I'm going to another consignment sale tomorrow night and they're giving out a free belly shot for first time moms-to-be then free follow up sessions with your new baby. I HOPE it's as good as it sounds because I'd love to get a deal on these, especially since they're not cheap.
If it doesn't work out, I have a picture in mind of how I'd like them to look but I'm not sure exactly how to go about finding the photographer. I started by asking for a few referrals from friends on Facebook and Twitter. Then I checked out Craigslist to see who had some deals, and finally just Googled some.
I know I like the studio look better, or at least black and white backgrounds. I don't like the outside ones as much just because I feel like they look more like modeling shoots and I'm not going for the "model" look as much as the "casual mom" look, haha.
If I do decide to do some outside I'd like them done maybe something like this:
If I do decide to do some outside I'd like them done maybe something like this:
(Photos by Bloom Austin Photography)
Or like this in a field:
I like blue jeans... Not a dress. And a plain white or black shirt that buttons. I'd like to unbutton the bottom so you can see my tummy, but I don't like the holding my bare boobies action that much. Don't get me wrong, those pictures look beautiful when done right, but I don't think that's my style. This is basically EXACTLY what I'd like to wear:
(Photos by Carrie Biggar Photography)
(Photo by Pinkle Toes Photography)
(Photo by Christie Stockstill Photography)
I like blue jeans... Not a dress. And a plain white or black shirt that buttons. I'd like to unbutton the bottom so you can see my tummy, but I don't like the holding my bare boobies action that much. Don't get me wrong, those pictures look beautiful when done right, but I don't think that's my style. This is basically EXACTLY what I'd like to wear:
(Photos by Carrie Biggar Photography)
(Photo by Pinkle Toes Photography)
(Photo by Christie Stockstill Photography)
I like this one but with jeans on.
I also would like my husband to be in a few, but not all of them... Not even most of them. Maybe like three, haha.
I'm sprinkling some samples I like from local photographers I've found in my area so far. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this look... I like how the woman is sorta blended in with the background but the belly sticks out. I wouldn't necessarily want them ALL like this, but I'd like a few! Being vain again... I like my hair down long and I'd like to show it off in photos so maybe white backgrounds would look nice too. 
(Photo by Christi Long Photography)
(Photo by Christie Stockstill Photography)
(Photo by Damon Leo Photography)
(Photos by Bloom Austin Photography)
(Photo by Barbara Legere Photography)
(Photo by Christi Long Photography)
(Photo by Christie Stockstill Photography)
(Photo by Damon Leo Photography)
I LOVE these on-location photos!
(Photos by Bloom Austin Photography)
(Photo by Barbara Legere Photography)
I am not sure about costs or what my budget is exactly. I'm hoping I can find a good deal and pay no more than $300 for the sitting fee and for a CD of the digital files giving me the rights. Think that's very realistic? I would LOVE to find a photographer that's working on their portfolio and would give me a ROCKIN' deal. My husband isn't too excited about forking out the dough for this, he says he'll use my camera and take the photos but I know how that will go...
He gets all fussy and whiny after taking a few shots for me around the house. He took my 26 week photo and it's blurry!! So yea, that option is out of the picture. But I also can't fork over $1000 for the digital prints... YIKES!
The frustrating thing when I search around for styles I like is I can't find a lot of African-American examples. It would be nice to see examples of how my skin tone and my husbands would look on black and white backdrops. I wrote to the photographer behind EP Photography because I really liked her site, and funny enough... The music she had playing on it.
I'm also debating when to have them done. I'm 26 weeks now, and I am worried if I plan them around 35 weeks she'll come then (crossing my fingers she doesn't). I've heard 7-8 months is a good idea. What do you think? Maybe around 32 weeks? I'll be exactly 8 months. I don't want to be too big to where I don't feel pretty either... Ok, I'm stopping with the vainness now ;)
The frustrating thing when I search around for styles I like is I can't find a lot of African-American examples. It would be nice to see examples of how my skin tone and my husbands would look on black and white backdrops. I wrote to the photographer behind EP Photography because I really liked her site, and funny enough... The music she had playing on it.
I'm also debating when to have them done. I'm 26 weeks now, and I am worried if I plan them around 35 weeks she'll come then (crossing my fingers she doesn't). I've heard 7-8 months is a good idea. What do you think? Maybe around 32 weeks? I'll be exactly 8 months. I don't want to be too big to where I don't feel pretty either... Ok, I'm stopping with the vainness now ;)
I really love maternity shoots...whatever you do show the belly...it's a beautiful thing!
ReplyDeleteI'm not even pregnant yet, but have thought about this a lot. I found this guy:
ReplyDeletehttp://pacingthepanicroom.blogspot.com/search/label/the%20belly%20pictures%20series
...whose series I LOVE. It's kind of fun to see the weekly progression from front and side (kind of like you're doing).
Good luck finding someone!
I am getting maternity photos done too! We found a girl who is working on their portfolio as you say and is doing our for $80. sitting fee and disk included!! I am so excited! I am worried about the baby coming as well, but I think we are going to get ours done at around 32 weeks which is very soon since I am 28 weeks now! Love the pics you picked, I also picked ones similar to that style and can't wait to get them done! Good luck finding a photographer!!
ReplyDeleteComing from a photographer point of view... =) Around 6-7 months is good if you think she will come early...
