Advice needed--maternity and birth photo experience desired....

[bliss_eternal]

I'm taking photography courses. Will be starting another one in a few weeks. I'm very interested in taking maternity and birth photos.

I'm not at all sure how to proceed with this. I'm not a pro (yet)and since I don't have photos of of others that were pregnant or giving birth--I don't really know how to get anyone to allow me to do this for them. I mean, wouldn't people want to see samples of this kind of work, prior to allowing you to do this for them?

Anyway,any ideas or suggestions about this would be appreciated!

Thanks!
bliss_e. :hi:

[lakemonster11]

1. I've seen job listings for baby photographers in hospitals

that don't require any photography experience. I don't know exactly what they do.

It may not be exactly what you're thinking about, but it could be a place to start.

[bliss_eternal]

2. They primarily photograph the newborns for parents

that have just delivered in the hospital.

I'm actually planning on volunteering at my local hospitl to do that! Thanks for the suggestion!

I found someone that needs a new maternity photographer, a maternity resource center that is nearby.

I just don't have any similiar prior work to show, or really any work--I'm trying to figure out how or what I can show this person or make myself look like a promising candidate, despite having no pics of pregnant moms as portfolio samples.

I'm not sure of the logistics of finding maternity models willing to sit for photos. :shrug:

Thanks again for your suggestion--I appreciate your response!

[ConsAreLiars]

3. You need to demonstrate your skill, not necessarily photos of newborns.

Indoor posed portraits, children at parties, etc. Anything that shows your ability to work with people and control things like lighting and the techinical side generally.

You can use your social network or even something like Craigs List to get a newborn shot or two into your portfolio - it wouldn't hurt - but the main thing is to demonstrate your competence with the camera and with people, not the number of baby pix.

[bliss_eternal]

4. Oh, okay--that makes sense! Another question for you...

how should I show the pictures? As I'm pretty new to this, I don't have an actual professional portfolio yet...what size photos should I use, and how should I display them to look most professional?

I know it would look rather tacky to go in with my personal photo album--LOL!

...and thank you for your advising me on this--I appreciate your response! :D

[ConsAreLiars]

5. Put some 8x10's in an album if you can get an interview.

Hiring depends a lot on personal interviews, so bringing in your work in album form is your best bet. If you were casting a wide net at anonymous agencies, then a CD would be more practical. Your local photo supply store is probably the best way to get advice on choosing display albums, but your first concern will be to put together a collection of prints that show you can do the job. How they get presented to the prospective client/employer matters less than what they show about your skill. You could just give the interviewer an envelope full of prints, but the album format makes you seem more "together."

(Bear in mind that you'll get better advice from those actually selling their skills. These are my impressions based on reading a lot of photo mags, not direct experience.)

[bliss_eternal]

6. It's pretty informal actually...

but your recommendations sound solid to me. If anyone reading this would like to make other suggestions, feel free...

As a resource center for pregnant women, the owner told me that they get many calls from people wanting maternity photos/portraits taken. More so than they do for birth event documentation, which was why I initially called.

They are losing both of the photographers that they generally work with for maternity portraits. One is moving away, the other's work has really taken off and doesn't have the time anymore (and she's pricey because she's in demand). Her work is phenomenal! The work of the one moving away is ok...

The owner said she isn't really looking for someone with years and years of experience... but even still, I haven't done formal portrait work before, and am a bit intimidated, especially after seeing the work of the one. She's just amazing!

If you want to see the work of the women they were working with previously, let me know, I'll pm you a link...

Oh and thank you again, for your advice! I appreciate what you've shared with me!