Mother's Day Special| Maternity photographer Amrita Samant on capturing motherhood: 'Not about airbrushing reality'

Maternity photography is more than just documenting a baby bumpmdashits about honoring the emotional and transformative journey of motherhood For Amrita the artist behind Mommy Shots by Amrita each shoot is a celebration of identity strength and presence Through her intentional cinematic approach she has redefined what it means to photograph motherhoodAhead of Mothers Day Amrita Samant talks to Midday about all things maternity photoshootThe heart behind the lensWhat draws me to maternity photography is its quiet powerrdquo Amrita shares ldquoItrsquos not just about the glow or the bellymdashitrsquos about the stillness in her eyes the protective way she rests her hands on her belly the softness in her smile I want women to feel seen and celebratedrdquoInspired by the emotive storytelling of European cinema Amrita crafts frames that feel like memory stillsmdashpersonal gentle and full of life She believes that when a woman feels truly seen she begins to see herself differently and thatrsquos the beauty she aims to captureView this post on InstagramA post shared by Amrita Samant mommyshotsbyamritaA shoot that changed everythingOne session left a lasting impression A mother pregnant with her second child after losing her first during childbirth came to Amrita with one request ldquoThis is not just a photoshoot This is my way of believing againrdquoldquoThat moment changed merdquo Amrita says ldquoI realized I wasnrsquot just capturing beautymdashI was holding space for grief hope and healing That day photography felt less like art and more like honorrdquoA journey not just a sessionEach maternity shoot begins with a deep conversation to understand the mothers emotional space followed by collaborative moodboards wardrobe styling and carefully chosen locationsmdashfrom sundrenched fields to quiet corners of their homesOn shoot day Amrita encourages silence movement and emotion over poses ldquoSome of the most powerful images come when a mother simply closes her eyes and connects with her unborn childrdquo she explainsPostsession every image is handpicked and edited with cinematic softness ldquoItrsquos not about airbrushing reality but enhancing whatrsquos already beautifulrdquoView this post on InstagramA post shared by Amrita Samant mommyshotsbyamritaMaking mothers feel safe and seenAmrita understands that many of her clients are new to professional photography and may feel vulnerable in their changing bodies ldquoMy first goal is to build trust not take a photordquo she saysBy talking listening and gently guiding them through every stepmdashincluding calming breathworkmdashshe helps mothers drop their guard ldquoYou donrsquot have to look a certain waymdashyou just have to feelrdquo she tells themWhen they finally see their images Amrita says ldquoTherersquos always this moment of awe Not just at how they look but at how they feel in the imagerdquoWorking with children Embrace the chaosWhen kids are involved Amrita doesnrsquot direct themmdashshe follows their lead ldquoYou donrsquot prepare kids to pose You prepare yourself to meet them where they arerdquo she saysWhether its playing on the floor or quietly observing she creates a space where children can be themselves ldquoPerfection doesnrsquot mattermdashpresence does Thatrsquos what makes these moments timelessrdquoThe one shot she always waits forTherersquos a moment Amrita always aims to capture when a mother lost in thought places her hands on her belly and closes her eyes ldquoItrsquos like shersquos whispering to her baby without words Thatrsquos the kind of presence I want to freeze in timerdquoAt ldquoMommy Shotsrdquo the mission is simple yet profound to turn motherhood into art and remind every woman of her quiet magnificent poweratOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params