Maternity Photo FAQ
Your pregnancy is a very important, emotional part of your life. You’re only pregnant with this baby once. If you want to cherish those memories with a maternity photographer here are some FAQ so you can get the best time during your session and images from that session possible.
Where do you start?
Shop around. Look at photographers’ websites. Their gallery should have many examples of maternity. The more different examples of pregnant bellies, the more experience. The more experience a photographer has, the better your session will be. Talk to your potential photog. The vibe you get over the phone (YES TALK ON THE PHONE) is an indication of the vibe you will get in person. Do they know your questions before you ask? Do they have locations at the ready? Are they confident with the price they give you?
What to Wear?
Some photographers provide maternity dresses. If you need to provide your own, you can find the dress you want from $30 up to $200 for a moderately priced dress. Extravagant dresses can go from $300- thousands. My recommendation as a photographer is to get something that hugs the belly. We want it to be painfully obvious that this portrait session is about the belly. When the dress doesn’t hug the belly, you tend to look like you’re in a pretty dress that is loose.
When to photograph?
When should you photograph your maternity session? Two things determine when you should photograph your session: how big your belly is and how mobile you still are. Every pregnancy is different. You might be 6 months and look like you’re having twins. In my experience, the end of 7m- the beginning of 8m is where you show the most and are still comfortable getting around. I do not recommend booking close to 9m. There is always a chance you deliver early.
Telling a Story with Photography
Photography for most is just taking out a cell phone, capturing a cute image, and leaving it on your phone until you get a new phone and never see that image ever again. I’m guessing you’re clicking on my page because you want something more. I can definitely help you with that.
Lets start with the easiest, most beautiful journey you will ever take, CHILDBIRTH. This is my favorite story to tell. I know how beautiful this story is because the next group of photos are of my family. Freezing these moments and mounting them on a wall will take you back to the way you felt when you were taking that journey. Lets do it the right way.
For my corporate followers, you can tell a story too. Professionalism! It’s a simple story to tell, but it is also a very important one. Headshots are your clients’ first impression of you. Professional, uniform, and charismatic makes for a great first impression.
Whether you would like more information or you are ready to book, click on the button below.
Newborns: Behind the Curtain
For those that are expecting or those thinking about photographing newborns, there is a lot that goes on to get “the shot.” Trust me. I get enough of “those shots” to fill an album. I have to. Its part of my newborn package.
I’ll skip what I bring to my shoots since I covered that already but if you’re new CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT I BRING
Invest in photoshop
I’ve invested lots of time into mastering Photoshop so what looks like a dangerous actually isn’t. SAFETY FIRST. The amount of time it takes to stitch these images together and the time to pose the baby.
It is inevitable
Babies go where babies want to go. And yes, the diaper was on (not closed but covering). Consider it a right of passage. If you’re a photographer, this is what christens you as a newborn photographer. If you’re a parent, it means your baby approves of me.
Yes thats a bottle opener on my phone. No judging.
Blessings
I have it in my contract that I am allowed to use the images however I want (marketing & posting). Regardless of this, I make sure it’s ok with the parent if I post to social media. There are some weirdos out there. Out in the world, not parents… well sometimes parents.
Get in There
Parents trust me with their newborns so I can trust them with my camera. I know how to get the look I need in the shot so I set everything, tell the parent where to stand, and what button to press. ” Poof” beautiful shot and safe baby.
A great graduation gift.
If you have a question you can ask in the comment section.
What to look for when hiring a maternity &/or newborn photographer.
Experience
You will be pregnant with this child only once. You might be spending a lot of money on one or both of these sessions. Make sure your photographer can consistently produce what they are showing on their site or social media. An experienced photographer should be answering most of your questions before you even ask them.
Vibe
You should be vibing with your photographer. If you aren’t comfortable with your photographer, there is a good chance that will come through in your photos. Photographers who know what they are doing are comfortable with their sessions and their confidence 9/10 will be passed onto you.
Can They Bundle?
Maternity photographers might not be newborn photographers but newborn photographers are almost always maternity photographers as well. See if they have bundle packaging. My “The Glow” package is a maternity session and newborn session and images from both sessions end up in your album and, at times, the birth announcement cards.
Ps: you should be printing this beautiful journey out. Don’t just post it on your social media, print it out and hang images in your nursery. Make an album and put it on your coffee table for all to see.
2022 Seasonal Schedule
The 2022 Photography Schedule by season.
If you know you want a photo session but are not sure when to book a session, here are the types of sessions to look out for by season:
2021 Seasonal Schedule
The 2021 Photography Schedule by season.
If you know you want a photo session but are not sure when to book a session, here are the types of sessions to look out for by season:
Telling a Story
Photography for most is just taking out a cell phone, capturing a cute image, and leaving it on your phone until you get a new phone and never see that image ever again. I’m guessing you’re clicking on my page because you want something more. I can definitely help you with that.
Lets start with the easiest, most beautiful journey you will ever take, CHILDBIRTH. This is my favorite story to tell. I know how beautiful this story is because the next group of photos are of my family. Freezing these moments and mounting them on a wall will take you back to the way you felt when you were taking that journey. Lets do it the right way.
For my corporate followers, you can tell a story too. Professionalism! It’s a simple story to tell, but it is also a very important one. Headshots are your clients’ first impression of you. Professional, uniform, and charismatic makes for a great first impression.
Whether you would like more information or you are ready to book, click on the button below.
Reasons you need prints in your life (Copy)
Reasons you need prints in your life.
