Why I'm not a Fan of the Classic Bump Pictures

Why I’m not a Fan of the Classic Bump Pictures

By Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP® on January 22, 2016

I know you’ve seen them on instagram and pinterest. You know – the bump pictures. The women who are strategically standing in front of a full length mirror or having someone take a nicely posed image of their bump. They usually have their hands wrapped around their growing belly to showcase their little one inside.

But… you will not see that baby bump image from me.

I am just no a fan of classic baby bump pictures. Or any bump pictures.

I just don’t want to see an image of myself. I know it stems from me being self-conscious about my body, which came way before my pregnancy. For the longest time I didn’t feel pregnant and I knew I didn’t look it. Now, with every kick and rib cage jab, I know that I am very much pregnant with an active little boy. However, I still don’t like looking it. J can’t understand. He tries to be supportive. Telling me I’m pretty and that it’s okay I look pregnant – because I should look pregnant!

This is my time to shine and all I want to do is hide it under flowy tunics and cardigans.

I’m not sure why I’m so self-aware, but I am. This is part of the reason why I have zero. zip. natta. baby bump pictures. I’ve even decided against having a maternity photoshoot. I just don’t want it. I will never display the pictures and am much more likely to save the money for a newborn shoot instead. To me, choosing between a maternity session or newborn session of our son is a no-brainer. I would choose the newborn photos every single time.

I remember seeing this article where the dad takes the maternity pictures in place of his wife. Why? Because his wife simply didn’t want to. I remember thinking to myself this is genius and funny and amazing! I would be that woman. I would be the wife that just didn’t want to get in front of a camera and I applauded her for it. I still do. Here I am sitting, pregnant belly and all and I still feel the same way about maternity pictures as I did before I even was married and thinking about a family.

Sure, it would be nice to have comparison shots for our (potential) second child. That way I can see how different I carried our first born to our second (and probably last) born. In reality, though, I don’t think I care enough to take the bump shot.

You may be thinking to yourself – geez this woman must have gained a ton of weight so far. And no, that’s not the case. Yes, I was a bit heavy before the pregnancy, but nothing too crazy and I wasn’t ashamed. No, I have not gained much weight at all. The doctor says everything looks good and the baby is normal, so I’ll go with what he says on my weight. I know I have about 4 months to go, but I’m feeling good (except right now because he has made himself at home digging in my ribs again – thank you baby boy!).

What do you think about maternity shoots or the classic baby bump pictures? Are you a fan or not?