How to Choose the right Bay Area Maternity Photographer
The time before your baby arrives is special and fleeting. Choosing a good Bay Area maternity photographer is vital to capturing the transformative experience of pregnancy.
There are several things to consider when choosing a Bay Area maternity photographer to help preserve these precious moments.
What is Your Vision?
Heartfelt maternity memory by Bay Area Maternity Photographer, Upma Sharma Photography
Before you start your search for a good Bay Area maternity photographer ask yourself what you want out of this photoshoot. Are you looking for an outdoor session in the park where you’ll eventually take your little one to play? Do you want beautiful sunset shots of your baby bump? Outdoors, indoors (studio, fine art maternity) or a bit of both, knowing what you want will help in finding a maternity photographer who can provide what you’re looking for.
Upma Sharma Photography offers both outdoor and studio fine art photoshoots in gorgeous Bay Area locations, check out the maternity portfolio.
Do Your Research on Bay Area Maternity Photographer
Google is a great place to start when looking for a good Bay Area maternity photographer. Begin by exploring their websites to create a list of those who appeal to you.
Another great route is personal referrals. Ask friends and family who recently had babies for their recommendations. What did they like about the Bay Area Maternity photographer they worked with? Is there anything about the session they would do differently? Many new parents hire the same photographer to document other family milestones. Ask your friends and family if they went back to their chosen photographer for a newborn photoshoot.
Keep in mind that not all photographers specialize in maternity shoots. Be sure that only those who do make your list!
Check Out Testimonials and Reviews for Bay Area Maternity Photographer
There is a deluge of reviews from every service or experience these days, but the insights of previous clients can be invaluable when selecting a good Bay Area maternity photographer. They will likely provide a great snapshot of the overall experience the photographer offers. Check out reviews on Google and Yelp for the Bay Area maternity photographer.
Your Bay Area Maternity Photographer Budget
The costs associated with a Bay Area maternity photoshoot vary. Knowing these will help you narrow down your list of maternity photographers to those that fit your budget. Ask about any additional costs that may arise for things like hair and make up and products like wall arts or albums. Some photographers also offer packages, or they’ll customize packages to fit your needs and wants. Discussing all of this upfront can be very helpful in making an informed consumer decision that fits a Bay Area Maternity Photographer within your budget.
Find a Style that Matches Your Vision
Now that you’ve done your research and determined your budget, the next step in your search for a good Bay Area maternity photographer is finding a style that matches your vision. Check for different shooting styles like posed or more emotive, editing style like light and airy, true to colors, dark and moody etc. Each photographer has a distinctive style. Keep your vision in mind when assessing online portfolios. You’ll also want to look for elements of versatility and creativity. The Bay Area is full of unique and stunning landscapes. An established Bay Area maternity photographer will have a repertoire of spots to suggest. Each maternity photoshoot should be unique and special. Even if the Bay Area photographer has favorite spots for shooting sessions, they should be able to create images that tap into what makes your journey different from another prospective mom.
Bay Area Maternity Photographer Photographer Availability
Time is of the essence when choosing a good Bay Area maternity photographer! Pregnancies are only for a finite period of time. Many Bay Area maternity photographers also book quickly. It’s a good idea to plan ahead and book in your second trimester. You’ll want to do your shoot when that baby bump is nice and pronounced and energy levels are good too, between 28 and 33 weeks is the perfect time.
Contacting Bay Area Maternity Photographers
Now that you’ve parred down your short list of Bay Area maternity photographers, it’s time to initiate a conversation with your selections.
Here are some questions to ask during these calls:
How long have they been shooting maternity portraits? Experience matters. You should feel comfortable and beautiful during your maternity photoshoot. An experienced Bay Area maternity photographer will know how to make that happen.
Do they specialize in maternity and newborn portraits, or are they more of an all-purpose type of photographer? It's amazing to work with someone who can do both maternity and newborn photoshoots.
What does a session include? You’ll want to know how many images you’ll receive and whether you’ll get prints, digital images, or both.
Can you give me advice on what to wear during the shoot and do you have a client collection of dresses for the mothers to be?
How long does a maternity photo session last?
How many locations will be used in a session? If you have a preference for indoor (studio fine art) or outdoor photos, it’s important to know what your photographer specializes in.
How will I view my images after the maternity photoshoot? An online gallery is the most common way to view images after a photoshoot but it’s good to know what to expect.
What is the turnaround time for viewing maternity photoshoot images or galleries?
Do they know the best stage to capture maternity portraits?
Are they familiar with poses that may not be safe for pregnant women?
Are photo products offered that you can enjoy everyday like wall arts and albums
Do you feel comfortable talking to the photographer as it will be a big factor in feeling your best during the maternity photoshoot.
One Last Word of Advice
The transition from pregnancy to birth is a significant moment. Make sure the person you’re trusting to document it can create a comfortable and joyous atmosphere for your maternity photoshoot. Investing the time in choosing a good Bay Area maternity photographer will result in a timeless memory your family will cherish.
Bay Area Maternity Photographer, Upma Sharma Photography studio fine art work
Upma Sharma Photography is a Bay Area maternity and newborn photographer, serving Palo Alto, Mountain View, Redwood City, Fremont, Sunnyvale, San Jose and surrounding areas and has 100+ 5 star reviews on Google. I'm the mother of twin boys and love to make every mother absolutely special through the photoshoot experience. Contact me for any questions, I can’t wait to hear from you!