What's a pregnant photographer to do?

[photopam]

Just wondering what any of you lady photographers did during maternity leave to keep your business alive? I feel like mine is about dead, and is not going to be resurrected for about a year . I am due at the beginning of October, so I am so rolly-polly right now. I already have a two year old. I really only do "on-location" shoots of children and some families. I am not wanting a lot of business right now, just because of my immobility. I am hoping that I will be up to doing family shoots in November for Christmas cards and such.

I am wanting to offer a new product to prospective clients, but am wondering if this is a good idea, given that it would be shoots of children, at my stage (third Trimester.) I am not sure if I should wait, or go ahead to try and generate business now...

Any Advice?

(sorry if this is long)

Thank you so much!
Pam

[toverman]

You only asked the ladies, but I had a thought, too.

Do you have the equipment/room/ability/legal preparations to have a small in-home studio? Maybe focus on maternity shots (where your kids would be welcome to loiter)? Or even newborn shots? Or family-newborn shots? That's about the only situation I can see where you could stay home, spend time with both your kids and not have to hire a sitter when clients pop over.

[Nataliek]

Thats a tough one. I am hoping to have a third child and have given this much thought. I basically think I am going to have to take off two months.....the last month of the pregnancy and at least 6 weeks after I have the baby. I will have to have someone come with me on the last leg of the pregnancy as I will not be able to move my chairs, etc that I tend to bring on sessions. I figure I will just let my clients know that from x date to x date I will be off and if they are wanting sessions to schedule around those dates. How long have you been in biz?

And congrats on the pregnancy :)

[srwatters]

You might want to PM Erin Kathleen. She has been through two pregnancies and kept her business going well I believe.

[JenJohnson79]

I'm pregnant with number three! Due September 23rd. So I'm in this boat as we speak. I have my last appointment 24th of August, a family session in the evening. Then I've got a wedding booked for November 15th. I've told all everyone I'd be happy to resume work after that wedding. I'll probably drop early, there's even talk of inducing early, as he's going to be a really big baby if I go to term. My older two go to daycare three days a week, that's when I schedule my appointments. As for now, I'm planning on taking the newborn with me during the week to appointments, that's what strollers are for!!! My husband is home on the weekends during weddings and such to watch all three. That's my game plan!

[Breezy]

I was pregnant when I was a manager of a photo studio.
Honestly I worked up until the day I was put into the hospital (needed meds and had to be monitored as my longest labor lasted 3.5 hours). I was back at work 2 weeks later. I would work as much as you can doing the "easiest" shoots you can. But that was my 3rd pregnancy not sure which one you are on.

If you take a lot of time off I would definately offer some great item when you return.

[ggeen]

Well, not quite the same thing, my optometrist is from overseas. Every years she takes a month off to visit her family. During that month she invites a "guest" doctor, usually retired, to fill in for her. This year she had three different doctors fill in for her.

I guess I am suggesting that you sub-out for a while. -G

[laticiaragle]

I shot up until I had my children so I am probably no help. I do mostly wedding photography and on-location stuff. I moved a little slower but was still able to maintain my clients. I suggest maybe doing what Todd said...doing some in home stuff for a while! My children are two and three now and I still meet here in my home with clients. I make it known to my clients ahead of time the situation and they have no problems with it....I think it has actually helped my business, it adds a personal touch to things! Just my 2 cents!

[arcproducts]

Just my 2 cents of offering suggestions .....

if you have a blog, just keep it updated several times a week or more, make sure your clients get on a mailing list or RSS feed. Fill it up with photos from previous shoots, interesting videos you run across or articles of interest.

also, as far as other 'products or services' to offer --- maybe offer up some gift items like photo books, note cards and such. stocking stuffer stuff.

and, don't forget, just freshen up on your photoshop skills, take online classes, read alot, make sure your business stuff is in up to date order that sort of thing.

offer special promos for 'come back' photo sessions, referral promos that sort of thing for after you have your baby, all of which can be talked about in your blog.

[photopam]

Thank you all for your responses! I defiantly want to keep shooting and am considering doing a children's promotion, just wondering if it's a good idea now or to wait when I come back from maternity leave.

I'm not too worried about after he is born, just right now (August and September).

Jennifer- I like your idea of taking baby along in the stroller. I did this with my first until she got too big. Either that, or asked a friend to watch her.

About inviting clients into my home, I'll have to talk to my husband about that.

Thanks for the ideas!

[photopam]

Originally Posted by arcproducts

Just my 2 cents of offering suggestions .....

if you have a blog, just keep it updated several times a week or more, make sure your clients get on a mailing list or RSS feed. Fill it up with photos from previous shoots, interesting videos you run across or articles of interest.

also, as far as other 'products or services' to offer --- maybe offer up some gift items like photo books, note cards and such. stocking stuffer stuff.

and, don't forget, just freshen up on your photoshop skills, take online classes, read alot, make sure your business stuff is in up to date order that sort of thing.

offer special promos for 'come back' photo sessions, referral promos that sort of thing for after you have your baby, all of which can be talked about in your blog.

These are awesome ideas! Thank you. I like the idea about the blog updates. I am always wondering what to do with in in a lull. As of now I am posting pictures of my daughter.

[ilove2eatcake]

hi! i will be joining the mommy club this summer :) for those of you who are wedding photographers, at what point did you stop shooting weddings before your due date? is a month before a good stopping point? thanks!

[laticiaragle]

I am all over the place when I shoot and I shot a wedding about 3 weeks before I was due....the pics turned out good but it was still a little tough on me. I think it just depends on the person but a month is a good stopping point IMHO!

[HotHolly]

My last baby was 11.7 lbs when he was born. OMG. I has so huge. I understand the immobility issue. Since I crawl all over the place when Im shooting, I'd put off the sessions that I had to and book them for a later date.

You can book sessions now for AFTER your delivery. Most clients dont get in to see us same week. Last year, by the end of Jan, I had my calender filled with kid sessions through April. It was insane. Payment is due for the session fee when they book to lock in their date. You can do something like that and just say there isnt a session available until Nov 1st (or when ever you feel you'll be mobile again).

And totally keep your blog going. Ditto to that.

[Shelby Lane]

Originally Posted by ilove2eatcake

hi! i will be joining the mommy club this summer :) for those of you who are wedding photographers, at what point did you stop shooting weddings before your due date? is a month before a good stopping point? thanks!

With my first, I wasn't worried about feeling huge and not being able to get around well. I was worried about what would happen if I ended up getting put on bed rest or going into labor early, and I couldn't actually shoot the wedding. So I stopped taking weddings before I was 30 weeks, just to be safe. Portrait sessions can be rescheduled. Weddings can't, and I didn't want to have send another photog out to shoot a wedding for a bride that was expecting to see me.

As it turned out, I did get put on bed rest with both my babies, and my 2nd was born 4 weeks early.