Maine Birth Photographer - Tips to Hire the Best Photographer For You
Maine Birth Photographer - Tips to Hire the Best Photographer for Your Special Day
The act of giving birth has always been treated as a sacred moment throughout history. And now, fittingly, many parents realize the necessity of having a birth photographer present on their special day, the day of the birth of their child. But birth photography is still in its infancy (no pun intended). So naturally, expecting parents might experience a little confusion when deciding how to hire the best birth photographer. As a professional birth photographer in Maine, I strive to offer the best of my services to help you document your miraculous transition to parenthood.
So here are a few tips to hire the best Maine birth photographer to help you document one of the most precious days of your life.
Look Up Your Maine Birth Photographer’s Portfolio
Research is extremely important when deciding the right Maine birth photographer for you. Any professional birth photographer worth their salt will have an extensive portfolio that clearly displays their style and experience. This is exceptionally important to do if you are new to what birth photography is and are still unsure about what you’re looking for. You can access my extensive portfolio here https://www.mymainephoto.com/gallery to decide whether the photos I take are up your lane.
Here are some important questions to ask yourself when deciding what you’re looking for in a Maine birth photographer.
Are the images high quality?
As you can see in my portfolio, I ensure all the pictures are in focus and not blurry. I believe a photographer’s ability to take such photos, unobtrusively, during a hectic event like child labor is a reflection of their professionalism and experience. Furthermore, if the photos are too grainy, it is a clear indicator that the birth photographer is unable to work in low lights or tends to over-edit their photos. I offer the option of flash photography to ensure all of your photos are crystal clear even if you birth in a dark bathroom and the only light in the room is your midwife’s flashlight at 1am.
Do the final edits appeal to you personally?
Naturally, photos taken with a digital camera will go through some sort of editing to ensure the best possible results. But make sure that these final edits are aesthetically pleasing to you. Because everyone has their unique sense of style, it is imperative that my birth photography style matches what you are looking for.
Does the birth photographer’s style match yours?
In regard to style, you have to make sure that your birth photographer’s color scheme is pleasing to you. Is it all black and white or all colored, or, better still, does the color scheme alternate according to the sentimentality and value of the photo? These are all questions you have to ask yourself to get the perfect birth photographer.
Is the birth photographer versatile?
Not everyone chooses to give birth under the bright lights in a hospital. Suppose you choose to have a home birth where the lighting is comparatively poorer. In that case, you need to have the assurance that your birth photographer can work in any lighting or, better yet, use these different lighting situations to their advantage.
Make sure your Maine Birth photographer can accommodate your preferances
At the end of the day, you want your birth photographer to capture your childbirth journey in a way that you want to remember it. This can range from wanting to capture the uncensored, nitty-gritty reality of child labor or a more toned-down version focusing on the miraculousness of bringing a life into the world and the love and happiness that follows in those first moments meeting your new baby. Either way, I can work with your unique preferences and use the limitless availability of creative angles and lighting to provide photos that reflect your perspective of your beautiful day.
Meet your Maine Birth Photographer Beforehand
It is helpful that you meet your Maine birth photographer before you hire them or at least before the day of labor. I am always willing to do this, either in person or over a virtual zoom call, and I cannot stress how important this is. In this meeting, you will get acquainted with me on a professional level to talk about pricing, packages, preferred shots, and shots you are not comfortable being taken. But most importantly, you will get to know me more personally. These first impressions will help you decide whether I match your “vibe” and whether our personalities are similar enough to make sure that I will not be seen as an awkward addition to your birthing space.
You can always contact me to book a session https://www.mymainephoto.com/book-a-consultation
Make sure you are comfortable around your Birth Photographer
Childbirth is an intense and life-changing event that elicits countless human emotions - some of which are not pretty to see. You need to know if your Maine birth photographer is someone you’ll feel comfortable sharing your most intimate moments with. It is extremely important that you establish a connection with me prior to the actual birth - both as a professional Maine Birth Photographer and as a friend.
Your comfort with my presence and my skills also means you and your partner can focus on yourself and the child you are birthing. The more you feel obliged to acknowledge my presence or feel self-conscious enough to try and pose, the less organic the photos become. When it comes to birth photography “unplanned” and “natural” photos are the way to go.
Make Sure Your Birth Photographer will Always be Available and Updated
One of the most important things you have to look for in a Maine birth photographer (or birth photographers in general) is ready availability. Starting at 38 weeks, I offer 24/7 on-call availability. But it is so important that you keep me updated as much as possible - there is no such thing as too much information here. I don’t want to constantly bother you while you’re in early labor, so the best option is for you to keep me consistently updated so I can blend into the background of your special day. Let me know any progress you have learned about at doctors/midwives appointments, contraction patterns, and when your water breaks. The more you tell me the better I can prepare myself for the actual birth and the faster I can arrive with my camera.
Make Sure Your Birth Photographer Is Legitimate and Can Handle Pressure
With the technology available today, anyone with a camera can call themselves a photographer. But a true, experienced birth photographer will be operating a legal, licensed business with top-notch gear and insurance. For further legitimacy, proper birth photographers will as you to sign a contract and model releases. Little details such as a birth photographers ease when discussing childbirth, previous experience in birth photography, and the legal side of their business can determine just how legitimate their operation is.
If my portfolio is any indication of it, I pack high-quality cameras, lenses, and cards to help you make the most of your Maine birth experience. Also, you are free to contact me regarding any concerns about how I run my business and previous client satisfaction. Nothing would please me more than giving you the peace of mind that capable, trustworthy hands will capture your childbirth journey.
In addition, I am a trained professional birth worker and Doula. Thus, I am not only able to meticulously capture your wondrous transition into parenthood, but I can provide bonus doula support on request.
Get Your Prices and Options Right
Transparent pricing and the lack of hidden costs are major indicators that you are hiring a great and reliable birth photographer. Prices could be either listed on the website or sent via email. Either way, you should know from the very beginning if you will be able to afford the birth photography services.
My Basic birth photography service, the Birth Experience, is currently priced at $1,250. I also offer a myriad of other packages, such as,
Coastal Maternity Sessions to document your pregnancy journey.
The Newborn Fresh 48 Sessions offers sessions of 30 to 60 minutes so you can capture the first 48 hours of your child’s life. This includes heartwarming events such as siblings and relatives meeting your bundle of joy for the first time.
The Family Adventure Session, in which I offer my intimate knowledge of photo locations in Maine to photograph a fun family adventure.
All of these valuable packages are priced at $529. Check out more details and packages here https://www.mymainephoto.com/investment-details
As a mother myself, I understand the highs and lows that accompany pregnancy and child birth. I constantly use this experience to my advantage, taking pictures of moments that are priceless in that moment but tend to be forgotten over the course of time.
I hope you use these tips to hire the best Maine birth photographer to offer some clarity on how to consider your options when choosing a birth photographer in Maine. You can only experience those first magical moments with your child once, so it is imperative that you choose a Maine birth photographer who understands the value of that moment and captures it accordingly.
