This was Lola Melani’s second time working with her client, Matilda. The first shoot was a newborn session back in 2016, and, as the New York City-based photographer recalls, “I was just mesmerized by her authentic beauty and gorgeous, glowing skin.” When Matilda called again for a maternity shoot, this time to capture her second pregnancy, Melani instantly began brainstorming ideas and concepts for the session.

“Taking into consideration Matilda’s preference to stay covered, I went and picked up some colorful fabrics,” Melani says. One of the options was the stretchy and bright silk piece seen in this frame. “We wrapped the fabric around her and she stood there looking and feeling like a goddess. It only took me a minute or so to get this shot.” In post, Melani tinted the background—a white seamless—with bluish tones to contrast with the fabric and complete the look.

(Captured using a Canon 5D Mark IV and a Profoto XL umbrella with a diffuser, a 5-foot Profoto Octa and two Profoto D1 monolights.)

Photo © Lola Melani

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