Maternity Portrait...did you get one done? Where?

[sweetangel7]

Did you get a maternity portrait done?  If so where?  Babies R Us gave me a coupon/certificate for a free 8x10...I'm thinking about doing it...Just curious if others had them done...and where?

[sweetangel7]

I had one done today...I only got one 8x10 and figured I'd ask dh to take some, some weekend coming up...The lighting they used was horrid!  I hope this doesn't come across the wrong way, but I looked so much better in person than in my photo lol  My house must have softer lighting because I looked pretty good at home....I wouldn't have left home if I didn't lol  I looked good in natural light...outside in the car...but when I saw the proofs, with the BRIGHT lights, I just didn't look nearly as good!  So, I chose the 'best' one, which I don't think is a good photo of me BUT this wasn't about me, this was about capturing a moment of pregnancy...I'll see if dh can scan the pic so I can put it up (even though I'd almost rather not share it)

BUT I am glad I did get one because we have so few pics of me being pregnant.  I always thought I'd do a weekly shot but life happens so quickly and with work and everything else that goes along with being an adult, it just never happened =(  

[jenkaye21]

Ditto... didn't and wish I had.  Now I'm pregnant with #4, and I am definitely getting them done.  Wish I had done it with #1 when I probably looked better! LOL  
Oh well, better do it this time in case its my last chance...

BTW, I am planning to have them done by a private photographer, recommended by a friend.  Hers are gorgeous and extremely well done.  Expensive, but worth every penny since pregnancy is such a short and special time!!

[kjbutcher]

I did not...but I sure wish I did.  I say go for it so you dont sound like me in a year!

[Avanaar]

I had my hubby take ours with our digital camera ... and for the ones we were both in, we set the camera up on a chair with the timer.  We hung our bedsheet on the wall to create a 'studio' and just snapped away.  I got a lot of ideas for poses from searching the internet.  I have a few of the ones we took in my pictures if you want to see what a non-professional can do.  =D  

Once the pictures were taken, I uploaded them to my computer, then used the Google photoediting program, Picasa, to glam them up.  =D  The retouch feature rocks for removing stretch marks!!  lol  ...I'm not ashamed of my 'battle scars' but the pictures sure look a lot prettier without them!

I got to do a 'mini' session with Jaiden once he was born, but he started getting fussy, so we stopped.  I did the same thing tho -- had hubby take the pics then use Picasa to edit them.  Those are in my photos too.  =D

Also, I took a weekly picture of my tummy and starting around 6 months, started taking a monthly full-body picture ('cause my mom complained that she didn't want to see just my stomach lol).  I put the tummy pictures into a slideshow so you can see me grow.  =D

Hope you figure out what best suits you!  I know with being tight on money, taking them yourself rocks!!  Have fun!

[Linzola1]

I didnt vote because none of the choices applied! I had a friend who was a photographer come into my home and do a shoot since I wanted bare belly i was a little self concious! They turned out great! It's a great momento! If you can afford it I really encourage you to do it!  I was 34 weeks

[GRose]

I would love to go get some shots done with my son when I am further along, I think it would be really cute to have him kissing my belly or something like that.

[LauraB78]

We couldn't afford it, but I think if you can,. it is a great idea!

[bimbicat7]

I am a photographer and have done alot of preg women and its great! this being said my partner and i did our own you can set up some great low lighting and have some cute things around blankets, nature object even pet or other children you have, and it can look great!!!! the idea to take a snap each week is great too we have done this but dont forget to write somewhere what week it was! for this on my belly id write 12th week etc in lippy or hold up a sign saying 12th week! something simple works really well and that way when you get them printed you wont be wondering what order they go in! its wonderful to be able to compare these with each pregnancy :)
kepp snapping can never have to many memories! xx

[pookie1121]

I also went to a private photographer when I as 38 weeks who specializes in maternity and family photos  

(and since it was a surprise for my DH, there were a few naked ones too - nothing perverse or too riské or even frontal - but sophisticated and tasteful from the sides with shadows and very nicely done.  Obviously those were for his eyes only.)

[njrohe]

I went to a private photographer.  She is soooo awesome and I have used her with both pregnancies and with my child and family portraits regularly!  If you live in the South Florida area you should check her out

[GRose]

I take a picture at home every 4 weeks, I think I may start doing it every week though.

[blueeyedtabbycat]

I got a free 8x10 from babies r us. I took avantage of it and brought my 2 older boys with for pictures with me. It was the coolest pictures I have had taken in a long time. The only thing I didnt like was the picture didnt really show off my belly too well:( But other than that I loved them. IDK why I never did it with my first 2 pregnancys.

[JoyRenee]

I never thought about it until I was trying for this baby. I thought it'd be fun!

With my other pregnancies I did not get it done. We did get pictures taken as a family but they were not maternity portraits. Instead we spent money on 3D ultrasounds for each girl.

[Mumita]

We're doing one week by week at home, hubby wants to compare how much my belly grows weekly :)

[Diane1003]

I wanted to but my little one came 2.5 weeks early.  I regret that I didn't get one done - we took some shots of me at home but I really wanted to go to Babies R Us and get a professional one...

[evthing4reason]

I didn't get them....but REALLY wanted to, if i hadn't ended up in the hospital for so long and bedrest i was going to get them professionally done...but even when i got out of the hospital i was so weak i can't stand up straight and now i'm just too big, they say around 32 weeks is the best time. my friends took thier own and they turned out great