Work hiatus ?

Burberry0421

I'm a photographer, and I'm trying to transition to focus more on birth photography than anything else. It's my favorite! I have had some inquiries for April (due end of May), but I'm wondering if even considering April deliveries is wise. My dr said the goal is to get me to 34 weeks which is May 7th. Do I have any business sitting in a hospital for 6+ hours waiting for a mama to pop while I am 7 months pregnant with twins? What should my cut off be?

MrsP419

I do photography on the side (more families, babies, children), and I personally am making my cutoff six months.  Maybe I will do a mini session or a quick one for a friend here or there, but I am not going to advertise or push business after I reach six months.  I personally don't think I could handle doing a birth shoot at 7 months, not only because it seems taxing, but also because I am not sure I would want to be on call when I could be feeling really uncomfortable/tired.  But that is me :-)

Burberry0421

@MrsP419 My photography group on FB is telling me to cut off at 6 months. I think that's wise. So many MOMs end up on bedrest at the end. It would be a pain in the ass to try & contract out that work & then edit it later. I want to be smart, but I want to keep adding to the finances.

pillowass

I would not make any work-related plans past 28 weeks or so. Even if you have no complications, you will likely be feeling awful by that point (I know I was!) and small physical tasks will seem overwhelming.

somewhereincali

Also given the nature of your work I would tend towards being conservative because you risk disappointing a client who is looking for someone to be there for sure and wouldn't be able to make other last minute plans.
If I were you I would find another photographer who will agree to cover for you incase you need any last minute cancelations after say 24 weeks.

CaliCarly77

Can you take some last minute work or play it by ear? I'm 34 weeks on Thursday and am still working full time and have had no issues whatsoever. But you never know. It would be nice for you to have the option to keep working, I know for me it has helped time pass and I like the paycheck!

tootsscott

Hubby and I are photographers too and our last job was October 28th and I'm not due til January 5th, I don't know how many weeks that put me at but even then I didn't do the best job I could because I could t maneuver myself the way I wanted to. Not to mention having a big fat camera hanging around your neck, banging into your belly and hurting your back even more.