Tips for Pro Mom*togs – Week 4
While I was pregnant and after I had Brayden I got a ton of emails asking how I balanced shooting weddings and being pregnant. Did I tell my brides I was pregnant? Did they get mad? How did I make sure the weddings were covered? The key to making it work for me was networking. I had two very good friends (thank you Trista and Jasmine!) who were able to step in and help me cover my last two weddings for me. I knew that I wanted to be there if I could, but at 36 and 37 weeks pregnant there was a high probability I might not be able to make it. I wanted to know that if I couldn’t be there my brides would be well taken care of and that the photographers who were there would treat the wedding as if it was their own. And while I was able to make it to both weddings and everything turned out great, I did get into a car accident the night before my last wedding which landed me in labor and delivery until 2am. It was really scary, but I knew Trista had my back.
Networking is important not just when you are pregnant, but at any time in your career. What if you or your child gets really sick and you can’t make it to a wedding? Through networking I know that I have good photographer friends who would cover for me if I needed them to and they know that I would do the same for them. And being a photographer and working on your own can be lonely at times. While I don’t have someone sitting in a cubicle next to me I can email one of my friends and they will totally understand my situation and will offer up great advice.
There’s no need to be competitive with other photographers out there. There’s plenty of work to go around! My friends and I even share a joint calendar so if I’m booked for a date I can send the bride to one of my friends who isn’t. And they do the same for me.
I always suggest to photographers to reach out to other photographers in their community who are at their same skill level. They can help answer questions, refer work to you, and will be there with you as your business grows. It’s an awesome way to make friends, help your business, and to ensure that you have help if needed!
And just because I looked so ridiculous, here’s a picture Jasmine took of me shooting at 36 weeks… standing on a chair. How did I even get up there???
About DrewB
I’ve started this blog as a way to connect with other moms who love photography. Whether you are a professional photographer who is looking for advice on how to manage your own business and your family or if you are a mom who is looking for tips on how to take better pictures of your kids, I hope that you can find some good information and be inspired!
that is awesome….I think both the belly-mama & bride are “a-glow”
I am truly grateful for this blog….I’ve been reading it every spare moment & attempting ( This is how I learn, not thru books or the smart-as()* at our camera store) I won’t be attempting business as much as that sounds fantastic, I have 5 to chase. Although on the bright side I have 5 “subjects” at my disposal too
Bless you & your fab blog!
Ada in Coastal Cali
Hahaha! I LOVE that photo…you’re such a rockstar!
xoxo
Great thoughts. Thanks for sharing. I love your attitude toward other photographers. And LOL at the 36 weeks shot – you were really cute pregnant – all belly! My husband would KILL me if he’d caught me on a chair that late in pregnancy! I always tell people that if I told him not-pregnant that I was going to go dodge cars on I-5, he’s say “Have Fun” but whenever I’m pregnant, he becomes super-ridiculously-overprotective.
Cari’s last blog post..I Heart {Easter} Faces – Amateur Week
That is a great picture! I don’t do a lot of weddings, but this is my fear that I won’t make one. I did have a large sports shoot scheduled a week before my due date. I had another photog book it on his calendar so he could step in if needed. Turns out I made it with only a day to spare. I am actually planning my next pregnancy around my summer weddings. how sad is that!
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Commitment is the name of your game!! When I get married I’m totally flying you in. And your friends can come too! =)
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I was wondering why I got so many hits on my website
I still can’t believe you freaking shot a wedding the day after you got into a car accident and went into premature labor…wth??!!! heheheh…good memories though 
Trista’s last blog post..Rascals : Julian’s First Birthday!
I was really in awe of you that day! You were zipping around like you weren’t even pregnant lol. I would have been taking 5 minute breaks every 5 minutes…but I’m a high maintenance prego chick! It’s already starting only have way through!
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