Pregnancy Photographer in Tuscany: Maternity, Newborn and Video

There are only a few weeks when your bump is already noticeable and you can still move about easily. It’s a narrow window, and those who find themselves in it almost always realise it too late: many of the enquiries I receive come in when that moment has already passed.

My name is Giovanni Papini and I offer maternity photography sessions throughout Tuscany, in the studio, on location and at home. Alongside the photographs, I shoot short videos which capture something about the anticipation that still images cannot: your voices, your gestures, the way you look at one another.

I’m based in Serravalle Pistoiese and cover all ten provinces of Tuscany. Each area has its own locations: below you’ll find what I do in each one.

How to organise a maternity photoshoot

• In the studio. Controlled lighting, neutral backgrounds, no unexpected weather. It’s the most relaxing option, and allows you to focus on simple images where it’s just you.
• On location. The countryside, the seaside, parks, historic town centres. These images also tell the story of the place where you are experiencing this time of anticipation, which, looking back years later, will mean more than it seems right now.
• At your home. This is the option I most often recommend to those who are already in the final stages of pregnancy or who don’t feel up to travelling. Your home is where that baby will actually arrive, and it really shows in the photographs.
• With my partner and my brothers. If there are already other children, I include them without pressuring them: we work at their own pace, and the best photos come when they stop being aware that they’re being photographed.
• Newborn, to follow. The newborn care service during the first few days of life, which many book at the same time as their antenatal care to ensure continuity of care before and after the birth.
• Between one and three minutes in length, filmed during the same session: a few words to the unborn child, or a silent sequence of gestures and glances.

Maternity photographer in Florence

In Florence, I work both in the studio and at the outdoor locations the city has to offer just a short distance from the centre: the historic gardens, the hill of Fiesole, and the green spaces along the Arno when there’s no one around. For those who live in the city centre and don’t want to travel, the home service remains the most convenient option, especially in recent months.

Outdoor photo shoots in Florence should be scheduled early in the morning or during the last hour of daylight: these are the times when the streets are quiet and the light becomes soft. On hot days, this is also the only reasonable time for those in the final stages of pregnancy.

Pregnancy videos in Florence

During the session, I film short clips which I then edit into a video lasting one or two minutes: just a few gestures, a few words if you feel like it, and no staging. This is the content that families tend to watch most often, even years later – far more so than printed photographs.

Maternity photographer in Prato

In Prato, home visits are the most common request: the city is compact, journeys are short, and many couples prefer to stay in their own homes. For those who prefer an outdoor setting, the city’s parks and the countryside towards Calvana offer peaceful spots without having to travel for kilometres.

In flats, we almost always work near the windows, making the most of natural light and supplementing it where necessary. You don’t need a lot of space: a room with a decent-sized window is enough for a full service.

Pregnancy videos in Prato

In home sessions, the video turns out particularly well, because you’re more at ease in your own home than in front of a backdrop. I film a few simple moments — the hands, a glance, a phrase — and edit them into a short clip, which I also deliver in portrait format.

Maternity photographer in Pistoia

Pistoia is my local area, and when it comes to a pregnancy photography service, this matters more than in other types of work: I can get to you quickly, reschedule the appointment without any hassle if you’re not feeling well on the day, and organise the session even at short notice. During pregnancy, flexibility is just as important as the end result.

There are plenty of options close by: the nurseries on the plain, the Valdinievole countryside, and the woods of the Pistoia Mountains for those looking for something a bit wilder. The historic centre is best visited in the early hours of the morning.

Pregnancy videos in Pistoia

I film short videos during the same photography session, without extending it significantly. For those who also book a newborn shoot, I edit a single video that brings together the anticipation and the first few days: this is the format that families share the most.

Maternity photographer in Lucca

Lucca has a feature that few other towns can boast: its city walls, a green, flat circuit that can be walked in the shade of the trees. For a woman in the final stages of pregnancy, it is one of the most convenient places in Tuscany, as it does not require walking over difficult terrain or straying far from the car.

Around the city, the villas of Lucca and the countryside leading towards Garfagnana offer even more picturesque outdoor settings for those who fancy a trip out. In the city, home delivery is always available.

Pregnancy videos in Lucca

The video really does justice to the City Walls: the walk beneath the trees, filmed whilst moving, conveys a sense of tranquillity that still photographs simply cannot capture. I edit short clips with ambient sound, without intrusive music, and deliver them in portrait format as well.

