Pretty Gowns from Friday Moon

For my maternity shoot, I wore 2 extraordinarily beautiful gowns. Many people asked about them because they look so flattering on me (a fat lady) and I myself felt beautiful and confident again in them. My dresses are rented from Friday Moon. You have the option to buy them, but it doesn't really make sense for me cos I don't really see myself having much occassions to wear another dress of this sort (next pregnancy if any maybe). 

First of all, I have to say that the details on the dresses are super intricate. There were beadings, sheers and laces. Very feminine <3 They felt a lot like the premium wedding gowns and when I tried it at home, I felt so magical I even twirled for my husband. The dresses were also very comfy and not too difficult to put on. 

Ida (Rental: S$134; Purchase: S$350)

This was my favourite gown of the day. The theme of the shoot was floral fairy and when I wore it, I really felt like a fairy. The gown is a nice shade of lilac and wraps the curves at the right places. It was extremely flattering on me. My son was in love with it and my husband gaze was upon me for pretty long when he saw me in this. It wasn't only my heart that fluttered, this dress might just have given me wings to fly. 

Although the lilac was a baby shade, it did give a nice pop of colour when photographed among the greenery. For ladies with sensitive skin (like me), you will be happy to know that the sheer fabric was very soft and not at all pricky. The gown has to be tightened by a corset, so it can basically fit ladies of all sizes!

Emma (Rental: S$88; Purchase: S$195)

To be honest, I didn't feel confident at all wearing this piece even though the dress was gorgeous. I didn't expect the bottom to not have a inner lining so I was basically wearing nude colours pants underneath. It is partially my own fault I guess because I borrowed my husband pants which I could barely zip up so it was pretty much dangling precariously during the whole shoot. 

Fortunately for me, the photography team was very encouraging and told me they could basically photoshop the pants silhouette away. I am glad I calmed down after because the photos turned out to be beautiful. This gown has a beautiful long train and the husband and I did some some couple shots which turn to be so wedding-like! <3 It did make me want to do another wedding shoot again. 

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FYI, apart from the gowns,  Friday Moon also rents/ sells robes which I didn't feature because this is an outdoor shoot. If you are a bride, you should consider renting a robe for your big day. For my own wedding, I didn't wear a robe before I don on my wedding dress. I never felt it was a problem until I saw the actual wedding day photos. I was in my mismatched PJs and the photos didn't come out as instaworthy. :'(

How to survive an outdoor maternity shoot?

For my maternity shoot this time round, I chose to have it outdoors. Because the last round was taken indoors (see post here on the considerations), I thought I should do something different this time round. Mind you, this time round I also have a toddler in tow. But I also bought a helper along so that made things a lot more manageable. 

For those who are also on the fence about doing an outdoor maternity shoot, GO FOR IT! Sure, it is exhausting. But the effect of natural light and just being in a non-confined space makes everyone more relax and the photos, in my opinion, comes out more natural.

1. Note that the shoot is subject to weather conditions. To be honest, the weather forecast was not in our favour. That week was supposed to be raining for 5 days a week. But I took a bet on it partially because time wasn't on my side and our workplace is around that area and it seems to have avoided the showers. 


2.  And speaking of time, take your maternity shoot early (from 32 week onwards). I took mine in 36 weeks because the Hubs was busy and I felt like I might be popping anytime that week. I was easily exhausted too. This was the first series so you can't really see the exhaustion on my face yet.


3. To help counter the exhaustion, I actually hunted down a place - National Museum of Singapore that has quite a bit of variations in the scenary so that I didn't have to run around too much. Still, the clothes change took quite a while and drained me quite a bit LOL!





Expect lots of sweat. I don't actually wear make-up so I don't have the problem of "melting makeup" but my son was drenched. The photographer was sharing that we should have brought along some powder for him so that he could freshen up. Tip for other Mummies. 


Bring Water. I only brought water for my kid and I regretted cos the Hubs and I were so parched halfway into the shoot. 


Toddlers love the outdoors. If you have a toddler, an outdoor shoot might be better because they have a huge space to run about. They are more natural. We had so many good photos!




Be open to photobombs by your toddlers. Basically, at this age, they can't be directed for the shoots. So we just had to accomodate him. Having said that, the effect was really good and the smiles captured were so genuine. <3


Bring a helper or helping hand if you have a toddler. Not all the shoots will be of the family, so you would need someone to keep an eye of the little one as you do a clothes change or take a shoot with your signficant other. 


