Maternity & newborn photos-what's your opinion?

KJ1177 · December 2014

Hey gals! I've been going back and forth on whether to spend the money to get my maternity photos done professionally or to risk lower quality and just have a friend take a few with a regular camera for free and then get newborn photos done professionally instead? What are ya'll doing for yours, if at all? I want to make sure I have some nice pictures to remember this moment, but I also want to have nice newborn photos once baby is here. I'm curious to hear your opinions and experiences and whether you are planning professional photos for maternity, newborn or both??

TIA!

KJ

071115 · December 2014

I am getting new born photos done, and I am not doing may photos

Unknown · December 2014

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cafecreme · December 2014

I didn't get any maternity photos done when I was pregnant with DD. I do have nice photos of my bump from the shower though. I had her newborn photos professionally done. With this one, I snuck in some photos of my bump from our holiday photo shoot. For newborn this time, since I have a professional camera, I'm going to buy a backdrop/fuzzy fur prop and an attachable light and take my own.

wishiwaspreggo · December 2014

This is the only time I anticipate ever being pregnant (hooray, C, she's NEXT!!!) so I will get maternity photos. We'll do newborn photos, too. Pregnancy is a very finite state and while I've had my complaints, honestly, I have enjoyed the experience overall and want to remember what it was like.

mangomimosa · December 2014

No way to the maternity. We take weekly belly photos & might take some more artsy ones on our own in a month or so... since the pics would be just for our own viewing.

Newborn -- I stress about this. We have the money and we don't. Any extra money we spend in the next 18 mo will sit for about a year on a credit card -- tragic. But...newborn photos are probably worth it, to me. You're only a newborn once and those photos capture the beauty and innocence of that stage perfectly. But it would *absolutely* be something I'd cut out of the budget if our financial situation was not going to change dramatically in 18 mo. I would totally do my own at home instead, as best I could.

Unknown · December 2014

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cafecreme · December 2014

mangomimosa said:

No way to the maternity. We take weekly belly photos & might take some more artsy ones on our own in a month or so... since the pics would be just for our own viewing.

Newborn -- I stress about this. We have the money and we don't. Any extra money we spend in the next 18 mo will sit for about a year on a credit card -- tragic. But...newborn photos are probably worth it, to me. You're only a newborn once and those photos capture the beauty and innocence of that stage perfectly. But it would *absolutely* be something I'd cut out of the budget if our financial situation was not going to change dramatically in 18 mo. I would totally do my own at home instead, as best I could.

I mean, some photographers can be very reasonable. Something like 50-100$. I would try looking into local yardsale facebook pages, and see if anyone does it on the side, or can recommend someone reasonable. For newborn we were charged 60$, and for our holiday family portraits it was only 110$, with rights to every photo.

janda426 · December 2014

We are doing both after looking high and low for a reasonable price. Our mat photos are $250 including rights to print and newborn photography is $150 also including rights to print. Neither photographer is like OMG amazing but they are definitely good and way better than what I could do. H and I get professional mini shoots done every year with a really great photographer when she does her special and I just love having all these magazine quality photos of us all around the house. I think photography is the most lucrative business so I refuse to pay a ridiculous amount for what I'm receiving but it's worth it to me to get them done when the price is right

MalVough · December 2014

I don't plan on doing maternity photos. It just doesn't appeal to me.

I will, however, be doing a newborn shoot. I have a friend from high school who is an amazing photographer (turned her skills into a business).

mangomimosa · December 2014

cafecreme said: mangomimosa said: No way to the maternity. We take weekly belly photos & might take some more artsy ones on our own in a month or so... since the pics would be just for our own viewing.
Newborn -- I stress about this. We have the money and we don't. Any extra money we spend in the next 18 mo will sit for about a year on a credit card -- tragic. But...newborn photos are probably worth it, to me. You're only a newborn once and those photos capture the beauty and innocence of that stage perfectly. But it would *absolutely* be something I'd cut out of the budget if our financial situation was not going to change dramatically in 18 mo. I would totally do my own at home instead, as best I could. I mean, some photographers can be very reasonable. Something like 50-100$. I would try looking into local yardsale facebook pages, and see if anyone does it on the side, or can recommend someone reasonable. For newborn we were charged 60$, and for our holiday family portraits it was only 110$, with rights to every photo.

