural and clean, focusing on “finding the simple beauty of life”.

“My pregnancy photography sessions are an enjoyable, calm experience infused with colours, moments and spaces that create a very personal and emotional gallery of photographs to share with pride and display with love,” says Lidiya. “My message to all pregnant women is, ‘You carry a new life and you are so beautiful. I am here to help you to see it, know it and remember it, with all the emotions that rushed through your heart while expecting the birth of your baby - the love, the excitement and even the uncertainty of how your life will change.’”

You don’t need a fancy dress for your maternity shoot, says Lidiya. “All you need is a strong desire to show your unconditional love and make the first gift to your new baby.” For more information see: www.lidiyakalichuk.com; Instagram: @lidiyakalichuk; www.facebook.com/lidiyakalichuk.

MARINA STRACHAN: With over 6 years’ experience in fine-art maternity portraiture, Marina has a signature style of photography and is most recognised for incorporating beautiful sunsets into her beach maternity sessions, for her unique studio sets and for offering an extensive collection of beautiful designer maternity gowns to her clients.

“From offering a fully stocked premier maternity closet, to finding the most beautiful and unique outdoor locations - there is no detail overlooked during a maternity session with Marina Strachan Photography,” she says.

For more information see: www.marinastrachanphotography.com; Instagram: @marinastrachanphotography; www.facebook.com/marinastrachanphotography.

NATALIE ROBINSON: Natalie is a lifestyle and documentary photographer who works with families, children, pregnant couples and newborn babies. Her aim is to create images that have a strong sense of connection, movement, light and life in them. And to capture her clients’ spark; energy; and the magic ingredient that draws people to you.

Natalie refers to her pregnancy shoots as "Our Life Before You". This is a documentary-style pregnancy shoot in your home, capturing your unique life together ahead of the arrival of your baby. Natalie intentionally proposes that an 'Our Life Before You’ shoot takes place in your home, “because this is the place where you are most comfortable; where your normal life happens, where you spend most of your time together,” she says. “Less posing, more candour.”

Natalie says she aims for images that are “strong in movement, connection, authenticity that capture a true representation of the life between you all.” For more information see: www.natalierobinson.me; Instagram: @natalierobinson_lifeincolour; www.facebook.com/natalierobinsonphotographer

PAPERBOATS PHOTOGRAPHY: Divya is a passionate photographer based in Dubai who runs a photography business by the name of Paperboats Photography. “I strongly believes in power of memories,” says Divya. “When family meets and turn album pages filled with beautiful photographs, real magic happens and it bonds families together.”

As a photographer she specializes in maternity, family and child portraiture and her sessions are a mix of posed and candid moments. “For my Maternity sessions I love to showcase pregnant women as strong and glamorous beings! I also like to use nature in its full glory as a backdrop for my sessions.”

For more information see: www.paperboatsphotography.com; Instagram: @paper.boats.photography; www.facebook.com/paperboatsphotography.

PBS PHOTOGRAPHIE: Priscillia of PBS Photographie is a French photographer based in Dubai. One of her specialities is Maternity Photography.

“I love capturing this special experience for expecting parents, either in a studio or in the desert at sunset in the winter months,” says Priscilla.

For more information see www.pbsphotographie.com; Instagram: @pbsphotographie; www.facebook.com/familyphotographydubai.

SAHER FAHAD: Saher is an exclusive newborn, maternity and family photographer who creates gorgeous fine-art pregnancy images. She has an elegant and sophisticated style to her photography and owns a fully equipped studio with a range of boutique-style maternity gowns used in her sessions.

“My images talk about the beauty of a woman while she is pregnant with a life inside of her. The spark of light that a woman has with that tiny human growing with her in her pregnancy journey is just incomparable.” “I believe motherhood is so special and should be documented and celebrated from the beginning. My photographs reflect those memories and help you remember them in years to come.”

Saher says she thinks she has the most rewarding job ever and would feel honoured to document and be part of this amazing journey of your lives with you. For more information see: www.saherfahadphotography.com; Instagram: @saherfahadphotography/; www.facebook.com/kidwaisaher/

SCHEHERAZADE SHAHID: Scheherazade is a family, maternity and newborn photographer based in Dubai and her style of photography is a mixture of posed and un-posed. She guides families gently into natural-looking poses, all the while capturing the interaction between them.

“Whether the photoshoot is at my studio, outdoors, or at your home, when you invest in my sessions, you invest in an experience meant to bring you and your family together to celebrate the new life growing inside of you. You leave the session full of love for the most important people in your life and the beautiful photos you receive are meant to remind you of that love forever.”

She loves creating photos where she says you can feel the love the parents have for their unborn child. “I see that as a miracle!” For more information see: www.scheherazadephotography.com, www.instagram.com/scheherazadephotography, www.facebook.com/scheherazadephotography.

SOPHIA MATTIA: Sophia is a maternity, newborn and family photographer and has been based in Dubai for ten years. “I absolutely love meeting all of my clients and the excitement of expectant parents getting ready to welcome the newest member of the family.” “We are so lucky here in Dubai with the choice of beautiful locations to meet at; the families I work with choose to meet at somewhere meaningful and somewhere that they love; this can be the beach, the desert, the creek or we seek out greener locations.”

Sophia believes that keeping your photoshoot personal to you is so important to tell your own special story. She has a very relaxed and informal style and loves to capture moments rather than forced poses. Sophia loves natural light, colour and emotion with a lot of storytelling.

Her bump to newborn package continues her love of storytelling and allows her to meet her clients again to introduce your newborn baby with sleepy posed photographs or a more relaxed lifestyle session. For more information see: www.instagram.com/smattia_photography; www.facebook.com/sophiamattiaphotography.

YULIIA TERZIIAN: Yuliia is a family photographer who likes to take her clients on wild nature adventures across UAE. “Whether it’s vast dunes of desert, green wadis, mountains or wild beaches, I am always on the lookout for new places to share the beauty.”

Yulia’s style of photography can vary, from documentary to posed but it all falls down under Family Photography genre. She says she is truly inspired by people she meets, their family ties and places she goes to unveil their stories and capture a joy of life.

“If you like to spot Arabian Oryx, gazelles or ride on sandboard during your family photo session, then definitely contact me for such an experience,” she says. For more information see: www.yuliiaterziian.com/; Instagram: @yuliiaterziian; www.facebook.com/yuliiaterziian

ZUZANA STRELCOVA: Zuzana is a family and couples photographer. She considers herself as a natural, unposed photographer and gives a little direction when needed. Zuzana says she strives for emotions in her images. She tries her best to make her clients comfortable and relaxed so they can enjoy the session and take it as fun day out instead of being stressed from doing a photoshoot.

Zuzana’s most popular sessions are beach maternity shoots; but she admits to loving all locations. Maternity at home is special to her as well as she feels it is the most intimate.

For more information see: www.zuzanastrelcova.com; Instagram: @zuzana_ph; www.facebook.com/zsphoto.ae