She knew she was a Mama who couldn’t swim. She is actually a little fearful of swimming pools. But she sought out Underwater Maternity Photos anyway.

And she knew that an Underwater Maternity Portrait Session was how she wanted her pregnancy captured….

What if I can’t swim?

So even though this warrior Mama can’t swim, she showed up and took amazing Underwater Photos with me in my Home Pool Studio. She was brave, and determined, and willing to try all the things I coached her through… and in the end this Mama who Can’t Swim took Amazing Underwater Maternity Photos.

African American Underwater Maternity photos with twinkling bokeh dots in Flowing Pink Chiffon
Can a Mama that Can’t Swim take beautiful Underwater Maternity Photos? She absolutely can in my pool!

That’s My Job!

You see, as a Professional Underwater Photographer, it is my job to coach every client before and during our sessions to help them get comfortable in the water. To teach them how to pose in the few seconds they are underneath the surface.

We do many poses throughout a session that allow my clients to keep their feet firmly planted when creating Styled Underwater Portraits. Often clients are even able their heads above the water for portions of the session.

I love watching clients relax as they figure out that my pool is so very safe. That my lifeguard or safety assistant is close by on deck while my water assistant is in the water with us. These two are critical members of my team!

One last October Session

This was my last outdoor session of the season. And while I have so many more photos to share with you from this summer, I just couldn’t wait to share this gorgeous warrior Mama’s session with you now!

Underwater Maternity Portraits with non swimmer using Golden Yellow Chiffon in a deep blue pool
Y’all know how I feel about a client that chooses yellow…. Be still my color loving heart!

You see, this beautiful Mama came to me very early in her pregnancy, but very late in my season. So late in fact, that I actually tried to cancel our session out of fear it would be too cold for her. She kindly asked me to reconsider and I am so happy that I did!

Preparing for a Princess

Tanaysia knew she would be having a girl, and wanted to choose feminine colors and textures for her session. She picked a pink gown from my Studio Closet and wore a floral crown with her hair down and flowing.

Underwater Maternity Black Goddess in Flowing Pink Chiffon
Mama loved the soft flowy fabrics I keep in the Studio Closet. The combination of this pink Maternity Gown with this Pink Chiffon Fabric let her almost get lost among the pinks and blues. I just love how fabric has a mind of its own in the water…

Then we decided to try using a piece of bold Yellow Chiffon. I absolutely adore using yellow in the pool, especially for my darker skinned clients. It just POPS in the water. And this fabric did not disappoint!

Beautiful Blessings

The morning started out quite cold. I actually put on a sweatshirt to set up the pool early that morning. But we were blessed with a beautiful day. I heated the pool of course, and once the sun came out the day, and our light, were just lovely!

But the real blessing in doing her session when we did? Her sweet precious baby was born just one week later. She is breathing on her own, gaining weight, and thriving. I absolutely can’t wait to meet Baby Z at Levine Children’s Hospital next week!

Thank you

Thank you for trusting me with your Underwater Maternity Photos. To be able to create amazing portraits like these for a client who has a love of Underwater Art and Portraiture, but who is timid about being in the water themselves?

Black Mama who Can’t Swim took Amazing Underwater Maternity Photos in Flowing Pink Chiffon

Well. It is certainly one of my “Whys” as an artist.

Warrior Mama and Baby Z

Say a little prayer for our Warrior Mama and her Sweet Baby Z. What an incredibly strong generation of women…

RENEE STENGEL Photography | Charlotte Underwater and Portrait Photographer |

7 on 7 Blog Circle

And since it is the 7th – you know what that means! Time to take minute and browse through some awesome images from my photographer friends around the globe. I love our Blog Circle every month ~ so many fun stories and photos to enjoy every single time!

I love how I can count on this group for some Travel Photos – it seems that every month at least one friend has a major adventure to share! And this month it is my friend Kristina with a fun trip to Florida. I love how she has been embracing her Empty Nest and taking on so many fun adventures!

Underwater Maternity Black Goddess in Flowing Pink Chiffon
It was absolutely thrilling to be able to show this portrait to Tanaysia at our Gallery Premiere Appointment last week. I had given her a little peek of this shot from behind the camera while we were still in the water and it almost made her cry. She just couldn’t image that was her! To be able to create a beautiful portrait like this for a client who has a love of Underwater Art and Portraiture, but who is timid about being in the water themselves? Well. It is certainly one of my “Whys” as an artist.

Y’all know how I feel about a client that chooses yellow…

Black Mama who Can’t Swim took Amazing Underwater Maternity Photos using Golden Yellow Chiffon in a deep blue pool
As a Professional Underwater Photographer, it is my job to coach every client before and during our sessions to help them get comfortable in the water. To teach them how to pose in the few seconds they are underneath the surface.
Underwater Maternity Black Goddess in Flowing Pink Chiffon
When creating Styled Underwater Portraits, we do many poses throughout a session that allow my clients to keep their feet firmly planted – and often even keep their heads above the water!

share:

  1. Cristy Cross says:

    Girl. These are absolutely stunning. I LOVE the yellow dress. Wow. It pops so beautifully.

    • Renee Stengel says:

      Thank you my friend!! I ADORE yellow in the water!! But would you believe that isn’t even a dress? It is just a 3 yard piece of chiffon! I am absolutely loving working with fabric in the water!! I have about 15 pieces now ranging from 3 to 6 yards each, and they are incredible!!

  2. Kris says:

    Gorgeous as always! You obviously made this mama feel very comfortable in the water.

  3. Kristina says:

    Your photos always blow me away. You are so talented. I’m sure this gorgeous mama will treasure these photos forever.