*********** ugh quote fail

This is a classic example of me stressing over nothing. I have not even looked at the cost because I assumed it was like $300+ & didn't to stress more -- sigh. We will totally do it if it's only a hundred or so. Thanks!

Bostonchelle · December 2014

No maternity photos- it's not my thing.

I plan to do newborn photos in the first week/week and a half with baby and my 2 1/2 year old. They will be far far cuter in the pics than I would be so I figure it's a better thing to spend the money on.

EDWHIP · December 2014

I've never seen a maternity photo that I've liked. Would they be just for you to look at? I think I am in the minority, but it seems like people are doing photo shoots left and right for so many different occasions. I even cringe at some newborn photos. If it's your thing- go for it. If you are tight on money, put it towards a college fund.

cafecreme · December 2014

mangomimosa said:

cafecreme said:

mangomimosa said:

No way to the maternity. We take weekly belly photos & might take some more artsy ones on our own in a month or so... since the pics would be just for our own viewing.

Newborn -- I stress about this. We have the money and we don't. Any extra money we spend in the next 18 mo will sit for about a year on a credit card -- tragic. But...newborn photos are probably worth it, to me. You're only a newborn once and those photos capture the beauty and innocence of that stage perfectly. But it would *absolutely* be something I'd cut out of the budget if our financial situation was not going to change dramatically in 18 mo. I would totally do my own at home instead, as best I could.

I mean, some photographers can be very reasonable. Something like 50-100$. I would try looking into local yardsale facebook pages, and see if anyone does it on the side, or can recommend someone reasonable. For newborn we were charged 60$, and for our holiday family portraits it was only 110$, with rights to every photo.

*********** ugh quote fail

This is a classic example of me stressing over nothing. I have not even looked at the cost because I assumed it was like $300+ & didn't to stress more -- sigh. We will totally do it if it's only a hundred or so. Thanks!

-------------------------

Yea, there are reasonable photographers out there. I know that there's some photographers that you pay through the nose with, but I'm sure you'll find someone within reason. I live in the NE, where everything is always more expensive, and like I said, we were able to find a really good photographer that does it for cheap. She did DD's 1st year/easter photos as well for 90$.

I wanted to add that I think people should stay away from Picture People. We got our holiday photos done there last year, and we paid 300$!!! For a total of 8 photos. Really?!?

gardinet · December 2014

I do photography as a hobby and had a friend snap a few maternity pics two weeks ago since it was nice outside, and with this being my third, I already have a blossoming belly, lol!

I wanted to pay someone else for the newborn shots because 1) they do a much nicer job than me and 2) I'm not sure if I'll be feeling up to crawling around on the floor to get the shots, but alas the good ones cost $300-$350 which I cannot afford. Boo

So, I'm on my own. I did just do a session though, and they turned out nice. And with my own baby, I can do them at our leisure when I know she's in the sleepy zone.

CoozieInMyPurse · December 2014

No to maternity photos. Between the holidays and the baby shower, there will be plenty of pictures of me with a big belly. My sister-in-law is a remarkable portrait photographer, so I hope she will volunteer her time for newborn photos. If not, we will probably do some on our own. I have a minor in photography (although I am not a portrait photographer, by any means) and we have a nice camera and understanding of good light, so we should be able to do something decent.

almeyer2013 · December 2014

I am doing a maternity shoot+newborns at the house. Thankfully a old nurse friend of mine is a photographer on the side, and is going to charge me $450 for maternity, newborn, 3 month, 6 month and 12 month birthday shoot.

janda426 · December 2014

EDWHIP said:
I've never seen a maternity photo that I've liked. Would they be just for you to look at? I think I am in the minority, but it seems like people are doing photo shoots left and right for so many different occasions. I even cringe at some newborn photos. If it's your thing- go for it. If you are tight on money, put it towards a college fund.