ReplyDeleteYour glowing.. you feel good....your pictures will hopefully capture that for you.... and dont forget newborn pics... you will want those within like the 1st two weeks after birth... whomever you have do your maternity should be able to hook you up there too.. =)
Good luck and most of all .. enjoy!!
Whoever you decided to do your pictures all I know it that they will look fabulous! I'm so excited to see them when you finally get them done.
ReplyDeleteIf ya wanna make a weekend trip to Houston...I have about FOUR wonderful photographers that are extremely well priced. Just a thought....
ReplyDeleteI love the one of the woman sitting in bed and enjoying the moment! I am so excited for you, I can't wait for my turn! Please pray for me!
ReplyDeleteMaybe it will be my turn??? lol
ReplyDeleteok so I love belly shots. just what ever you do, don't do it fully naked!lol jokes I am glad you are enjoying being pregnant, too many people don't! I luff you Jen!
Thirty-two weeks is perfect. You're probably at your biggest, but aren't the most miserable. The big belly will make for the best pics.
ReplyDeleteI would do around 7 1/2-8 weeks.
ReplyDeleteIf wait too long you're just going to FEEL fat and huge like I did and you won't feel like sitting uncomfortably for a picture :)
Good luck finding a good one.. I'm on the hunt for one too and I can't believe how expensive some of them are!!!
I had mine done at 32 weeks (http://www.bethfletcherphotography.com/2009/05/mothers-love/), and I'm so glad I had them done then. I do wish I'd had another set done a little later, but otherwise, I adore them.
ReplyDeleteOk I love your posts you are i think around close to like 5-6 weeks or so ahead of me. But yet your posts match my thoughts often. And I have wanted to do the maternity shots too but because I started out with extra padding I have been very hesitant of taking them. However I got a few good ideas especially the lake ones. My husband and I were married at a small lake near our home where we went on our 3rd date, the place I say i feel in love with him. And our baby shower is going to be there. It is the perfect place to take some cute tummy shots!! I say be picky and these are a once in a life time for your first baby. Have fun with what ever you decide. Cause you need to be happy with them. I want to take mine sooner rather than later because my bump is already big, lol.
ReplyDeleteAll of those photos are great and are such good ideas! Looking at maternity pictures makes me wish I was pregnant again! I am such a big fan of your blog, I hope you visit this link, there is a little something for you!
ReplyDeletehttp://theonlypinkinthehouse.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-blog-is-beautiful.html
Here are a couple African-American maternity and baby photos - http://newimagestudio.com/family_baby_child_couple_photographers_nc/babies/rotate/22.jpg
ReplyDeletehttp://newimagestudio.com/family_baby_child_couple_photographers_nc/babies/rotate/14.jpg
I love some of the photos on here:
ReplyDeletehttp://offbeatmama.com/tagged/maternity-photography
I like the pics where they put the tiniest booties on the belly. This can be done with a silver rattle or teeting ring and look really elegant. I like the above pic where her jeans are unbuttoned LOL
ReplyDeleteI just read on today's feature SITS blog you are having a girl. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteHave you looked at photography students at community colleges? We had baby pics taken by a student and they were fantastic and super-cheap - free in fact because she was building her portfolio.
LisaDay
Good luck! We skipped the professional pictures because we couldn't find any affordable photographers, even my best friend's dad!
ReplyDeleteSo I just did my own at home. LOL
I do love seeing them though, and I am planning on starting to do my own for women with my jazzy new camera.
My friend is a photographer so she'll be doing mine, she suggest around 8 months - you'll have the nursery pretty much done for those "on location" shots you're talking about so you can pull from there with props!
ReplyDeleteI love maternity and newborn shots!!! beautiful. You are also a really cute little pregnant woman! lol I worry I'm going to get fat and gross and not want them. But you definitely need them!
ReplyDeleteanother cool photo: you in the foreground, but your shadow in the background (neat silhouette!)
ReplyDeleteI took the cheap way out, too. My 11-year-old son took a nice photo of me with a tank top and yoga pants hold my hands over my belly-button in the shape of a heart. I took to CVS and printed it in black and white. It actually came out nice!
ReplyDeleteI took mine at 35 weeks! I wanted to be big enough that I had a real nice baby bump to show off.... but didn't want to wait too long, to the point where I got all big and swollen and gross. So that was the perfect time for me. :-) http://www.prissymommy.com/photos/maternity_portraits/index.html
ReplyDeleteI actually did my own too on self timer against a white wall and totally naked. I printed them in black and white and I love them!! I did my hair and make-up really nice and covered by boobs and crossed my leg. I'm so proud of them and I did them at 40wks - she was still 2wks late!!
ReplyDeleteHey, I'm not sure what area of Texas you are in (I just subscribed), but my friend Mistie is a photographer and is building her portfolio. I'm pretty sure she'd give you an awesome deal! Her portfolio is at http://mistieb.studentartfolio.com if you want to see a bit of her work :) We are out towards the Grapevine/Lewisville area of DFW.
ReplyDeleteIf you drop her an email (address is on her portfolio), tell her Heather sent you her way :D
Lisa Woods with Now & Then Photography did all my maternity and our newborn photos. Bloom is awesome too! Ausitn has the best photographers so you really can't go wrong with whoever you choose!
ReplyDelete