New Life, Through a New Lens
Monica Olvera empowers moms-to-be and shows off their newest family members with her Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 lens.
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By Jenn Gidman
Images by Monica Olvera
Monica Olvera has been passionate about photography since she was a teen, but her family didn’t immediately have the resources to support that passion. After studying graphic design with a specialization in photography, Monica’s brother surprised her with her first camera, and she started taking corporate portraits.
It was only after a friend became pregnant that Monica tried her hand at a maternity session and realized she wanted to help moms-to-be leave her studio with captivating pregnancy photos. Newborn photography also soon worked its way into Monica’s mix.
“My goal is to shoot glamorous yet sincere portraits that show both vulnerability and strength,” the Mexico City photographer says. “I want to highlight the creation of life by empowering the women in front of my camera as they go through this new stage, where their bodies are undergoing drastic changes. As for newborns, I try to show their purity and innocence, all with a colorful style that represents my country’s culture.”
On her camera is the Tamron 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD all-in-one zoom designed for Nikon Z mount for her mirrorless camera. “This lens is so sharp and fast-focusing, and the bokeh it allows me to achieve with those wide-open apertures is a beauty,” she says. “The quality of this lens is such that I feel very confident that the vast majority of my images will be sharp, no matter what aperture I use. It allows me to create the photos my moms-to-be deserve.”
MONICA’S QUICK TIPS
Light them up.
For my moms, I’ll take portraits with one, two, or even three lights, so I can get creative in terms of lighting schemes, colors, and the softness or hardness of shadows, depending on how dramatic I want the portrait. With babies, I worked for 10 years with natural light only. Over the last five years, I’ve started using flash with a very large umbrella and a good diffuser that allows me to achieve the same soft result.
Create a comfort zone.
I get to know new clients before our session, during makeup and styling, so I can get a feel for how the mom is experiencing this new stage in her life, and so she can get to know me, too. That helps us form a bond and start to treat her like the goddess she is. I’ll light a candle, put on her favorite music, and let her see the first picture I take that looks amazing, so that I earn her trust for the rest of the session. For couples, I simply encourage them to be themselves and to enjoy this special, unique time in their lives.
35-150mm (74mm), F3.5, 1/200 sec., ISO 125
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Prep for newborns.
I advise my clients to bring the baby freshly bathed, with a feeding to follow. That gives us two or three hours of sleeping baby to work with. It also helps if you have an assistant. Four hands are better than two, not only to position the infants, but also to monitor them for safety and comfort.
35-150mm (36mm), F2.5, 1/200 sec., ISO 320
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Asleep, awake, or both?
Newborns typically sleep most of the time, but I personally love when they’re awake. It’s the perfect moment to take pictures that show the sparkle in their eyes (including catchlights). Babies inspire a lot of “awww” moments at this stage, because their eyes look huge in proportion to their face. For the picture of the baby in the turquoise cap, I emphasized those eyes and her expression, using a monochrome environment that didn’t compete with her.
35-150mm (50mm), F2.2, 1/200 sec., ISO 250
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Add subtle props.
That could be a blanket, stuffed animal, or any other meaningful item. Adding textures to the photo with a blanket, swaddling cloth, or other fabric lend a visual richness, though take care to avoid shiny or synthetic textiles; choose delicate, soft items instead. As for stuffed animals or dolls, make sure they’re on the smaller side in proportion to the baby. You don’t want the stuffie to compete visually with your model.
35-150mm (35mm), F2, 1/200 sec., ISO 160
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Incorporate a theme or backstory.
In the photo here of the parents holding their newborn, I wanted to showcase their pride for their success in finally having a baby. They tried for years to have a child and finally were granted this blessing.
35-150mm (38mm), F4, 1/200 sec., ISO 320
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Meanwhile, the mom-to-be wearing the spikey tiara symbolizes the strength, power, and courage of a mother who can do anything, including creating new life. And the black-and-white photo of the mom dangling in that DIY hammock brings to mind imagery of the stork delivering babies. It also reminds us that a mother’s womb never ceases to be beautiful.
35-150mm (56mm), F3.5, 1/200 sec., ISO 500
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35-150mm (35mm), F5, 1/200 sec., ISO 500
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To see more of Monica Olvera’s work, check out her website and Instagram.
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