https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 03:50:04 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-702413 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:59:35 +0000 regberadaisy 702413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: haha - I did! She offered me a lower session fee but no prints or images. :( A CD of the images will be more than the session fee. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-702405 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:57:11 +0000 mrbee 702405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You could email the photographer and say you've been saving up and beg for the old rate? If you ask really nicely, there's a decent chance they'll say yes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-702397 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:55:43 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 702397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: this is ME exactly!! i thought about a maternity shoot, then decided to wait and save up for a newborn shoot.... then we decided that it wasn't worth it either... i never did a one-year shoot either. however, now that we have a family of four, i already made my husband promise that we will get to do a family shoot. it is happening at the end of this year, and we already set aside funds for it. no if's, and's, or but's this time!!</p> <p>instead of all those other shoots and "settling" for an ok photographer, our family shoot is going to be with a photographer i absolutely love!</p> <p>edit: i should mention i have no regrets about not doing a maternity or newborn shoot because at the end of my pregnancy, i didn't feel so hot! and both my kids at jaundice and looked like little funny newborns. noelle had eczema on both her cheeks... it wouldn't have made for very attractive photos. for our 1-year shoot we had a friend shoot the bday with his DSLR and we were happy with what we got even though it wasn't "professional". i'm excited to do a family shoot where we can all be a little more interactive, and the kids will have more personality since they're older too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-702382 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:52:58 +0000 regberadaisy 702382@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LittleFox: aww thank you! That is a really nice perspective. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-702378 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:51:42 +0000 LittleFox 702378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did not have the money for a maternity shoot, a newborn shoot, and probably won't for 1 year photos. We had some photos done at Target portrait studio at the end of my pregnancy, but I had to use a Groupon to even get those. I took some photos of DS as a newborn with my digital camera (I also can't afford a DSLR- we're both grad students living off of one TA salary). </p> <p>I do wish I'd been able to afford nice photos like I wanted, but it just wouldn't be responsible for us to sink a ton of money into them when we ought to be saving. I see it this way: my folks did not have a ton of professionally done, perfect photos like what is common today. They had Polaroids and other snapshots. Looking through family photos, my favorites to look back on aren't even the few pro shots I have from when I was a kid. They're the regular snapshots that document fun things and important milestones. Those are what I try to focus on now, and not beat myself up because I'm making a decision that is more responsible for my family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-702050 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:07:53 +0000 Mrs. Chocolate 702050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: I live in a small suburban area though I have easy access to the big cities if I wanted to go but I dont tend to. I just google casting call newborn photographers in all kinds of random combos and got lucky. I found 2 actually but only ended up going with one. Some will give you prints for free (a certain amount), some will give you a credit, some have a minimum purchase though so you got to go with what you can find. Also local photography groups might have people looking to portfolio build. Craigslist too. If you ever decide to get into photography and join a forum you might find local people too. Hope that helps </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701865 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:12:51 +0000 regberadaisy 701865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Chocolate: how do you find that? I live in a small-ish city! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701862 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:12:05 +0000 maybebaby 701862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: We are on a really tight budget, but photos were a priority for us. We were incredibly lucky to find a local photographer whose work we love who needed to build her maternity portfolio. She did the shoot gratis and we will pay for any prints that we order. We intend to save up to purchase NB shots from her. I definitely agree that some photos that aren't up to the quality you might have in mind are better than none, so if a friend or family member has a nice camera, see what they'd be willing to do! