How to Shoot Milk Bath Photography
Milk bath photography is not a new concept, but it can add something unique to most photographers’ portfolios in genres ranging from maternity to newborn, portraits, and even boudoir images. This complete guide will teach you what you need to get started and how you can incorporate milk bath photos into your work.
A milk bath gives a blank canvas that photographers can use creatively. The translucent — or completely white — water adds an ethereal and soft feel to the photos, appealing to photography clients looking for flattering and sensual images.
Milk bath photography is trendy for maternity, newborn, and baby photos, but photographers can also use it for creative portraits, boudoir, and bridal shoots. For example, expecting mothers have a chance to showcase their bump in a safe and controlled environment.
Meanwhile, photographers have the opportunity to add something special with every shoot with the help of props and interesting compositions that frame the subject and their features, like hands, face, bump, hair, and back, against the milky white water.
Family photographer Lisa Victoria from Lisa Victoria Photography has been doing maternity milk bath photoshoots for over eight years. She first came across the concept on Pinterest, and one of her booked clients asked if she would be willing to do a milk bath shoot with her.
“As a specialist maternity photographer, having this element attracts clients I might not have normally got,” Victoria tells PetaPixel regarding the benefits of adding milk baths to her repertoire. “I also find that they find my work on Pinterest and then book me for their photoshoot.”
Pick Your Shoot Location
Photographers have several options for picking a shoot location. It could be the clients’ bathroom, an appropriately equipped photo studio, a hotel room, or a place rented through companies like Airbnb.
The client’s bathroom will provide a familiar environment which can be helpful. Victoria notes most of her clients use their bathrooms because they are already accustomed to getting in and out of their bath. Nonetheless, she always assists them in getting in and out, especially if there is no bath mat.
Some clients may prefer hiring a studio, a hotel room, or an Airbnb. While doing so may be the only option for those who don’t have a bath at home, photographers should always check that the bath in those locations will be suitable for a photo session.
On their websites, some hotels only show what a typical room will look like and may not have a bath as shown online, so it’s worth double-checking before booking it for a shoot.
But, photographers don’t necessarily need access to a bathroom that is spacious or has a free-standing bath. You can do intimate milk bath shots in most bathrooms, and you don’t need to worry about including wider photos of the bathroom unless the room size and interior permit it or the client requests it. Read More...
