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

Amrita Samant

Maternity photography is more than just documenting a baby bump - it's 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 motherhood.

Ahead of Mother's Day, Amrita Samant talks to Mid-day about all things maternity photoshoot.

The heart behind the lens

"What draws me to maternity photography is its quiet power," Amrita shares. "It's not just about the glow or the belly - it's 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 celebrated."

Inspired by the emotive storytelling of European cinema, Amrita crafts frames that feel like memory stills - personal, gentle, and full of life. She believes that when a woman feels truly seen, she begins to see herself differently, and that's the beauty she aims to capture.

A shoot that changed everything

One session left a lasting impression. A mother, pregnant with her second child after losing her first during childbirth, came to Amrita with one request: "This is not just a photoshoot. This is my way of believing again."

"That moment changed me," Amrita says. "I realized I wasn't just capturing beauty - I was holding space for grief, hope, and healing. That day, photography felt less like art and more like honor."

A journey, not just a session

Each maternity shoot begins with a deep conversation to understand the mother's emotional space, followed by collaborative moodboards, wardrobe styling, and carefully chosen locations - from sun-drenched fields to quiet corners of their homes.

On shoot day, Amrita encourages silence, movement, and emotion over poses. "Some of the most powerful images come when a mother simply closes her eyes and connects with her unborn child," she explains.

Post-session, every image is handpicked and edited with cinematic softness. "It's not about airbrushing reality, but enhancing what's already beautiful."

Making mothers feel safe and seen

Amrita understands that many of her clients are new to professional photography and may feel vulnerable in their changing bodies. "My first goal is to build trust, not take a photo," she says.

By talking, listening, and gently guiding them through every step - including calming breathwork - she helps mothers drop their guard. "You don't have to look a certain way - you just have to feel," she tells them.

When they finally see their images, Amrita says, "There's always this moment of awe. Not just at how they look, but at how they feel in the image."

Working with children: Embrace the chaos

When kids are involved, Amrita doesn't direct them - she follows their lead. "You don't prepare kids to pose. You prepare yourself to meet them where they are," she says.

Whether it's playing on the floor or quietly observing, she creates a space where children can be themselves. "Perfection doesn't matter - presence does. That's what makes these moments timeless."

The one shot she always waits for

There's a moment Amrita always aims to capture: when a mother, lost in thought, places her hands on her belly and closes her eyes. "It's like she's whispering to her baby without words. That's the kind of presence I want to freeze in time."

At "Mommy Shots," the mission is simple yet profound: to turn motherhood into art and remind every woman of her quiet, magnificent power.