How to Choose the Best Maternity Photographer for your Session in 2024
In this blog I’ll be sharing a few tips so you know how to choose the best photographer for your maternity photoshoot. As a professional maternity photographer myself, I first have to say: Experience is No#1!
In addition to experience, you’ll might want to make sure that the photographer you choose has professional photography equipment, lighting, positive reviews and an active social media presence.
Look at the photographer’s portfolio
Look for a strong portfolio- a photographer who has shot many maternity photoshoots will be able to guide you through the session and know exactly how to light, pose and angle your body and beautiful baby bump for the most flattering and beautiful shots.
Looking at their work is the best way to get an idea of their style and image quality. Make sure to look at a variety of images, not just at their 10 best shots. A strong portfolio should have at least 50-100 images that you can view to get a good idea of what to expect from the photographer. If they have little or no past work with maternity photography, it might be hard to know what outcome to expect from the shoot.
But how to know if the portfolio is good?
Here are a few things to look for:
Consistency
The portfolio should showcase a consistent style and aesthetic throughout the images. This means that the editing, lighting, and posing should all have a cohesive look and feel.
Consistency is a sign of a professional who has a clear vision and has perfected their craft. Pay attention to their lighting, and composition. If the images look consistent and pleasing to your eye, it’s a good indication that they will be able to deliver beautiful, high-quality images for your maternity photo session. Additionally, a consistent style will help you envision how your own photographs will turn out and will give you an idea of what to expect.
Overall appearance
Professional quality images are visually pleasing, well-exposed, meaning that they have the right amount of light and shadow, with beautiful color or tones (for black and white photography).
One of the first things to look for is the white balance. White balance is the process of adjusting colors in an image to accurately represent the colors. A professional photograph will have a correct white balance, meaning that the colors in the image will look natural and true to life.
This is important because if the white balance is off, the image can appear unnatural.
Also, unless the image is shot blurry for artistic purposes, you generally want to look for images that are in focus or that have a focus point, meaning that the person being photographed should be sharp and clear.
Lighting & composition
Images should be well-exposed and have a good dynamic range, meaning that the photographs should have a good balance between the highlights and shadows.
Unless the noise is added or the image is dark on purpose, grainy or poorly lit images can appear unappealing and unprofessional.
A good maternity photographer should have a solid understanding of lighting and composition, and should be able to use these elements to create stunning, dynamic images.
For example, they may use natural light for a specific look or studio lights to have complete control over the lighting in the scene. They may also use composition techniques such as leading lines or the rule of thirds to add visual interest and depth to the images.
With proper lighting and composition, the maternity photographer will create images that are not only beautiful, but also tell a story and evoke emotion.
Creativity
Pick someone who not only has technical skills but also a creative eye that help guide you and come up with unique poses and lighting!
You can tell if a photographer is creative by looking at the posing, wardrobe choices, set design or location choices in their photographs, if they’re using different angles and lighting to create drama, or editing techniques to enhance the mood or story of the image. See 34 creative maternity photo shoot ideas.
At Oxana Alex Photography, one of the popular ideas we may suggest is incorporating a beautiful floral arrangement into the shoot to create a stunning naturally textured backdrop for the images. Also, we include designer jewelry and maternity dresses and gowns with your maternity session at no extra charge.
By thinking outside of the box and approaching the shoot with creativity, a skilled maternity photographer can truly elevate the final images, making them stand out.
Emotion
What emotions do the images evoke?
The best maternity photographers are able to capture the joy, beauty, and wonder of pregnancy through their images. They’re able to tell a story that goes beyond just the physical aspect of the mother-to-be.
For example, a photograph of the mom to be looking down at her baby bump, capturing the loving gaze between her and her unborn child, or a photograph that captures the excitement of a first-time mom as she feels her baby kicking.
These are the kind of images that will always bring back memories from that special moment.
Variety
Having a diverse range of images, from different poses, lighting, and composition, means the photographer has the ability to adapt to different styles.
It’s also great to see a variety of subjects in a portfolio- This shows that the photographer has experience working with different types of pregnant women and can cater to different cultures, skin tones or body types to capture their unique beauty.
A portfolio that showcases a variety of images gives you a good idea of what to expect and what the photographer is capable of, making it easier for you to decide if they are the right fit for your maternity shoot.
Are you looking for a specific style?