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701856 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:10:35 +0000 Mrs. Chocolate 701856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would suggest maybe seeing if there are any casting calls in your area for local photographers. Right before my son was born was when I discovered photography and specifically newborn photography. I looked around and found a photographer who was portfolio building and she came and did my sons photos when he was nine days old. My husband doesnt see the point of paying for photos and money is tight too so I eventually got a DSLR of my own and joined a photography forum for moms and took some classes. I would not say Im anywhere near ready for professional status but I do feel better about my camera skills and chase my son with it daily. I am set to try my own newborn photos and have been doing some selfie maternity ones as well. The best part of getting into photography though is I have made friends with other local photographers and so many of them are portfolio building so want to try out on my newborn and belly so even if Im not terrific at this I still might get some nice photos from my friends as they are all talented and trying to start up their own business too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701784 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:53:06 +0000 littlebug 701784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't do any maternity photos. I took my own newborn photos. We do plan to do photos around a year - he was born in January, and we plan to take Christmas photos. Close enough. I'll probably take my own 1-year photos like I did the newborn. That or I'll beg a friend of mine to take them on the cheap. (c: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701716 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:43:18 +0000 loveisstrange 701716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wanted some newborn shots BAD but it wasn't feasible for us because of all the time we spent in and out of the hospital when she was tiny.</p> <p>BUT, we did 6 month pictures and are doing her 1 year ones this weekend! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701700 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:41:28 +0000 Ginger333 701700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy - I bet you'll get some awesome pictures :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701645 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:26:09 +0000 regberadaisy 701645@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ginger333: yea, I'm hoping to steal away in the backyard for a few minutes during her party with my good friend who's going to take pictures at the party. He's an amateur but he's pretty decent!</p> <p>I'm just a pro photo snob... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701615 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:19:03 +0000 Ginger333 701615@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't have any pro pictures of my first ... we did a 1 year shoot with a friend who was learning how to use her DSLR and photo editing stuff - she did pretty good.<br /> It wasn't until my third that I did maternity and newborn shoots, so glad my friend talked me into the maternity ones. I regret not having many pictures of me pregnant with the first two. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701604 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:16:38 +0000 irene 701604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I DIYed my own maternity (more like progress) shoot and 1-year birthday shoot. Loved them lol. </p> <p>I didn't do a newborn shoot or a beauty maternity shoot though, which I don't really care for myself. The only thing that I really hired a photographer for was a boudoir shoot years ago (before baby). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701590 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:14:13 +0000 PurpleUnicorn 701590@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had to be careful with finances too and my DH was not a fan of newborn Anne Geddes style photos, so we opted for maternity only. And I've scheduled a 7 month family session. </p> <p>So basically we skipped the newborn photos....and i COMPLETELY regret it! DH didn't care about maternity photos, it was me who really wanted them. So now in hindsight, i WISH i skipped the maternity and got the newborn photos. I am SOO jealous when I see newborn photos now. </p> <p>Another thing - I didn't do them because they were costly with the photog I wanted. Fine. At the very least, I wish i DID get a craiglist person or someone cheap, because seriously, it's not like wedding photos or anything else...it's your BABY and you will only get ONE chance to have those photos. All the photos we have of L when he was born are mostly from the i-phone, he is covered in blankets or we are holding him and you can't see him properly. So now also in hindsight, I wish I got ANY photographer just to take those photos for the memories. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701574 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:09:14 +0000 T.H.O.U. 701574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: Have you thought about just going to Sears or another portrait studio? We have been really happy with our Sears just for a family pose or two. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701554 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:06:01 +0000 sunny 701554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: I started leaving my DSLR out in the living room. I use it SO MUCH MORE OFTEN... I realize that its now not as "safe" as tucked away in the office, but I'm willing to live with that risk for now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701530 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:01:04 +0000 regberadaisy 701530@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Beebug: yea, it was my BIL's and when he passed away my ILs gave it to us. I really need to leave it out more often instead of just using my phone!