Bump Contest photographer tips

Posted Monday, July 14, 2008 1:35 PM

Robyn L. Pollman, Buttons and Bows Photography
Photographed Samantha & Jackson
"My goal with personalized custom portrait sessions is quite different than the corporate ‘cookie cutter’ approach. I want the client to know how important they are from the moment they open their first communication from me, to the session, on through the day they open their perfectly packaged order.

Each session is carefully planned with the family in advance from the choices in lighting (studio or natural), to location (home studio, beach, park, etc.), to props and attire. It allows each family to create the customized look they have envisioned to one day hang on their walls. I prefer to let the parents and baby dictate the flow of an actual session, frequently pausing during maternity sessions to give the moms-to-be a chance to stretch and rest. During newborn and infant sessions, a happy, content baby will photograph as such. This means if the baby needs to take a break for a quick nap or a feeding, the brief delay is well-worth the end result. I want parents to be much more relaxed and enjoy their portrait experience knowing the clock on the wall isn’t ticking the seconds away. Instead of turning a session into a quick forced ‘must do’ with a camera - they become memorable events for a lifetime. Helping a family preserve a smile, a sigh, a yawn, a kiss, or the way their baby looked at a moment in time is honestly the reason I love being a photographer."
http://buttonsandbowsphotography.com/
 

Teri Mason, Teri Mason Photography
Photographed Lyndsay & Teagan
"I love new life. Photographing expectant mothers and their newborn babies is so special. There is such beauty in the love between a mother and her child, whether still in her body or new in the world. The key to a great session is being relaxed - sometimes hard to do when you are a new mommy with no sleep. Trust that your photographer knows what to do to make terrific portraits for you, and go with it. My personal style focuses on the intimate relationship between a mother and her child, and I love to incorporate the rest of the family into a newborn session. This is such a special time in the life of a family, and I am honored to create art from this special moment."
www.masonphoto.net

Karen Lippowiths, Karen Lippowiths Photography
Photographed Delena
"I always tell clients that we'll probably get the best shots in the last five minutes, when the shoot is officially "over" and everyone lets their guard down. When working with babies, the key is to go along with their schedule, including naps, feedings, and changings. Don't try to force it. Babies pick up on your mood and do much better with a "go-with-the-flow" approach. The key to a great photo is the emotional connection. I always tell the parents to "just keep smiling" and looking happy, despite what baby is doing. A baby's smile is fleeting and I have less than a second to capture that great shot. The best time to do a maternity shoot is around the 35th week of pregnancy, far enough along to show off a great baby belly, but not so close that you risk going into labor and missing the shoot. Newborns are best photographed within the first 10 days, when baby can be posed in a safe, stable position and before acne sets in.

The visual key to photography is great lighting and contrast -- I love lots of popping color. Gone are the days of frilly dresses and matching whites. Babies and children can pull off just about anything in terms of clothing -- go fun and funky. Photography is all about controlling light. The best natural light in your home is probably next to your kitchen doorwall or Southward-facing picture window on a cloudy day."
http://karenlippowithsphotography.com/

Kristy Ahumada, Volatile Photography
Photographed Katie C.
"Maternity shoots have better results when they are taken in an environment where the new mommy is comfortable and feels photogenic. Creating one-of-a-kind maternity photos is important to me; being pregnant is such a extraordinary time in a woman's life. For baby photo shoots, I find it's best to rely on real, candid moments between the baby and the parents. Waiting for the perfect shot usually guarantees engaging images, while staging the shots rarely delivers a comparable outcome. For both types of shoots, its also fun to put a creative touch in some of the photos and by using subtle props related to motherhood, love, and new life."
http://volatilephoto.com/

Mandy Karangelen, Amanda K Photography
Photographed Maylene & Namira
“If you’re interesting in showing your “belly” off in the pictures, a great tip would be to wear something loose fitting around your belly before your photo shoot. By doing so, there are no waistband marks left behind. Your outfit should make you feel beautiful and comfortable. Hire a photographer that shares the same vision and or style as you. You should feel comfortable in their presence and discuss what you’re looking for in a portrait."
http://amandakphoto.com/

Robert Evans, Robert Evans Photography
Photographed Jennifer & Amber Claire
"My approach when photographing babies is simple. First, you need to have  patience and wait for the right moment. Brand new babies can't sit up and smile, so I look for more of an intimate moment between mother and child. I also like to create more of a find art portrait of mother and baby, as opposed to a traditional portrait. Maternity portraits capture such a beautiful time in a woman's life. I like to shoot these kinds of pictures in the home -- I feel it has more personality than a studio."
www.robertevans.com

Courtney Jones, Joey Lulu's Photography
Photographed Andrea & Grant
"With an editorial approach, my images capture the simple innocence and wonder of childhood. In a laid-back setting, children are encouraged to move, play, and most importantly, be themselves. My images mark your child's milestones, so I always focus on the personality of my subject. It's always about connection. When I photograph a child, I love to see them being themselves. My suggestion for parents it to let them be. I remember photographing my twin daughters, who at the time were two years old, and being so frustrated because they wouldn't "behave." I look at those images now and they warm my heart. It's where they were at the time -- in their "Terrible Twos!" I wish I had done professional newborn pictures of my girls. My best tip would be to have professional photos taken before they are 12 days old. By two weeks, their sleeping patterns really change and they are starting to lose that newborn curl. I highly recommend getting professional images taken of your child at least once a year. Childhood is fleeting, and really those images are all that we have to remind us of how they once were."
www.joeylulus.com 

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