How to Find the Best Maternity Photographer
Congratulations! You’re having a baby!
This special time in your life is worth savoring for a lifetime. No matter if your pregnancy has been difficult or rewarding, you are a superhero. And, your days of carrying your little one can be remembered forever by finding the best maternity photographer.
Becoming a parent is scary. We all wonder what to do and what not to do. We agonize over what to name them and how we want to raise them.
We wonder who they will become and are excited to hold them for the first time. But, before they make their way into the world, it’s worth documenting how gorgeous you were during your pregnancy.
The right maternity photographer can instantly make your pregnancy seem graceful, powerful, and easy. Even if there were many hard times, your maternity photos are a way to show the world and yourself that you rocked your pregnancy.
Read on to discover how to find the best maternity photographer to capture your pregnancy glow.
Capturing Your Glow: Finding the Best Maternity Photographer
Maternity photos are usually taken during the last trimester between 28 and 32 weeks. The kicker is that this short time span doesn’t allow for mistakes. So, you’ll need to find a maternity photographer who is experienced and understands your vision.
Explore the following tips to find the best maternity photographer to make your vision a reality.
1. Start Your Search Early
You only have a short window of time to get the perfect maternity photo. Find the right photographer early. This will stop you from making a rushed decision with less than desirable results.
Start looking for a photographer within your first trimester. Ask your friends and family for referrals. Conduct a search of local maternity photographers and learn more about their services.
Become familiar with their prices, availability, and packages. Create a list of the photographers you’re interested in. Call them directly to learn more about them and to schedule a consultation.
2. Browse Their Website
A photographer’s website is their brand. If their website is nothing to write home about, then keep searching. Their website should be easy to navigate, creative, and well-designed.
See what services they offer and if they have a unique marketing strategy. Get a feel for how they interact with their clients. To do this, read photo captions and seek out previous client testimonials.
3. Compare Their Style
A photographer may be the best at creating fashion-forward images, but if you want something simple, it’s not a great fit.
Browse the photographer’s online portfolio. Get a feel for their style, creativity, and how they take images.
Is their style conservative? High-fashion? Candid?
Make note of how the people in the photo look as well. Do the maternity photos have great angles? Do the mom-to-be’s look like a million bucks?
Great maternity photographers know how to emphasize a mom-to-be’s pregnancy glow while minimizing areas she may be insecure about.
4. Seek Out Variety
When browsing a photographer’s portfolio, seek out variety. An experienced photographer doesn’t stick to one style. They are able to photograph many different styles.
Even if they have a favorite style, variety demonstrates creativity. And, since you and your pregnancy are unique, you deserve maternity photos will a unique touch.
5. Experience and Technical Skills
Ask the maternity photographer about their photography skills. To start, it’s not a good sign if a photographer has no experience in taking maternity photos.
Does the photographer work full-time? Working full-time is a good indication that they have a lot of experience and top of the line equipment. They’ve taken photos in a variety of settings on a variety of occasions.
Editing is also an essential skill a photographer needs. But, editing should be minimal. Instead, the photographer’s main focus should be on taking engaging and flattering images.
Editing is just an added perk. It is the final touch to a well-photographed image. A photographer should never rely on editing to fix a poor image.
Check out the photographer’s photos to see how heavily they rely on editing. Make special note of the subjects in the image and how they look. If there was no editing or enhancements, would the photo still look great?
6. Soft Skills
Soft skills are interpersonal skills. These skills make a good photographer a great one.
A photographer should show up on time. When they show up, they should be prepared. They shouldn’t be frazzled or confused about the shoot.
They should be responsive, friendly, and professional.
Test a photographer’s soft skills by calling or emailing them. Do they seem interested and engaged? Do they respond to your emails in a timely manner?
You can learn more about a photographer’s soft skills by speaking with previous clients. Check on the photographer’s online reviews to also get a feel for how they conduct business.
7. Go a Step Further
Aim to cultivate a long-term relationship with a photographer. A maternity photographer who is also a newborn photographer is a great asset. By having the same photographer, you can create continuity for your photo albums and framed photos.
A maternity photographer who does family photos is an added bonus.
When scheduling your maternity photoshoot, schedule a newborn photoshoot. Talk with the photographer about the style you want for both photoshoots in advance.
Hiring a Maternity Photographer
Ready to look around for a maternity photographer? With these tips, you’ll be prepared to hire a maternity photographer and get the photos you want.
Always look over the photographer’s contract and payment agreement. Ask the photographer about any guarantees they provide clients. Ask them what would happen in the event that the photos aren’t what you expected.
Interested in hiring an experienced maternity photographer in Miami, FL? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we approach maternity photography.