</p> <p>@honeybear: you're a genius! We got one for our HM and I totally forgot. We literally have like 5 pics of the 3 of us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701508 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:55:45 +0000 honeybear 701508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did not do any professional pictures. I much prefer candid shots of daily events to posed photos, so I bought myself a decent camera instead of hiring a pro. I photograph LO every day! </p> <p>If the problem is that you want to be in the shots, get a tripod and learn to use the timer. My parents got us a Gorillapod and it does the job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701506 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:55:34 +0000 Beebug 701506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: You have a dslr? I would for sure DIY your own pics. I have one too and no way in heck would pay a photog, the rates are insane, and I dont want what they can do bad enough to spend the money when I can still get good, cute pics DIYing!! I didnt do maternity pics, newborn pics, and LO isn't a year yet, and I can bet we wont do 1 year pro shoot :) I know you said you realllly wanted pro pics, but in my (cheap!) opinion you can get close enough with your dslr on your own with some planning and ideas beforehand (all for free :p)! I debated mini-shoot, but then not getting copy of high-res image without paying through the nose was the hook there and I wasn't biting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701480 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:49:58 +0000 Bookish 701480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know you said you looked for students on craigslist, but have you tried a local college? Our photographer does a wonderful job and she's a 22 year old student that only charges 55$ for the session + full rights to edited prints. Her stuff equals what I've seen people pay hundreds for. Students can definitely be iffy, but it's what I'd recommend, just to have *something*! I feel ya though, there's no way we would be doing maternity pics if I had to pay professional prices. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701478 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:49:57 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 701478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does anyone near you do mini sessions? Theres a couple in my area that do holiday themed ones that are gorgeous (and Im super picky) for $75 for a mini session. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701471 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:46:29 +0000 LuLu Mom 701471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree, I would at least do something JCPenny's, Portrait Innovations, ect. just to document the time. It's better to have something to remember this time than nothing at all! And you can usually get it for a pretty decent price. For me, I use a friend who is just starting out and she gives me the disk and unlimited clothing options, she doesn't have a lot of backgrounds but I love that she's willing to do ideas I find online and it helps her build her portfolio! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701400 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:22:39 +0000 JamieLee 701400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My friends actually had a photo shoot at JC Prnney or WalMart or something for their daughter's six month pictures and they got a few that turned out really cute! It was inexpensive too, so she said she wouldn't be too upset if they weren't all great. Could you do something like that just to have something? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701394 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:21:24 +0000 MamaCate 701394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We havent done any prro pics and LO is 16 months. I am frequently tempted but it is just not in the budget. I am considering the jcpenney groupon.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701390 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:19:35 +0000 chopsuey 701390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just took pics at home with our dslr. Never did professional maternity, newborn, or 1 yr and no regrets. Our kids are photographed every day (by me!) and at almost every holiday. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701387 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:18:18 +0000 regberadaisy 701387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: even the crap photographers in my area want $250-$300 for just the session fee. No prints, no images. I'm not paying that kind of money to not even have images.</p> <p>We're having a 1st bday party and my good friend is taking pictures. And on her actual birthday I'll bust out our DSLR. I just really wanted PRO pictures. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701380 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:16:48 +0000 sunny 701380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would just do SOMETHING to document the occasion. Even if its not your dream photo shoot, I still feel like getting something in your budget is better than nothing at all.</p> <p>We paid for a professional to do newborn photos, and then we did JC Penney for 3 month ones. The NB ones were 100x better, but they were also a lot more expensive. I'm happy with the 3 month ones for the $25 we paid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/photo-jealousy#post-701372 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:14:51 +0000 regberadaisy 701372@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I was pregnant I *really* wanted a maternity shoot. It didn't happen due to crap photographers in my area all wanting a lot of money. Then it was nearing the end of my pregnancy and I thought a newborn shoot....we had just bought a house and knee deep in renovations so that didn't happen either. Now that M is almost a year I thought OK for sure I'm doing a 1 yr family shoot. I'll ask for gc for my birthday towards it. But then the ONLY photographer locally I like doubled her rates. Even with GCs it's not unattainable. :(</p> <p>I'm really picky with my photos so if I'm going to do it I want a GOOD photographer. Not a student, I've looked on craigslist and don't see any I like.</p> <p>Anyone else not do maternity, newborn OR 1 year shoot? :(</p> <p>Eh, maybe for pregnancy #2? </p>