Is 30 Minutes Enough Time For Maternity Portraits? - Steven Cotton Photography (2024)

FAQs

Is 30 Minutes Enough Time For Maternity Portraits? - Steven Cotton Photography? ›

30 Minutes Is Great If You Do Not Plan On Changing Outfits

A 30-minute photography session is usually perfect for solo portraits unless you have a bunch of photo spots in mind. Usually, we recommend 1-2 walkable locations for these shorter shoots, but multiple spots are possible with an hour shoot!

I always say, the best time for maternity pictures is when you feel good and are still feeling comfortable. In most cases this is during your 7th or 8th month of pregnancy, between 30-36 weeks.

Each session time will vary slightly depending on the location. Some parks require more walking to get to different spots. In 30-minutes I take an average of 400 images and keep things efficient by moving and changing poses.

About an hour or so before the sun is set to set. The closer your session is scheduled to the time the sun is rising or setting is going to be the best time of day 😉 So if the sun is scheduled to set at 8 PM, for example – 5 or 6 PM is going to be MUCH better than 12 PM.

The standard price starts at $120 for a 30-minute photo shoot. However, this figure is conditional, because most often customers are asked to print pictures to make a family album. Be sure to add to the cost the time spent on post-processing and printing.

“How long does a photoshoot take?” A photoshoot on average is around 1 hour. Some photographers are quicker than others and are more experienced. The more experienced photographers usually can shoot closer to 30 mins and still get just as much done as those who take an hour.

These images represent all you have gone through and will go through, and you can feel good knowing that you are celebrating every inch of your body, no matter how you feel, how you look or how you think about how you look. Maternity photos are a celebration of the journey your body is undertaking.

While many women choose to celebrate the changes their body undergoes during pregnancy and document them in photographs; other women are more conservative.

Some popular options for maternity shoots include ultrasound photos, baby shoes, or baby-related items like onesies or stuffed animals. Another common item expecting mothers like to bring is baby books. Popular choices are Are You My Mother, The Wonderful Things You Will Be, I Am a Big Sister, I am a Big Brother.

Who should be in maternity photos? ›

Of course your partner can and SHOULD be included. Including dad in your maternity session is always encouraged. This will likely be the last set of portraits you have together before your family changes forever. You are celebrating and documenting the story of your impending little human's arrival.

New York City photographers the Rainiers recommend scheduling a maternity photo session within 28 to 36 weeks of a client's pregnancy. That's as early as the seventh month, yet no later than the end of the eighth month of pregnancy.

If your session will take place in the fall or winter, warmer fabrics and textures are a great choice. You might want to consider layering a scarf or chunky knit cardigan over a dress. Fall sessions also allow for warmer colors and jewel tones as an option.

Professional photographers swear by the perfect light of the "golden hour," which lasts for about an hour right after sunrise and an hour right before sunset when the sun is low in the sky and offers a soft, diffused light.

The 20-20-20 rule suggests giving your eyes a break every 20 minutes by looking at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds while blinking.

Product photography: This type of commercial photography involves taking artistic photos of a product for the company to use in marketing. Product photographers charge an hourly average between $100–$300 but may earn more depending on their experience and the scope of the work required for the photo shoot.

There is a term called Pareto's Principle, or the 80/20 rule, which refers to situations where 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. This is a very important idea to understand when growing your photography business. 80% of your overall sales could come from 20% of your clients or products.