3 Tips for Pregnant Photographers

Being that I'm 6 months pregnant, I've had to make a few adaptations to how I do things photography wise. Here are three tips:

1. I realized when shooting a wedding last weekend that baby does not like a huge camera (with battery pack) resting on her head. I switched to our Black Rapid shoulder strap and all was well. As a side note, Gary uses two shoulder straps during receptions so both cameras are ready to go, and seriously, it's really comfortable. The only time I do not like using the dual straps with two cameras is when I'm low down to the ground a lot because a camera gets bumped around. Although, being pretty big right now, there's not a whole lot of crouching down going on.

{Photo taken from Teamworkphoto.com}

2. When editing, it can be really hard on your body/belly/butt to sit at a chair. I use an exercise ball. So much better!

3. How much to work when pregnant? I've realized that it is best to book about 25-50% of what you normally would. Baby and momma come first:) First trimester you often feel sick, second you could be dealing with some lovely sciatica, and third? Well, bring on the fatigue. You don't want to be working hard with a `baby brain' (you know, when you're really forgetful and your brain is functioning at about 75% or less):) Better to do less but put a more effort/energy into those sessions. Also, holding the equipment and getting into your regular positions (climbing, squatting etc) is a lot harder on your body and can leave you feeling sore for a whole lot longer. Take care of yourself!

Just my thoughts:) Now we'll have to wait a few more months and see what I have to say about how much to work with a newborn! I am taking one month off of everything and then in the second month I will be doing some editing (Gary will do 2 weddings with another second shooter) and then in month 3, I should be back at it. That's the plan, we'll see how it goes!

Shooting in the Cold

Here's a great accessory for taking photos in the cold; Lululemon gloves. The tips of the pointer finger and thumb can be easily slipped over your fingers which allow you to turn knobs yet keep your hands from freezing. I love them! I think they are actually meant to control your iPod but it works wonderfully with your camera too!

{The other thing to remember when shooting in the cold is that your battery will drain way faster! When I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, I hiked with my camera batteries tucked under almost all of my clothes.}

What Do You Shoot In?

This poll was taken from Digital Photography School with over 72,000 people (mostly photographers, I'm assuming) participating. I personally shoot Aperture Priority (AV on your dial) all the time except when doing studio stuff, then I use Manual. If you have a DSLR and haven't made your way out of automatic, I really, really encourage you to. Learn about what aperture, ISO, and shutter speed mean, and how to adjust them, and you can make the most out of any lighting situation.

Up To Me

I've been reading the magazine/book `Exposed' by Jasmine Star over the holidays (thank you to my sister for getting it for me!). Jasmine is a well known wedding photographer and her magazine shows how she started and where is now. I think if you want to be a wedding photographer, it is a great resource. Photography is her life and it's definitely not mine, so we are different, but, it gives some great ideas of what to do and not do. I'm about halfway through but something I read yesterday really stuck with me.

When I come back from a session, my feelings are always different. Sometimes I'm like `That was so fun! I loved it!' but other times, well, I feel like, `That wasn't fun. That was a job'. Trying to differentiate between what makes one session fun and the other not so great, I can't tell you exactly what it is. I love it when the family/couple/kids have put time into their outfits. When they choose a fun location. When the lighting is good. When there are just great interactions between the individuals. When people feel comfortable and are willing to do anything. When people WANT to be there. Sometimes it's so `on' and other times, it's not.

Here is something she says, `If you're feeling unsatisfied with your photos, it's your fault. If your clients look awkward in their photos, it's your fault. If you feel stuck, that's also your fault.' (Exposed, pg. 116). If someone isn't comfortable, it's my job to loosen them up. Most people haven't had a photo session before, it's my job to explain it to them, have a vision (which coincides with their goals), and have fun with it.

I think I often worry about making sure I get what the client thinks they want that I put aside my ideas. I remember just a few months back, I was taking some pictures of sweet little Claire. About half way through, her mom, Estelle, said `What inspires you? What do you love to do?'. What do I love? I love taking pictures of kids with some awesome lighting. So, that's what we did and I loved those photos.

I need to trust myself more. Encourage clients to loosen up a bit more and try just a few more things. I need to get inspired by introducing new ideas. And, I do need to work on capturing more `moments' rather than set up smiles:)

I'm looking forward to 2012. Our plan is not to grow our business in the numerical sense, but to do what we do even better. I want to try new things and just produce images that I can be super proud of. I want to make sure that I incorporate what I want to do into each session and not just give what I think the client wants. Hopefully that way, there is a lot more, `That was so fun! I loved it!' going on.

Booking Ahead

It's hard to know how far ahead to accept bookings but I think I'm getting the hang of it:) The reason you don't want to book too far ahead is because you don't know what your personal plans will be, you might realize that 22 weddings in one year is too much on top of all those other sessions, AND maybe you'll realize that certain sessions, like extended family sessions, are just not your thing but you have 10 more booked.

So, we usually open bookings for the following year in January. Then, I accept bookings up to about 6 months in advance. I do try to have a back up date also scheduled in just in case the weather is terrible or something comes up.

In regards to weddings, they are usually about a year in advance. The problem with any more than that is you really don't know what life will hold for you (for example, we are having a baby!). It is in our contract that if one of us is unable to photograph the wedding, a second photographer will be available in their place. We are having to do this for 2 weddings next year as we'll have a newborn babe. Also, when I quote a price to a bride, it's a year before her wedding and when the big day actually comes, our prices have been raised so we are losing out on money. This is especially the case when they book more than a year in advance.

I have realized the importance of scheduling family vacation time way in advance so that you have time set aside just for family and nothing else. For us, Christmas holidays, Spring Break and 2-3 weeks in the summer is ideal. Also, this is a good time to rejuvenate and reflect on what you really do enjoy and what is more just `work'. When our kids are a bit older, I have a feeling that we will move away from summer weddings so that we have the whole summer to go on long road trips with the family:)

So, that is where I am now. I'm at the tail end of all the fall sessions with really just two more sessions to do this year and four to finish editing. Things will definitely be a lot different next year as we have only accepted 8 weddings. This will give us more time to focus on our baby and try to find the perfect balance between wedding, family, maternity and newborn photography.

If you have any more booking tips, please let me know!

Unplugged Wedding?

I know, I keep cheating by just posting links here but ya, I'm a little tired these days:) Anyway, this is a great article. It is unbelievable to me how many people spend time staring into their LCD screens rather than actually savouring the moment. What the heck are you going to do with all those photos you took at a ceremony as a guest?

Here it is.

Fall Photo Inspiration

I do love checking out Inspire Me Baby for different session ideas. Check out this cute fall themed session which I thought she captured so well!