Maternity photographer in Massa-Carrara

The Apuan coast offers wide beaches with the Apuan Alps in the background: it is one of the few places in Tuscany where both the sea and the mountains can be captured in a single shot. At sunset, out of season, it is one of the most beautiful locations for a maternity photoshoot.

There’s almost always a breeze along the coast. It’s not a problem — in fact, it’s rather nice for your hair and light fabrics — but you need to bear it in mind when choosing what to wear: long skirts and flowing fabrics work well, whereas stiff garments and structured hairstyles do not.

Pregnancy videos in Massa-Carrara

Filming on the shore at sunset, with the low light and the sound of the sea as the natural soundtrack, produces a result that would have to be created artificially in other locations. I edit together short sequences of you walking, without giving any instructions: the rest just falls into place.

Maternity photographer in Pisa

In Pisa, I alternate between the Lungarni, which are bathed in a very soft, reflected light in the early hours, and the natural surroundings of San Rossore Park, where pine forests and meadows offer sheltered outdoor settings that are easily accessible even in the later stages of pregnancy.

The countryside around Pisa, stretching out towards the hills, offers a quieter and less crowded alternative to the city, with the option of parking close to where you’re taking your photos – something that has made a real difference in recent months.

Pregnancy videos in Pisa

In pine forests, the light filtered through the trees is ideal for filming, as it doesn’t create the harsh contrasts of direct sunlight. I shoot some simple footage and edit it into a clip lasting a couple of minutes, leaving the ambient sound as it is.

Maternity photographer in Livorno

Livorno is the natural choice for anyone who wants the sea as a backdrop: the cliffs along the coast, the beaches out of season, the sunsets over the Tyrrhenian Sea, which here are viewed head-on rather than from the side, as on the other side of the coast. It is the perfect place for anyone who envisages bright, open scenes.

The light reflected off the water softens the faces and fills in the shadows without the need for any additional equipment. The best time is the hour before sunset, which falls at a convenient time in winter and needs to be brought forward in summer.

Pregnancy videos in Livorno

At sunset by the sea, backlit shots produce silhouettes that work very well when set in motion. I edit short clips using the sound of the waves as the background audio, and also deliver them in portrait format for social media.

Maternity photographer in Arezzo

The province of Arezzo offers two distinct landscapes within a short distance of one another: the open countryside of the Valdichiana, with its vast fields and gentle contours, and the woods of the Casentino for those who prefer a more intimate and shaded setting.

In open fields, it is best to work at the end of the day, when the low sun shines across the crops and creates natural backlighting. In the Casentino, on the other hand, you can also take photographs in the middle of the day, as the canopy of trees ensures the light is even.

Pregnancy videos in Arezzo

In the fields of the Valdichiana, shots on the move with wheat or tall grass in the foreground add depth to the footage. I edit short sequences, without a voice-over unless you’d like one, leaving the ambient sound in place.

Maternity photographer in Siena

The Crete Senesi are probably the most recognisable landscape in Tuscany: bare hills, rows of cypress trees, and fields that change colour with the seasons. For an outdoor maternity photoshoot, they’re a choice that needs no explanation.

The seasons completely change the look of the landscape: a rich green in spring, a golden hue between June and July, and dark earth after ploughing. It’s worth choosing the time of year based on how you want your photos to look, if the timing of your pregnancy allows.

Pregnancy videos in Siena

The video really captures the essence of the Crete, because the landscape has a depth that gets lost in photographs. Slow-motion footage of you walking along a ridge conveys a sense of space that individual stills fail to capture.

Maternity photographer in Grosseto

The Maremma is the least tamed part of Tuscany: pine forests stretching right down to the sand, long, deserted beaches out of season, and countryside that doesn’t look like a garden. For those seeking natural, unspoilt scenery, this is the place to go.

The Maremma’s main attraction is its tranquillity: even at the weekend, you can find stretches of coastline and countryside where there’s not a soul in sight, which makes for a more relaxed photo shoot for those who don’t like having their photograph taken amongst crowds.

Pregnancy videos in Grosseto

Amidst the pine forests and the shoreline, you can shoot continuous sequences without interruption, which, when edited, become a fluid narrative rather than a collection of clips. The natural sounds — the wind, the sea, the pines — are enough on their own, without any added music.

When to do it

The best time is roughly between the 28th and 34th weeks. Before then, your bump is often not as noticeable as you’d like; after that, you get tired quickly and it becomes difficult to stand for an hour and a half.