I frame my photos and put them around the house. I'm sure they'll go on FB too for my family to stalk. It's the last time it's just my husband and I and I want to remember that. Plus an excuse to get dressed up nice and do my hair and makeup when I'll otherwise be laying around the house in pajamas? Yes please.

There are some newborn shots I don't like and H thinks most are creepy- like when they look like they're propped up on their hands. It doesn't look natural. We are doing some of just him and some with us AND him- it's such a short precious time in his life with the three of us and, again, I want to remember it.

Engineer81 · December 2014

Uh, I do all the pictures. :-) I did maternity last time, one day pics at the hospital, newborn, 3 month, 6 month, 9 month, 12 month, 18 month and 2 years. We are going to do a family shoot next month with the bump. And I will do the same series for March baby. Now, I have a good friend who is a professional photographer and he gives us a hell of a deal.

janda426 · December 2014

Side note we did just buy a DSLR camera and I asked for a 50 mm lens for Christmas to take some nice portrait photos of him on our own, so I doubt we'll do any "3,6,9 month" etc photos cause I wanna learn how to do them on my own. There's great natural light in his nursery I can't wait to play with.

broads · December 2014

I plan on doing both, actually just scheduled mine today. I really don't typically like maternity photos but not sure if we will have anymore children and wanted to capture the moment. We are having the dogs in pictures as well so I don't think it will be as awkward. I felt it was pretty reasonable. 875 total, I bought a package which includes maternity, newborn, 4 months, 9 months and 1 year, all rights to photos.

EDWHIP · December 2014

@janda426

I totally see your point! I cringe when I look at myself in photos, which is my problem. To the OP, I think she should do it if she feels as strongly about it as you do!

janda426 · December 2014

EDWHIP said:
@janda426

I totally see your point! I cringe when I look at myself in photos, which is my problem. To the OP, I think she should do it if she feels as strongly about it as you do!

It makes me sad when people hate photos of themselves!! I really think you should take some when your little one gets here because my mom and grand mom were the same way and it kills me that I have NO photos of me with them as a baby, and now my Grammy has since passed away. Sounds cliche but one day photos will be all we have left. Not even professional photos just any old pic with a point and shoot camera. Try to think that 20 years down the road your kids won't be like "oh god mom looks horrible" (unless of course it's a joke about the style of this time lol) it'll be "oh look at this pic from when I was little!! How awesome!" You know?

Clearly I feel strongly about it haha.

lib1974 · December 2014

I did them and they were awesome. FTM. However a friend photographer did them for free as a baby gift so I spent zero.

lifeisnot2fear · December 2014

We found a reasonably priced photographer and we did a package deal. Maternity, newborn (life style & posed), 6 months, and 12 months with photo rights are included.

kmvisioli · December 2014

I think the problem I have with maternity photos is that they're basically immediately outdated. I would replace any of those prints in my home with pics of the baby or all three of us as soon as baby arrives. I'm satisfied with non-professional pictures just to have the memories.

finallyourturn2 · December 2014

We are not doing a maternity shoot (I will make sure we get plenty of our our pics to remember this time). We are doing newborn photos. I found a girl locally who has a ton of the little crocheted outfits and other props. The package is $189, but we get rights to the pictures and it is a 2-4 hour shoot to allow time for changing clothes, feelings, getting babies to sleep for those type pics, and to calm down fussy babies. I really like her work.

DM718 · December 2014

I have no intentions of booking either. My favorite baby pics (from my childhood) are snapshots most likely taken with a 35 mm camera. Since those were all film, and you didn't know if you got anything good until you picked them up from the developer.

