Photographer Lauren Garceau: Photography Services in Fashion Photography, Maternity Photography, Portrait Photography, Boudoir Photography. Serving Maui, The Hawaiian Islands, and beyond

Tips to Taking Amazing Pregnancy Photos

Lauren — Wed, 02 May 2012 09:50:23 +0000

As my maternity clients start to increase, I gain more experience and understanding on how to capture pregnancy photos in the most beautiful and flattering way. I have had allot of experience photographing women, especially models and women, however photographing pregnant women requires some different considerations. Firstly I recommend to schedule the maternity photo shoot date between the 7th and 8th month of pregnancy, the reason being is that the belly is at an obvious stage of looking pregnant, and the shape of the belly is defined. But if you wait until the say the 9th month, you may feel too tired and large to feel good and look your best in the photos. Secondly, I recommend you get a good rest the night before for the shoot. Taking photos can be hard work, and the more rested you are, the better you will look in the photos. I always do my best to light my subjects beautifully and capture your best angels, but it’s still important that you feels good since that will show through in the photos. The more rested you feel, the more radiant you will look. Do things the week prior and day prior that nurture your soul. Take a bath the night before with some candles, or get a facial and pedicure, and maybe even a trim and new hair style. Just tune into what really creates a feeling of health and beauty for yourself and do those things leading up to the shoot. Clothing is also a great way to really enhance ones emotional state. Choose clothing that makes you feel sexy and beautiful. I love to capture alluring pregnancy photos, just because you are pregnant, doesn’t mean you aren’t sexy. In fact I think pregnant women are especially beautiful. Showing the belly is very sexy, so bring tops that show it off! I also love long skirts, scarfs, bathing suits, sarongs, and accessories. I prefer to use mostly solid colors to prints, as they are more timeless and don’t distract from you. Nature is my favorite location to photograph maternity portraits, I also find that it’s typically relaxing in nature and is a conducive environment for women to feel relaxed and natural. Think about some of the type of photos you’d like to get and please bring your creative ideas, I love to collaborate. Also bring your partner, it’s a miracle that you created this new life together, and I love to capture the love between a couple during this sweet time. Lastly, drink lots of water as always, and bring your smile:)

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“What is Yoga” A Yoga Photographers Perspective

Lauren — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 23:09:15 +0000

One of the reasons I chose yoga portraits as niche for my photography on Maui is because it is a big part of my life. I have many friends and clients who also apply the philosophies and practice yoga as an intention for their lives. However for those who may not know what yoga is, Id like to share my perspective and understanding of yoga. The word “Yoga” means union in the ancient Indian language called Sanskrit. Yoga is the practice of awareness through joining the mind, body and spirit. Hatha Yoga is the foundation of all “Asana Yoga” systems, the practice of postures with mindfulness to the breath. Each posture has a name from the Sanskrit language, these postures are called “Asanas”. They also have a western version of the name that can also be used for reference. There are many styles of Hatha Yoga, some of the more popular ones for example are Ashtanga, Anusara, Vinyasa, Iyengar, and Kundalini, but there are many more then just these few. Many of these newly founded Asana practices of yoga have evolved from the modern western world weaving the origins of Hatha Yoga together to create a uniquely developed system. This is the form of yoga most people are familiar with when they think of yoga, but there are other types of yoga that go beyond the yoga we practice on our mats. For example “Seva Yoga” is selfless service where one dedicates part of their lives to be in service as a way to give back to the collective family. Then there is Bhakti Yoga, the spiritual practice of devotion for that which we love. As the student broadens their discipline to a consistent practice of yoga, they begin to embody the principles, this is when a student becomes a yogi(or yogini for ladies). Yoga is a mentality and lifestyle that can be applied as a practice of awareness to everything in ones life.

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“Exotic Locations on Maui” Maternity Photos at Iao Valley

Lauren — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:40:42 +0000

My favorite place on Maui to soak up the sun and bath in the cleaning fresh waters is Iao Valley (pronounced ee-ow). Within the valley lies beautiful lush mountains giving birth to dozens of waterfalls that surround the tall peaks of the valley. These mountains are said to get more rainfall then even Kauai, making it one of the wettest places on earth. But that being said, I have never experienced much rain there, most of the rain forms in the clouds high up on the mountain peaks of this old volcano. One of my favorite things to do in the valley is hike along the streams and find a nice spot for a afternoon picnic. Near the park entrance there are the cultural gardens where I photographed these maternity photos. If you ever find yourself on Maui, I highly recommend visiting Iao valley. Give yourself some time to really explore the area as it offers some fantastic hikes with epic views.

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“Weathered and Laced” Yoga Portraits On Maui

Lauren — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 08:59:01 +0000

Living on Maui offers me many amazing locations and backdrops for my photography, but most of the locations are in natural settings. Having moved here from previously living in some of the greatest cities in the world, I had to shift from urban backdrops to jungle and sea backdrops. I love the natural settings but I was missing the raw textures and contrast that the urban settings offer me for fashion and glamour shoots.However I knew with the right shoot I could capture the beauty of the industrial side of Maui. The location we captured these shots at was at an old military bunker in Kahulie. The model in these is a certified yoga teacher on Maui, you can find her yoga teaching schedule on her website at: http://www.yogasupernova.com.

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Cascading Aerial Performers- Waterfall Photos on Maui

Lauren — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 07:51:40 +0000

This was an amazing photo shoot I captured at a near by waterfall on the north shore of Maui. It’s a remote location that you need to hike into, but it’s well worth the trek. We brought along a expert climber who rigged up the silks that the performers used. One of these ladies used to be one of the performers for Cirque Polynesia, and asked me to capture these special and rare images that they would use for their promotional material. I feel truly inspired by all the amazing artsits and talented subjects that I continually meet and get to photograph. If you ever find your self on Maui and want to experience an awesome show, check out Cirque Polynesia.

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