While I love and respect the posting and sharing of my clients’ images after one of my photoshoots, I feel like clients should go the extra mile and get those images printed. It doesn’t even have to be through me. I’m in the process of getting photo release cards so clients don’t run the risk of other places not printing my photography. If you take the time and spend the money on a shoot, some sort of physical product should be purchased as well. If you just take the digital prints and never do anything with them you run the risk of losing the USB and your computer crashing. Yes this is worse case scenario it won’t happen right away. I only archive my clients’ images for a year or so.
Showing off the digital images can be a nuisance also. You need to be near a computer. You need to find the USB if it’s not saved on your computer. Physical products are usually on a coffee table, on your wall, or make your mornings bright when you hold your coffee mug with my images on them. You see these products every day.
You have choices as well. You’re free to take your images to Walmart or Costco. I don’t recommend it. I won’t stop you. I will warn you that the quality and colors will most likely be subpar. The quality of those products won’t compare with manufactures that strictly deal with professional photographers. Screens are calibrated and images are color corrected so you receive the best image possible.
Yes it will cost more. There is nothing wrong with going the less expensive route. Quality will make your images stand out though. Just what ever you do, don’t let your image collect dust hidden in a drawer.
Gift Certificates Available
Give the gift of photography. Memories for life.
Lets get out there!
It is with great pride (and the need to get out of the house) that I am announcing that I AM BACK. Of course there will be a new normal when it comes to our sessions. Outdoor only for a while for obvious reasons. I will have a mask and hand sanitizer. I will also maintain my distance while shooting.
Families: The current portrait theme, as you can see, is the beach. Sessions are 30 minutes and come with 5 digital images. I am also offering prints with my sessions.
Realtors: Headshots on a beautiful day in front of property for sale would be a great look for the summer.
See past blogs.
I'm Having a Baby!
It’s almost that time. With our due date quickly approaching, I will no longer be taking new clients until the end of August. Bree and I are nesting and patiently awaiting the arrival of Baby Markie. Potential clients, thank you for your understanding. Friends and family, thank you for all the gifts and well wishes. Thank you cards are on the way.
Stay tuned for the best newborn session you’ve ever seen.
Newborns: Behind the Curtain
For those that are expecting or those thinking about photographing newborns, there is a lot that goes on to get “the shot.” Trust me. I get enough of “those shots” to fill an album. I have to. Its part of my newborn package.
I’ll skip what I bring to my shoots since I covered that already but if you’re new CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT I BRING
Invest in photoshop
I’ve invested lots of time into mastering Photoshop so what looks like a dangerous actually isn’t. SAFETY FIRST. The amount of time it takes to stitch these images together and the time to pose the baby.
It is inevitable
Babies go where babies want to go. And yes, the diaper was on (not closed but covering). Consider it a right of passage. If you’re a photographer, this is what christens you as a newborn photographer. If you’re a parent, it means your baby approves of me.
Yes thats a bottle opener on my phone. No judging.
Blessings
I have it in my contract that I am allowed to use the images however I want (marketing & posting). Regardless of this, I make sure it’s ok with the parent if I post to social media. There are some weirdos out there. Out in the world, not parents… well sometimes parents.
Get in There
Parents trust me with their newborns so I can trust them with my camera. I know how to get the look I need in the shot so I set everything, tell the parent where to stand, and what button to press. ” Poof” beautiful shot and safe baby.
A great graduation gift.
If you have a question you can ask in the comment section.
Reasons you need prints in your life
Reasons you need prints in your life.
While I love and respect the posting and sharing of my clients’ images after one of my photoshoots, I feel like clients should go the extra mile and get those images printed. It doesn’t even have to be through me. I’m in the process of getting photo release cards so clients don’t run the risk of other places not printing my photography. If you take the time and spend the money on a shoot, some sort of physical product should be purchased as well. If you just take the digital prints and never do anything with them you run the risk of losing the USB and your computer crashing. Yes this is worse case scenario it won’t happen right away. I only archive my clients’ images for a year or so.
Showing off the digital images can be a nuisance also. You need to be near a computer. You need to find the USB if it’s not saved on your computer. Physical products are usually on a coffee table, on your wall, or make your mornings bright when you hold your coffee mug with my images on them. You see these products every day.
You have choices as well. You’re free to take your images to Walmart or Costco. I don’t recommend it. I won’t stop you. I will warn you that the quality and colors will most likely be subpar. The quality of those products won’t compare with manufactures that strictly deal with professional photographers. Screens are calibrated and images are color corrected so you receive the best image possible.
Yes it will cost more. There is nothing wrong with going the less expensive route. Quality will make your images stand out though. Just what ever you do, don’t let your image collect dust hidden in a drawer.
Gift Certificates Available
Give the gift of photography. Memories for life.
The Guess What, The Glow, and The Binkie
Being blessed with a pregnancy could very well be some of the most beautiful months of your life. What better way to cherish your memories than a photo session to mark these beautiful moments.
Lets make the announcement of your bundle of joy something memorable with the GUESS WHAT.
Show everyone your how beautiful your belly bump is with THE GLOW
When the amazing moment comes and you give birth to the most beautiful baby you've ever seen cherish it with THE BINKIE.
A little more clarification: The Guess What includes The Glow and The Binkie. The Glow includes The Binkie.
Know someone who is expecting? $$$. Referral Bonus $$$$ available. Is someone very close to you expecting? Gift Certificates available.
Spring 2016 Maternity / Newborn Shoots
Had a wonderful time these past few days shooting multiple families. First there is Baby Aksel's Newborn Family Photoshoot which was done in the comfort of their own home.
Click on photo to see more from this shoot.
Next there was Pilar's Maternity Family Shoot. This was shot on a beautiful day in the Colonial Park Gardens in Somerset.
Click to see more from this shoot.
Call or click to book a session today. 973.508.2080 gonzalo@grdesignphoto.com