So, you’re pregnant and you know you want to book a maternity session, but you aren’t sure where to look. I totally get it. I’ve been there, too! It can be overwhelming when you are looking at multiple websites or Instagram feeds, if you choose to start there! I remember spending hours looking for the best maternity and photographer, but it’s tough when you aren’t really sure what you are looking for. I hope that these 6 tips to help you choose the best maternity photographer will put you on the path to finding the photographer that is right for you!
1. Start by deciding what style of photography that you’re looking for!
Photography truly is a fine art. Each photographer has their own editing style. For example, I am a light and airy photographer with a lot of neutrals, bright whites and slightly cooler tones. My studio is my favorite place on earth and gives me beautifully organic images soaked in natural light. There are other photographers who are “dark and moody” with deep shadows and rich, warmer tones. Other photographers have a very clean , true to life editing style.
We are all unique in our ways, but I think the most important first step for any mama is decided what you are most drawn to. After all, these images will be on your walls, in your homes, or in your albums forever. Instagram is a great place to see a photographer’s most recent work and get a quick feel for their style! I definitely recommend at least taking a quick peek at their IG feed! Those little squares come in handy for this one!
2. Is the photographer experienced? Do they specialize in a specific genre?
The next thing I would look at when looking for a photographer is their experience, expertise, and professionalism. When you look at their website, can you easily see something that they might specialize in? While it’s easy to say “Oh, her wedding work is stunning, and I love her style,” that may not always transfer over to other genres. There are many photographers out there who photograph multiple genres, but even they will have strengths that lean in specific genres.
For example, I specialize in your baby’s first year. Everything from your maternity session to the cake smash is my strength. I also photograph young families. I have chosen to stick only within that motherhood niche because it’s where I’m confident I can deliver a beautiful gallery. If you asked me to photograph seniors, flat lays, food, or real estate, you might be seriously disappointed because it’s just not my area of expertise! (Let’s be real. If I tried landscape, you guys would laugh! So, while yes, we are all photographers, our skills are *not* the same!) The trainings and workshops that I have attended have all been geared toward pregnancy, motherhood, newborns, babies, and families!
3. Are the “poses” in their portfolio flattering and something you feel comfortable with?
When you want to choose the best maternity photographer, poses are another place to take a closer look! This is another area where photography is an art and we all have our own “styles.” Personally, I look for connection and emotion when I shoot, whether it is a couple with their first pregnancy or their fourth. I always try to capture both tender and playful interactions to give you a final gallery that is diverse and fun to remember.
Maternity is a bit more unique than other sessions because we, as photographers, want to make the new mama look and feel amazing! A newer photographer may not use the same angles or poses that a more experienced photographer would. I think it is a great idea to ask for a full gallery so that you can see exactly what you will get! (Bonus: when you look at the gallery, be sure to look for consistency in editing style throughout the gallery!)
4. Who will supply the wardrobe?
The very best maternity photographers usually have a collection of dresses for new moms to borrow. Maternity dresses can be a large expense, so it makes sense for the photographer to keep a wardrobe for you to borrow and then reuse them. One of my clients favorite things about my sessions is the access to my studio wardrobe. Almost all of my dresses are bump friendly, but I also have a true maternity dresses that are a bit more fitted if you want to show off your new figure!
5. Think Long Term
If you are someone who loves portraits of your family and children, you’ll definitely want to think long term. Eventually, you might have maternity, newborn and family or cake smash pictures on your walls. If those photos will be hanging near each other or in the same room, it’s very like that you’ll want the styles to match or at least be cohesive! For example, if I wanted to create a large gallery wall, I would choose one photographer for all of those sessions so that the gallery gird is cohesive. In that case, it would be best to look for a photographer who also photographs the other things you might be interested in. Memberships or baby plans are great for thinking long term. The best part is they will usually save you money, also!
6. Can they provide contacts for hair and make-up?
First, just let me say that not everyone books a hair and make-up artist. There have been many mamas in front of my lens who are amazing at doing their own make-up. That said, there are some HAMU artists who are fantastic at getting mamas camera ready! Theres is definitely a trick to perfect on-camera make-up. This is another area where your photographer might be able to provide you with a little assistance!
The HAMU artists that work with my client are all very experienced in color matching, blending, and getting “the look” right on camera!
If you are in DFW area and looking for the best maternity photographer, I would love the opportunity to serve you. I am a Dallas Maternity Photographer and specialize in capturing your baby’s first year. You can check out my maternity and newborn portfolio here, tour the studio, or browse Instagram to get a good feel for my light & airy style! Pricing information can be found here, or you can reach out to me through my contact page. Talk to you soon!