Take control of your own shoot. In my last maternity shoot, I conceptualised one of the shoot and I realised that I love that series the most. This time, I actually conceptualised from location, wardrobe, theme for all 3 shoots (Perankan, Flower Fairy and Regal Royal) and I absolutely love the outcome!

Perankan Dress from Ans.ein. Accessories from Goldheart

Should I take a maternity shoot?

Maternity photoshoots are all the rage in our generation and I have to say I was a bit bummed that I might have to give it a miss during the Covid. So, quite honestly, I have been racking my pretty little head on how to go ahead doing it in a safe manner. Thankfully, the lock-down lifted.

As many of you would know, a maternity shoot isn't the cheapest and it is as though you are going through the whole wedding photo ordeal all over again. So let me just share the tips and tricks with you to make your photoshoot more chillax and fuss-free :D

1. Find a photographer you are comfortable with. In fact, I think this might be the most important criterion on top of price etc. Especially if you want to take photos with slight nudity, that might be even more vital. Our photos are taken by dphotofolio. Alvin is very respectful and when I told him I am not ok with nudity. He found me inner wear so that I can take this flying artistic silk look. 

2. Check out their photo styles and let them know if you are ok to be directed. I think the Hubs and I are a lot more experienced in photoshoots after our wedding shoots. Nonetheless, we also ask to be directed because when it come to the bump shoot we don't really know how to showcase it. Alvin from dphotofolio is very friendly and will let you know what to do so that you will definitely bring home a few good shots to bring home. 

3. Studio or Home shoot or outdoors? This one really depends on your living conditions. Some mummies took at home. I think if you have your own house already and it is well decorated, you can definitely opt for this option. Currently, I am living with my in-laws and I don't think we can be that relaxed with curious spectators. Pai-seh max. Even for an indoor shoot, it can be quite tiring already. My Mum thinks when baby 2 is here. We should take an outdoors one instead. :P

4. Should I wear make-up? I didn't cos I wanted a natural, recognisable look. For my wedding, I had so much make-up and fake lashes on that I didn't look like myself at all. Also, since I was fortunately blessed with the pregnancy glow, I thought I should make use of it. So I only powdered myself for the shoot. And I absolutely love how it turned out!

5. Should I prepare any props? Yes, you should. In fact, you should prepare items that are unique to your relationship and motherhood journey. I remembered to bring my themed shoot props and flowers (from One Hour Florist, read my review here!) But, I totally forgot to bring my baby's toys and clothes. Damn the mummy's brain! Hopefully, Baby 2 will have more luck in this department!

6. How many sets of clothes should I prepare? You need to have at least 2! But it depends on how particular you are. I am ok with wearing the studio's robes etc. But if you are a cleanliness freak then please bring your own. I even brought a set of shoes to change (extra max!). For your own clothes, wear something comfortable. I wore my favourite nursing dress - Joole Maternity Nursing Dress in Black from Mothers en Vogue for my themed shoot!

To re-create my look: Joole Maternity Nursing Dress in Black from Mothers en Vogue, Fabiole shades from Xylvester, Clarks Heels with clip-ons, Nerf Guns 

7. Should I conceptualise my own shoot? Yes, you should. I dreamt this out one night (maybe cos baby wanna do this too) and discussed it with Alvin. He was game and viola, we became spies. We had a ball of fun! I have to say I absolutely love how Joole Maternity Nursing Dress in Black from Mothers en Vogue managed to hide my bump making me still look like a sexy agent although Alvin think I should flaunt the bump. (Note: Mothers en Vogue is really too under-rated, if you want nursing/ maternity wear that shows off your curves, please check them out!)

8. Should I get my raw images back? Yes, you should. Even though most of us are no photoshop experts, we should try to get copies of them. Because behind the scenes are hilarious and will bring back lots of beautiful memories. Plus. it is quite fun to do cringy edits like mine!

9. Should I take maternity shots? Honestly, I didn't find the point to take wedding studio shots initially. But then I realise every year I would look through it. Sometimes, I would also scroll through it in my phone. Photos like this are never cheap and may not be a necessity in life, but I see myself always going back again and again to reminisce that moment and that's when I know it is worth every penny...