When it comes to maternity photography, there are many different styles! Some people might prefer a more classic look, with elegant poses and timeless wardrobe choices. Others might be drawn to a more modern and contemporary style, with bold and creative poses and unique wardrobe. And some might want to do a boudoir maternity photo shoot, which is a more intimate and sensual style of photography.
This one is personal preference! No matter if you choose to do a black and white boudoir shoot or colorful studio shoot or maybe want shots during golden hour at the beach? Just make sure the photographer you book is experienced with the style of photographs you want to achieve.
Location
Choosing the right location for your shoot will be of huge impact on the look and feel of your final images. This being said, if you want to do a studio maternity photoshoot, it’s best to choose a photographer that has a studio with all amenities there and that can accommodate your needs.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more documentary-style shoot in the comfort of your own home, make sure that the photographer is willing and able to come to your location.
Another thing to consider is the travel distance. If the studio or the photographer is located far from your home, it’s a good idea to book a hotel and/or flight at the same time as scheduling your shoot. This way, you can make sure that everything is set and you can relax and focus on getting ready for your special day without having to worry about last-minute travel arrangements.
Pricing
Look for a maternity photographer that is transparent about pricing costs and what is being offered. If not specified, always ask them what their turnaround time is and how the images will be delivered.
You can see our session pricing here.
Reviews
One of the best ways to know what to expect and get a sense of the quality of a photographers work and customer service is to read reviews and testimonials from other mom’s to be that came before you!
You can often find reviews on the photographer’s website, Yelp page or on social media.
I am thrilled to have received such amazing reviews from my past clients! As a maternity photographer, it brings me so much joy to know that I have been able to capture such special moments for expecting mothers and their families. I take great pride in my work and am constantly striving to exceed expectations.
Reading the testimonials from happy mom-to-be’s puts a smile on my face and is such a validation of the hard work and dedication I put into every session. It’s truly an honor to be able to play a small part in such a big moment in my clients lives and I am grateful for the opportunity to do so. If you are looking for a maternity photographer and considering me, please take a look at my reviews, they are a true testament to the quality of my work and the level of service I provide.
Availability & Communication
Make sure photographer is available on the date and time that you want to schedule your maternity photo session. The best time for a maternity photo shoot is typically between 24 to 36 weeks.
It’s important to book the right photographer early on, while they still have availability. The best maternity photographers book up quickly, so if you make the wrong choice and your photoshoot doesn’t go as planned, you may not have as many options to book another session.
Additionally, it’s important to communicate with your photographer before the session to ensure that you’re both on the same page and that they understand your vision for the images. Are you bringing your other family members? Maybe your older kids?
A good way to start this conversation is by sharing inspiration images with the photographer and discussing your preferences for the shoot, such as location, poses, wardrobe, and any specific ideas that you have in mind.
At Oxana Alex Photography, we are normally booked 3 months in advance so make sure to schedule your shoot as early as you can! The earlier you book, the more likely you are to secure your preferred date and time.
Look for a photographer who’s passionate about their work!
Lastly, look for someone who truly loves what they do.
A passionate photographer will be dedicated to their craft and go above and beyond to create beautiful images to capture the essence of your pregnancy. They will take the time to get to know you, understand your vision and preferences, and work tirelessly to create images that reflect your unique personality and story.
They will also be excited to collaborate with you and explore new ideas and concepts to make your maternity photos truly special.
At Oxana Alex Photography we are excited to meet you! If you are in Los Angeles or surrounding areas, out studio is located at: 2100 Sawtelle Blvd UNIT 307, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA
Conclusion
In conclusion, with a little bit of research, you’ll find a photographer who not only has the technical skills to produce stunning images, but also the creativity and passion to capture the emotion and beauty of your pregnancy glow.
Whether their specialty is boudoir photos, black and white photos, studio photography, or outdoor photography, it’s important to look at a photographer’s portfolio to see their style, and also their lighting and composition skills.
Check their availability, communicate with them to ensure they understand your vision, and read reviews to get a sense of what to expect from the pregnancy photoshoot experience.
Finally, take your time and do you research! At the end of the day, you want to make sure that you choose a photographer who you feel comfortable with, who has a good reputation, and who will capture the special moments of your pregnancy in a beautiful way that you will treasure forever.
How to schedule a session with Oxana Alex Photography?
You can schedule your session by emailing [email protected] or by texting our photography studio at (310) 854-9695.
