Being a pregnant photographer?

nicoleshilliday

I have just found out I am pregnant and have two Weddings to shoot at the end of May (back to back, one on Friday and one on Saturday). I will be a little over 5 months at that point. I don't know what to do about this? I have asked my Dr. and she said that as of right now she thinks i will be fine, just make sure i relax, sit and rest when ever i can. But she also said who knows what the future can bring.

I work alone, so don't have a backup photographer.

Does anyone have any experience with this? or suggestions...or maybe another photographer that might have these dates open for a resonable price in the Albany, NY area? May 23rd and May 24th.

Thanks!!!!!!

stirfry

Welcome to Club Mom I'm sure someone has been in this situation before, and they'll chime in with something (but I didn't want to read such good news and not comment on it!)

I'm not a professional photographer by anyone's stretch of the imagination, however I have been pregnant several times and have worked a job that required me to stand and move constantly on my feet anywhere from 4 to 14 hours a shift, and required lifting/pushing/carrying of 35+lbs. (I did trade in my heels for some Dansko shoes; however unattractive, they are like walking in heaven. Look into those!) I do think every person and even every pregnancy is different, but typically the second trimester is the honeymoon period ... and if you have to work on your feet at any period during a pregnancy, I'd say months 4-6 would probably be the ideal time to do it.

Assuming a healthy, "normal" pegnancy ... the only thing I'd suggest in addition to your doctor's advice is to carry a bottle of water and few crackers/granola bar type snacks in your bag. My only problem at work during the second trimester was occasional lightheadedness, and that was always whenever I forgot to take the time to hydrate and keep something in my stomach.

Congratulations on your baby, and best wishes for a fabulous pregnancy!

ivar

I don't know anything about shooting while pregnant (and I never will) but congratulations!

Tommyboy

My wife and I just found out that she's pregnant. Congratulations! It's very exciting (well, terrifying) but it generally turns out really well.

I once had to shoot a wedding with a very bad case of the flu and a 102 temperature. To say that it was a miserable experience is putting it mildly. I vowed never to shoot again without a backup plan. Our own wedding photographer suffered a moderate head injury the day of our wedding, come to think of it.

At 5 months, you'll probably be fine, maybe a bit tired, but should be able to perform your duties with no problem.

But what if you can't? The way I see it, you have three choices:

1. Cancel the wedding and let them find other photographers.
2. Arrange for some kind of backup. A pro is going to want assurances of getting paid, so if you don't want to give this away, you may have to find a qualified, almost pro. . . .
3. Roll the dice. The odds are in your favor.

It's a conundrum to be sure. Let us know what you decide. . . .

ShepsMom

I see nothing wrong with being pregnant photographer! Just do what doctor said, relax and enjoy the event. You might want to find a replacement just in case you're not feeling up to it, or 2nd shooter for a back up.
Congratulations and i hope everything will work out!!

bkatz

Congratulations -

I know you must be excited. Look for a backup - always a good idea. And enjoy your pregnancy.

Eric&Susan

I ended up shooting my third wedding all by myself because the photographer that was training me ended up giving birth 2 weeks early. She gave birth on a Friday night and 5:00 am the next morning my phone rings. It was her husband letting me know the good news, for them, and the bad news, for me.

I ended up doing it by myself and everything worked out fine, but boy was I nervous.

You might want to find an aspiring wedding photographer in your area and give them some 2nd shooter experience just in case.

Eric

Elaine

Congratulations!

I was reading another photog's blog the other day, and she tells a little bit about shooting a wedding very close to her due date. At five months, you probably wouldn't have quite the same experience, but you may find it interesting.

Having a second shooter is a good idea, and maybe even someone to just be your gopher and carry around all your gear for you would be nice.

http://www.drewbphotography.blogspot.com/

SavedByZero

Many women work their full time jobs right up till a few days before giving birth, 5 months along is nothing. You may have more of an issue moving thru the crowd on the dance floor with that extra belly girth but unless you're having a high risk pregnancy I see no other problems.

So get your balance back once your at that weight, don't put your gear on the floor if at all possible (it's a long way down), get a dolly or wheeled cart to carry your gear and find a flattering outfit to wear.

And if you have a girl please consider the name Svetlana for her.

Icebear

1. Get a gopher, not a second shooter, unless you planned to have a second anyway.
2. I wouldn't consider arranging a back-up photographer for this situation any more than I'd consider a back-up for the same wedding if you weren't pregnant. There's always SOMETHING that could go wrong, preggers or not. You could get sick, or injured, or have an auto accident on the way to the assignment. That's why you have a provision in your contract protecting you in the event of circumstances beyond your control. You're not taking an irresponsible risk of non-performance by not pre-arranging a back-up at this point-in-time.
Congratulations, and good luck with the shoot and the baby!!

nicoleshilliday

Thanks!
Thanks everyone! This is all just so new to me and I greatly thank ALL of you for your responses. I think I might bring along a little help, maybe to at least the first one...a just in case sort of thing!

Thanks again!

nicoleshilliday

SavedByZero wrote:

Many women work their full time jobs right up till a few days before giving birth, 5 months along is nothing. You may have more of an issue moving thru the crowd on the dance floor with that extra belly girth but unless you're having a high risk pregnancy I see no other problems.

So get your balance back once your at that weight, don't put your gear on the floor if at all possible (it's a long way down), get a dolly or wheeled cart to carry your gear and find a flattering outfit to wear.

And if you have a girl please consider the name Svetlana for her.

HA! I will! Names are basically the only thing we can think of right now...still too early to find out the sex.

nicoleshilliday

Just as an update....5 months along and shooting a wedding was nothing. i did sleep all day on sunday! Now that i am almost 8 months, i still think i could do it. The only real issue was that i had much more attention on me then i wanted. I was just starting to really show and many people wanted to know the due date, names, etc.

thanks again for all the comments!

ChatKat

Okay
First, at 5 months if you are healthy, you should have no problem shooting or doing anything that you could do before you were pregnant. Being pregnant is not a sickness or abnormality! If your doctor thinks it's okay, then it is. Take breaks when you can and don't lift more than is reasonable.

I have two friends near Albany that work for Kodak but shoot weddings. Their work is incredible. If you want to network with them as a back up, let me know. Send me a PM or email me.

Moogle Pepper

nicoleshilliday wrote:

Just as an update....5 months along and shooting a wedding was nothing. i did sleep all day on sunday! Now that i am almost 8 months, i still think i could do it. The only real issue was that i had much more attention on me then i wanted. I was just starting to really show and many people wanted to know the due date, names, etc.

thanks again for all the comments!

Wow! Congratulations!

But I think you should take it slow now. Take it easy!

nicoleshilliday

Moogle Pepper wrote:

Wow! Congratulations!

But I think you should take it slow now. Take it easy!

Ohh i am, nothing booked till after the baby is born. Now i am just having fun taking pictures of my growing belly.