12 best tips for a location maternity photoshoot in gauteng

Choosing a place for your location maternity photoshoot in gauteng can be tricky , but these aresome questions that can help you make your decision and at least narrow down your options

what you should ask for to choose a place for a location photoshoot in gauteng

 

1. What time of year will your photoshoot be? With maternity it does depend on when you are showing enough , but you also do not want to be too uncomfortable for your photoshoot, so you will generally narrow this down to 6-7 months pregnant. You need to ask yourself what the season will be at that time to understand what type of location will work best for your maternity photoshoot. The time of day will also be affected as its best to do the shoot around sunset.
2. Is there a lot of walking involved? This is an important question to ask if you are pregnant as you may not want to walk too far, especially over uneven terrain. Some photoshoot venues can be a little out of the way , and although rustic charm may be what you are after, practicality does usually take over when you are pregnant.
3. What will your maternity outfit be? This can also help narrow down places for your location maternity photoshoot in gauteng. Depending on your outfit you might prefer a backdrop with more drama , or if you are planning on wearing heels or a long maternity dress you may want to limit your walking even more.
4. Do you have a backup plan? Depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy you may not get a second chance to have your photoshoot . Hopefully you are not thatfar along and if the weather turns bad or there needs to be a postponement this is still possible, but its always good to have a back up in case you cannot do this, such as in studio or an indoor location.
5. Are there ablution facilities at the location? One thing you have to do often when pregnant unfortunately is go to the toilet. So its best to have a location that preferably has the facilities for this if it becomes necessary. If not at least a garage nearby or you need to make sure your bladderis good and empty before the photoshoot. Its also good to have a place to change outfits if you are wanting to have more than one outfit in your photoshoot.

Now that you know what you need to ask yourself beforehand, here are some of the places we think are great for a location maternity photoshoot in Gauteng.

East Rand venues for a location maternity photoshoot in Gauteng

 

1. Kenmuir Road in Benoni where Lindo and Nkuleleko had their photoshoot is a great free location for a maternity photoshoot in Gauteng on the east rand. It is fairly private with wide open fields and at different times of the year can have long veld grass, cosmos, or pink pompoms. This is very seasonal though so it is important to check this with the photographer first if you have a preference.
2. Photo Factory Venue in Boksburg is a fantastic venue for a location maternity photoshoot in Gauteng and has so much to offer. from beautiful green weeping willows and lush gardens and ponds to the white wall outdoor studio or indoor boudoir studio complete with a bath that is great for a milk bath maternity photoshoot, you are spoilt for choice, and will also have a backup if the weather turns against you. One thing you do need to keep in mind though is that during the winter the willow trees do lose their leaves so if you want a green background in winter this may not be the case.
3. Summer Place in Boksburg is another great location for a maternity photoshoot – you will need to book and pay a fee, but it is worth it as it has a lot to offer from green lawns, lots of foliage and pathways and fountains and arches which all make great for great maternity photo backdrop

places in Johannesburg for location maternity photos

 

1. The old railway station in Johannesburg is one of my favorite places to photograph, and I think will be great for a location maternity photoshoot in Gauteng. The old metal look will offset the drama you can get with long maternity dresses and skirts, so if you are looking to make a statement with your maternity photos then this is the venue for you. You do need to make a booking and there is a fee to pay, but it is secure behind locked gates and there is not a lot of walking involved, and it is easily accessible.
2. Newtown and Maboneng precincts are not secure, but they are free to use and have many different backdrops to choose from in this arty part of downtown Johannesburg. Miriam Makeba Square with the museum and rainbow-coloured stairs also offers a great colorful celebration, and the museum is iconic, As well as the Nelson Mandela Bridge. You do need to bear in mind the traffic and try to go on a quieter day and time, as parking can be difficult to find, and taking photos on the bridge might require standing in the traffic and moving quickly if necessary!
3. Bryanston Pine Forest is an all-time favorite any time of year, and is suitable for any type of photoshoot – it is extremely popular with photographers though, so it is better to go on a weekday if you can. It is a free location to use and there is parking on site. You do need to walk a little on dirt pathways, but it is not very rough. Unfortunately, there are no ablutions on location.

Places in Pretoria for a location Maternity photoshoot

1. Irene Dairy Farm is an awesome location for any photoshoot and is a working dairy farm with cows. if you are lucky enough you may also be able to get some photos with them in the background. It does require a fee to be donated – you can read more on the link above.
2. Klapperkop Nature Reserve has great views over the city of Pretoria and is free to enter, but there is a boom that closes at certain times, which you do need to be aware of. There are great sunsets from here and from one side you can get beautiful rolling hills, and the other city views. The long winding road and rustic rocky nature reserve also contain some animals such as zebra if you are lucky. An example is the wedding couple photos from Candy and Emile’s wedding.

Muldersdrift locations for a maternity photoshoot

1. Toadbury Hall will require booking in advance for a photoshoot but is a beautiful location, particularly in autumn for a maternity photoshoot. It has a country manner old school type of charm that is timeless and classic.
2. Makiti wedding venue has rolling lawns and archways that are also great for any type of photoshoot. The venue will also allow you to have a photoshoot here with permission on specific days if there is no wedding on the day ( so normally weekdays).

Hi, I am Romaen, a Maternity photographer from South Africa, now residing in Utrecht, the Netherlands. I have over ten years of experience with location maternity photoshoots. These are some of my favorite locations to photograph in, and in my experience are really great for maternity photos as well. I hope you find the information useful in preparing for your location maternity photoshoot in Gauteng.