How would you

[Breezy]

ask a neighbor that you have never spoken to if you could take some maternity photos of her? She is very much pregnant and I was hoping she would let me shoot some to put on my site and there would be no obligation to buy ( I hope she would) so how should I approach her?
TIA

[CaptainTom]

Direct approach would probably work best.
Introduce yourself as her neighbor, and explain that you are a professional photographer, and always on the lookout for interesting and diverse subjects and people to photograph.
You admire how beautiful she looks, and that it would be your priviledge to take a few photographs of her before the baby arrives.
If she is comfortable to this point, then you can explain that you would like to use a couple on your website, and that because of this, you would provide her with X no. of free prints after the shoot. If she declines to let you use them, shoot her anyway, and maybe once she's seen them she will change her mind.

[Breezy]

Great thanks Tom.
I used to be very direct with people but it tends to get me in trouble lol.
I will try to go over there tomorrow and hope she doesn't have the baby before next weekend lol. Cause I believe she is still working. Then I gotta ask the other neighbor if I can shoot her baby I am sure she will let me I just have to ask since we do talk periodically lol.
Thanks again :D

[Breezy]

Well I went over and talked to her. She is very nice but since she is due this week she doesn't want to do maternity pics but would be happy for me to shoot the babys pics.
YAY for me for stepping out side of my comfort zone lol.
Thanks Tom

[CaptainTom]

I expect a byline when you print the babys pix... just kidding.

[Breezy]

hehe