If you’re expecting twins, it’s best to bring the session forward by two or three weeks, as everything happens earlier. And if you’re already past the 34th week, do get in touch anyway: we’ll arrange a shorter session at your home, and you’ll still end up with some lovely photos.

How the session is conducted

Before

We’ll get in touch to decide on the package and venue, and to find out what sort of photos you have in mind: some couples want something simple and understated, whilst others prefer more staged shots. I’ll give you some advice on outfits, and we’ll agree on a timetable that suits how you’re feeling at that time.

During

A session lasts between an hour and an hour and a half, including breaks. I don’t stand there giving orders: I suggest simple scenarios and then let things unfold naturally, because the photos you’ll like best will be the ones where you weren’t posing. If you need to take a break, we’ll stop: there’s no set schedule to stick to.

After

You’ll receive a private, password-protected online gallery containing the full selection. Delivery within seven days, with full-resolution downloads. If you’ve also booked the newborn shoot, both sessions will be styled in the same way so that they complement each other beautifully in a single album.

What to wear

• Soft, flowing fabrics: they follow the body’s shape rather than constricting it, and offer far more in terms of movement than stiff fabrics.
• Solid colours, preferably light or neutral shades. Busy patterns draw attention away from the tummy and onto the dress.
• Bring two or three changes of clothes, including something very simple: a plain, close-fitting top almost always works better than an elaborate dress.
• If your partner is coming along, coordinate your outfits without wearing the same thing: two similar colours will do.
• Avoid wearing clothes with tight elasticated bands in the hours leading up to the session, as they leave marks on the skin that show up in the photographs.

Confidentiality and use of images

Pregnancy photographs are intimate images and remain yours. The gallery is private and password-protected, and is not indexed by search engines.

About this publication: I do not use your images in my portfolio, on social media or on this website without your explicit written consent. If you would prefer that no photographs be published at all, simply let me know: this will not affect the service or the price in any way.

If there are other children: The same rule applies to photographs of them, and the decision ultimately rests with you as parents.

How much does it cost?

The price depends on the package, duration, location and number of final images, as well as how far we have to travel. A session at home in the province of Pistoia and an outdoor shoot at sunset in the Crete Senesi do not involve the same amount of effort.

If you book a pregnancy and newborn shoot together, you’ll get better rates than if you book the two services separately, and it’s also the option that results in the most cohesive album. Please let me know your pregnancy week, location and what sort of photos you have in mind: I’ll send you a written quote, with no obligation, usually by the following day.

Frequently Asked Questions

In which provinces of Tuscany do you work?

All ten: Florence, Prato, Pistoia, Lucca, Massa-Carrara, Pisa, Livorno, Arezzo, Siena and Grosseto. I’m based in Serravalle Pistoiese, so journeys to Pistoia, Prato, Florence and Lucca are short and travel costs do not affect the quote.

Which week is best for the service?

Usually between the 28th and 34th week. Before then, your bump might not be as noticeable as you’d like, and after that, standing for an hour and a half becomes tiring. For twin pregnancies, it’s best to bring the appointment forward by two or three weeks.

Shall we meet at your place or at the studio?

Both, and on location too. I usually recommend the home visit service towards the end of pregnancy: you don’t have to travel, you’re in your own surroundings, and all you need is a room with a decent window.

Can I do the service on my own, without my partner?

Of course, and it’s a common request. Many women want photos of just themselves, and these are often the best in the shoot. If their partner is there, we do some shots together and some without them: we decide on the spot.

Do you also offer a newborn photography service?

Yes. Newborn photo shoots are usually carried out in the first ten to fifteen days of life, when babies sleep most deeply. Many people book this at the same time as their maternity shoot to ensure a consistent style between the two sessions.

Are you filming as well?

Yes, and it’s filmed during the same photo shoot without extending it significantly. These are clips lasting between one and three minutes, with ambient sound, and are also delivered in portrait format. This is the footage that families watch most often over the years.

Will the photographs be published?

Only if you give your written authorisation. The gallery is private and password-protected, and is not indexed by search engines. If you would prefer that no images ever be published anywhere, that’s perfectly fine and it won’t affect the service in any way.

What if I’m not feeling well on the day?

It can be rescheduled without any penalty. During pregnancy, this is the norm and I take it into account: it’s also why I don’t pack my day full of appointments when I have a session like this.