Maternity pictures vs. newborn photos

[timorousbeastie]

I'm doing both, but the newborn pics are a gift from our friend, so we only had to pay for maternity pics. If I had to choose just one, I'd probably just do newborn pictures, and make more of an effort to have my H and/or friends take pictures of me throughout the pregnancy. I'd rather have pro shots of cute, squishy baby than of me looking like I'm smuggling a watermelon under my shirt

[andthentherewere10]

I would do newborn. I'm doing neither.

[Deleted]

We're doing both but if I had to pick one I would rather do the newborn ones. I'm really glad we got maternity pictures though. I love them. If you think you might regret it, then you should get them.

[Yankees21]

We are doing both..I actually have my maternity pictures today if I had to choose though, newborn pictures, hands down.

[Deleted]

We are doing neither. But if I were to do one and not the other, I would do newborn photos.

[natablue]

I did maternity, not sure about newborn. The photographer who did our maternity shoot is also due right now (with her 4th girl!) so she's not available to take newborn pics, lol. We haven't found anyone else as affordable.

[magdala]

Newborn photos only. This baby has two sets of overexcited grandparents. I am just hoping the camera flash won't traumatize the baby.

[vmars]

My friend who has a good camera/artistic did a quick maternity shoot for us -- I got her a $50 gc to her fave store. At the hospital they did newborn pics - it was only $100. I am glad we did both and didn't spend a fortune. We also have a million pics friends/family took too

[natablue]

Jan 25, 2014 13:51:04 GMT -5 gravytrain225 said:

Jan 25, 2014 12:32:36 GMT -5 natablue said:

I did maternity, not sure about newborn. The photographer who did our maternity shoot is also due right now (with her 4th girl!) so she's not available to take newborn pics, lol. We haven't found anyone else as affordable.

I think you're from Buffalo, right?  My newborn photographer is definitely affordable if you are looking for a recommendation. 

I'm 2.5 hours from buffalo, but travel there frequently. Probably not anytime soon after the baby is born though

[MrsDarcy]

I did both with my first pregnancy, and am glad I did both. This time I hope to do newborn.

[curbsideprophet]

I only did newborn with my first. I might do both with this pregnancy, not sure yet.

[starlily]

I did only pro newborn pics the first time, and that's the plan for this time as well. I just don't feel attractive while pregnant and don't want to waste money on pictures I know I'll never display.

[FastHands]

Jan 25, 2014 13:04:51 GMT -5 magdala said:

Newborn photos only. This baby has two sets of overexcited grandparents. I am just hoping the camera flash won't traumatize the baby.

Most newborn photographers don't use flash. Natural light is muuuuch prettier on baby skin. If it's needed in a pinch, though, it won't hurt the baby at all -- it may cause them to flinch and ruin the shot though (another reason to avoid it)!

[ilikedonuts]

I did just newborn with DD1 and maternity and newborn with DD2.

[magdala]

Jan 25, 2014 20:17:53 GMT -5 FastHands said:

Jan 25, 2014 13:04:51 GMT -5 magdala said:

Newborn photos only. This baby has two sets of overexcited grandparents. I am just hoping the camera flash won't traumatize the baby.

Most newborn photographers don't use flash. Natural light is muuuuch prettier on baby skin. If it's needed in a pinch, though, it won't hurt the baby at all -- it may cause them to flinch and ruin the shot though (another reason to avoid it)!

The flash users are the overexcited grandparents.  My FIL loves pictures already and is super excited about the new arrival.   

[SJ]

I think we will have my BFF do both. I actually may also ask her to take some in the delivery room/hospital if DH is ok with it.

[statlerwaldorf]

I didn't do any professional maternity pictures and I haven't regretted it. I would rather spend the money on extra pictures of the baby.

[shaynaatl]

Jan 26, 2014 16:45:32 GMT -5 statlerwaldorf said:

I didn't do any professional maternity pictures and I haven't regretted it. I would rather spend the money on extra pictures of the baby.

This for us also. 

[shelbyann]

We did (are planning to do) both. We actually did our mat pics on Saturday. I went back and forth, but at the end of the day I have so few pics of H and I together that it seemed like a good excuse to have some taken. Assuming we like how the mat pics come out, we'll use the same photog for both.

[marie3246]

We are just going to do newborn. I found a photographer I really like, but just realized I would have to go to her studio and I'm thinking that's not the best idea for right after birth. I was never really interested in maternity because I feel awful about my weight gain and do not feel good about myself at all. Maybe next time we could do a family photo shoot when I'm not so huge.

[anna7602]

I didn't do either with DD, but might do some maternity shots this time only because I love all the maternity shots I've seen friends do with their older kids in them. But they would be journalistic-out-and-about-in-the-city type shots, which is more my style. I can't imagine carting a newborn around the city and getting cute shots of him/her in Central Park, etc. without some kind of meltdown along the way.

[ringstrue]

My newborn pics are much more dear to me after 4 years than my maternity pictures. You can dress up and go out and take a few good pics of yourself with your bump, but it seems to require a lot more timing, lighting, setup, etc., for guaranteed great newborn pics.

I did do a pro-session of maternity pics the first time but I don't hardly use them at all. They just sit on a CD.