Newborn Photo Trend Alert: Babies Posing In Casts Of Mom's Pregnant Belly

Bump bowl photos are a unique kind of newborn photography

A different type of newborn photography is utilizing an exclusive craft called a bump bowl. The custom piece of art makes the photos even more special to families wanting to see in life what their baby looked like cuddled inside the womb.

The incredible idea came from U.K.-based photographer Jocelyn Conway. The bump bowl is a plaster cast of the mama’s belly made while she’s pregnant that is used when the baby arrives. “I love the idea of the baby being back in its bump for a photo!” she explained to The Huffington Post. “The babies usually love being back in their casts! They seem to settle straight back in to their ‘home’ for the last nine months! It’s lovely to see!”

Conway took a body casting course years ago that led to her now trademarked idea, the “Bump Bowl.” Typically she makes the casts when the expecting mother is 34 to 36 weeks pregnant. “It’s great fun taking the plaster off and revealing the bump impression,” she wrote on her blog. “After that I then work on the finish of the cast, smoothing over the edges and refining the overall shape. I add additional layers of plaster until I’m completely happy with it and then set it to dry.”

She also offers custom upgrades for mom’s who’d prefer a painted and varnished bowl. Conway welcome the creativity the bowl inspires. “The options are literally endless,” she said. “I welcome the opportunity to make your bowl completely unique to you and your family!”

Once the baby has arrived she works with the new parents to create the special images. The shot is made from several photos to ensure that the newborn is physically supported in the bowl at all times. The final images are stunning.

This is a very unique and meaningful alternative to the usual newborn photo shoots we see. Rather than putting your baby in a basket or a bucket, you can put them in the place they knew best for the first nine months of their life. This is definitely more than just a lovely souvenir. It’s amazing to get a little hint of what your baby looked like “on the inside,” on the outside.

“I love doing the bump casts,” Conway said. “It’s such a privilege to be a part of someone’s life at such a special time, and be involved in making memories for the family and for the baby when he or she is older.”