As I write this, I realize what a hypocrite I am - the dog I just lost had 2 professional photo shoots, since I was convinced i couldn't get a good pic of him. Maybe I'll get combined baby / puppy pics done.

sstrom22 · December 2014

Not doing maternity photos - didn't do them last time and don't regret it one bit. Just not me. DH took a few and I hate them... I'm not a fan of being pregnant to begin with, so photos to remember it by just don't appeal to me, let alone spending lots of money on it!

We did do newborn pictures and I was glad we did... you can find moderately priced ones with new photographers, but it is still crazy....

MrsH288 · December 2014

Looking for local photographers with "mini-session" specials and giveaways are a good start too. We did a Christmas mini session for $29 and 5 pictures with option to buy more. I also won a Facebook giveaway for a mini session from another local photographer which we ended up using for our announcement photo.

mem0601 · December 2014

I personally used to photograph in hospital newborn photos and have done maternity shoots professionally. I could photograph my baby myself but I really want to have something that looks different than my own work. Every photographer gets a different effect. As for maternity, it will be awfully uncomfortable being a balloon model in front of a camera, but I decided there are only so many significant life events in a lifetime that warrant being made to look extra nice. They will be just for me, but heck, I'll consider it part of my modeling portfolio ;-)

mem0601 · December 2014

Oh and as a side note, I would have LOVED to see more photos of MY MOM pregnant with me and more newborn photos of ME! So the idea might actually be a good ok on the off chance your grown child may appreciate having something like that. Not a ton of cool stuff was done photography wise in the 80s. Why not take advantage of the digital age and get quality for a good price.

Aeml1985 · December 2014

Having both done professionally,

BabySuleman · December 2014

I'm doing both.

hetispagetti · December 2014

Not a fan of maternity photos! Although I think it's great for someone else like your other half to take a couple of bump photos so see how your bumps grows! Newborn pictures are great! Make sure you pick a great photographer....one that does shots/settings which you like!

Ardmhs83 · December 2014

A friend of mine, who also lives in my neighborhood, is a professional photographer. I'm doing birth, maternity, and newborn/nursing pics with her. She also took pics when my DS opened our envelope to reveal the sex of this baby. She is great and has reasonable prices. I don't plan on doing really long sessions, just a few shots here and there. She only charged me $25 to walk down to our house to take the shots of the reveal. That is worth it all to me.

I'm really excited about her being there for the birth. I had a c/s last time and we totally forgot a camera...mind wasn't really thinking about that. This time we are planning a VBAC and I want someone there for pics this time that won't forget to take them.

EDWHIP · December 2014

janda426 said:

@janda426

I totally see your point! I cringe when I look at myself in photos, which is my problem. To the OP, I think she should do it if she feels as strongly about it as you do!
It makes me sad when people hate photos of themselves!! I really think you should take some when your little one gets here because my mom and grand mom were the same way and it kills me that I have NO photos of me with them as a baby, and now my Grammy has since passed away. Sounds cliche but one day photos will be all we have left. Not even professional photos just any old pic with a point and shoot camera. Try to think that 20 years down the road your kids won't be like "oh god mom looks horrible" (unless of course it's a joke about the style of this time lol) it'll be "oh look at this pic from when I was little!! How awesome!" You know? Clearly I feel strongly about it haha.

I think, for me, it's more about candid photos. I definitely have candids of me holding DD. It's just the posed ones that I can't take seriously. They just seem so fake. I cringed when I got my wedding photos back because the photographer made us gaze lovingly into each others eyes next to a roaring brook. It just isn't us. A friend on fb just posted her maternity photos and it was her on a mountain with a laurel wreath in her hair looking out into the distance. I wanted to barf. She was also wearing a princess bride like dress. It just seemed fake. That's all. Why do hundreds of dollars need to be spent on something that can be taken with a digital camera? So when I see a posed photo of myself looking fake, I cringe because it's just not me.

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