Q: Maternity photographer?

Posted Tuesday, April 22, 2008 5:46 PM

Q: How should I go about choosing a maternity photographer?

Jennifer Loomis: Most pregnancy photo shoots happen six to eight weeks from your due date, so there's almost no room for error if you don't like the results or the photographer makes a mistake. Scheduling a re-shoot before baby's born can be tough or even impossible. Here are a few tips on choosing the perfect maternity photographer.

Find a specialist
Look for someone with extensive experience or -- even better -- someone who specializes in pregnancy photographer. Experienced shooters will be familiar with the most flattering angles for your pregnant body, and know how to focus on your belly while deemphasizing other (also expanding!) body parts like your hips, arms and legs.

Ask about editing
Make sure the photographer is thoroughly involved in the editing and photo selection process -- this is an important step towards the finished product and represents about half of your cost. The photographer should be able to expertly guide you to the best and most unique photos, and give suggestions for cropping and finishes. Check the photographer's website and portfolio for similar or redundant images (which indicates a lack of creative artistry) to evaluate his or her expertise.

Go for film
Ask whether the photographer uses film or digital. I recommend film, because dark room prints have superior quality to digital. Film prints are also archival, whereas digital prints will likely fade over time. Though film is more expensive than digital, the quality and longevity is worth it.

Check referrals
If you weren't personally referred by someone who already used the photographer and has a positive recommendation, ask for several referrals to contact. These might be posted on the website.

Consider it all
Think about both artistry and personality when selecting your photographer. Finding someone whose work you love and who you love to work with is the key to capturing a beautiful keepsake image.

Jennifer Loomis is a nationally recognized fine-art maternity photographer who has photographed nearly 2,000 pregnant women during her career. Get more info at www.jenniferloomis.com.

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