Comments on: Maternity Photography – Studio or Location?

By: rupert

rupert — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:09:15 +0000

I think the topic must not be a question.. it may be “Maternity Photography – Studio and Location.” because the choice is still for the clients to decide.. and for the whole article.. I like the ideas… thanks Elizabeth.

By: jon

jon — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 16:10:56 +0000

Anywhere but the delivery room!
=)

By: Cathrine

Cathrine — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 14:47:58 +0000

@ Salahuddin : Those were beautiful photos. I especially like the fact that they are natural, and the mother is dressed. Getting undressed is a private thing, and I remember when I was pregnant, how annoyed I felt when people thought it was appropriate to feel my stomach, just because there was a baby there. Your photos are so respectful of the privacy, but still intimate. Maybe the most lovely maternity photos I have seen. They certainly appealed to me, maybe because I don’t consider pregnancy a public event

By: Salahuddin Ahmad

Salahuddin Ahmad — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 11:30:16 +0000

Another outdoor

The last day http://www.flickr.com/photos/neelelora/4953809057/

Thanks

By: Salahuddin Ahmad

Salahuddin Ahmad — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 23:00:31 +0000

Can be both; here are something that I did

Heavenly lights

Looking forward

World awaits outside
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neelelora/4941530628/in/set-72157624987493335/

By: M Fergy

M Fergy — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:48:48 +0000

I think it’s narrow-minded to say “all” studio shots are generic. Some are, and some are similar to other clients’ images, but I shoot strictly in the studio and I have such a variety of backdrops, fabrics, wraps and clients that I can shake it up and no one gets exactly the same thing. I think outdoor maternity images are counterintuitive. What pregnant woman goes out and randomly lifts her shirt up in the park? None. So why do it for the sake of a photograph? So, no, I don’t think that indoor is worse (or better) than outdoor. I think the outcome of the images lies with the skill and vision of the photographer, and that the studio isn’t as limiting (creatively) as one would think. I had a client refuse for me to come to her house because she felt that pictures in her bedroom, or just in her home period, were “weird” and she insisted on the studio experience.

That said, I *love* location photography and utilize as much natural light (as much as possible in the southeast Texas heat. So I’m not bashing outdoor photography in the least; It’s just not my primary choice for maternity images with the bared bump. Tightly fitted clothing over a 36-week belly? Any day of the week and twice on Sunday, but not necessarily a bare belly.

Overall, I think Elizabeth’s article was insightful and brought up some food for thought. I wish to shoot outdoors sometimes, but clients usually put the kibosh on it because they are uncomfortable at passersby who just want to point and gawk.

Great points and feedback, everyone!

By: Ashley D

Ashley D — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:49:54 +0000

While I agree with Greg, some of us don’t have studios just yet so outdoor shots are all we can offer. I fit right smack in the middle of this category. I am hoping to have a studio sometime in the next year or two, but for now, my clients get the great outdoors or in their own homes with natural window lighting and every one I have shot so far, is ok with that!

By: Cass

Cass — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:46:39 +0000

Great article, I agree that most of the time the client will fall back on what you recommend and my shoots are all location based because i love the natural element when clients forget you are there and do their own thing. Andy – i make sure i have my web address printed on my workshirt across my shoulders – so all of the oglers have it imprinted on their subconscious by the time they wander away!

By: Ron Gibson

Ron Gibson — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 05:48:19 +0000

@ Yvette. I think you said it yourself- “In general I go with the “whatever they want” attitude because it helps me get work”.

Don’t take me the wrong way. The client chose you becasue they liked something about your images. But if you impose your own views on a client ,you are going to do your client a disservice and your phone will stop ringing.

Whatever you do, there will be something in your image that only you were able to bring across. Just as any artist, there is a technique that you have that (hopefully) sets you apart from everyone else. No matter what shoot I’ve done I can tell the image was taken by me- because it was taken by me and I did the post processing. It is my image. But I might dislike the idea, or the look, or the clothing choices, etc, etc. But in the end this is not an image for me. This is an image for my client- and as a professional I care more about my clients feelings about the finished product than my own. Nine times out of ten the client will choose an image that I might have tossed.

By: Yvette

Yvette — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:22:10 +0000

Good points to consider.
I don’t agree with some responders who insist everything is up to the client. We, as photographers, are providing a service, and yes, we want to please our clients but we must also have a vision of our work and which conditions best suit that vision. Our job, as business people (which we are as well folks) is to sell ourselves in the best way we can to achieve our look. My client is the person who wants what I do. The client I want is the one who understands they are paying me for my talent and my time. Of course I collaborate with my clients but, I won’t do something that diminishes the look I’m after. In general I go with the “whatever they want” attitude because it helps me get work but guiding clients to the right choice is very important…it’s what makes us professionals.