Newborn Photography

My MIL is a professional newborn photographer and I have no doubt she will want to photograph my newborn when he is born Jan 2012. That's totally fine with me, she takes really nice shots (and obviously at no charge to us!). But, I have recently found another newborn photographer and I prefer his photos over my MIL's. I'd really like to have him do a newborn shoot. I know that my MIL will not react well to this. She is the type of person who would get highly offended and take it very personally, even if we have her do a newborn shoot for us too! Very petty I know, but the last thing I want is conflict, especially right after bub is born. How should I go about this?

I'm sorry but I don't know how you'd handle this as I'd be offended if it were me. What is it about the other photographer's photos that you particularly like? Maybe you could ask your MIL to do certain poses or use certain props/ideas that you like?

If I were you, I would just stick to having your MIL taking the photos. I know that you said you liked the other photographs better but you did also say that MIL takes nice pics that are free. I'm thinking for your sake it might not be worth going through the trauma of dealing with a disgruntled MIL over photographs IYKWIM.

I'd stick with having my MIL do it too but you could say a friend of yours paid for the other person to do a photo shoot for you??

I'm sorry but I don't know how you'd handle this as I'd be offended if it were me. What is it about the other photographer's photos that you particularly like? Maybe you could ask your MIL to do certain poses or use certain props/ideas that you like?

I agree, maybe show your MIL the types of newborn pics that you like, tell her the particular things that you really like about them and see if she can do something similar.

Could you say that you got it as a voucher or something? Im funny about photos too, I like very specific styles so I would be doing the same thing you want to do.

How about you do both? I mean, who can't help having lots of photos of their newborn right? I only wish we had got much more pics than we did but my ds was in hospital for the first 5 weeks of his life, a bit hard to be taking too many pics with a camera flashing every 5 secs in his face & especially with all the other newborns there. (got lots when he came but!) laugh
So why not get the best of both professional photos? Let your MIL take some beautiful pics her way and the newborn photographer their way. This way you'll have different pictures captured in ways the other may not have captured.....and everyone's happy! Good luck hey smile

My MIL has a very specific way of doing her photos, and would sooner turn away a client than change her style at their request. The props she uses are a white sheet as a back-drop, and a white blanket over the baby. Her main focus is on capturing facial expressions. The other photographer captures fantastic facial expressions, but at the same time also manages to sit the baby in the most gorgeous, sweetest little poses, with hands cupping chin, etc. There is just something extra special about his photography that I really love. Even if my MIL agreed to try it his way, I don't think she could quite get the same effect.

Maybe I am being selfish, but I feel that if I went with MIL's photos I would be missing out on something really special that I want for my baby. It's my baby... I want to choose what sort of newborn photos we have. Does that make me an awful person? This is a horrible situation sad DH is supportive and says to use the other photographer if I'd prefer to.

How about you do both? I mean, who can't help having lots of photos of their newborn right? I only wish we had got much more pics than we did but my ds was in hospital for the first 5 weeks of his life, a bit hard to be taking too many pics with a camera flashing every 5 secs in his face & especially with all the other newborns there. (got lots when he came but!) laugh
So why not get the best of both professional photos? Let your MIL take some beautiful pics her way and the newborn photographer their way. This way you'll have different pictures captured in ways the other may not have captured.....and everyone's happy! Good luck hey smile

Thank you so much for your reply! I feel perfectly happy asking both to do some photography shots. MIL will more than likely get annoyed but I don't want to let that overrule my own feelings. I was hoping to receive some support in that decision, so thank you : )

How about you do both? I mean, who can't help having lots of photos of their newborn right? I only wish we had got much more pics than we did but my ds was in hospital for the first 5 weeks of his life, a bit hard to be taking too many pics with a camera flashing every 5 secs in his face & especially with all the other newborns there. (got lots when he came but!) laugh
So why not get the best of both professional photos? Let your MIL take some beautiful pics her way and the newborn photographer their way. This way you'll have different pictures captured in ways the other may not have captured.....and everyone's happy! Good luck hey smile

Thank you so much for your reply! I feel perfectly happy asking both to do some photography shots. MIL will more than likely get annoyed but I don't want to let that overrule my own feelings. I was hoping to receive some support in that decision, so thank you : )

if your really passionate about the other photographer I would do both and tell your MIL that it was a gift from work/friends etc for the other place, and that you didn't want her to miss the opportunity of taking her grandchilds first photos but also you don't want to insult the people who gave you the photos as a present.

Thank you so much for your reply! I feel perfectly happy asking both to do some photography shots. MIL will more than likely get annoyed but I don't want to let that overrule my own feelings. I was hoping to receive some support in that decision, so thank you : )

I'm so happy if you do both.....if MIL gets annoyed just remember, at the end of the day, this is your bub, your special time, your special memories, your special everything with that you, dh and your new bub will cherish for a long time to come smile you can't make everyone happy I know, so remember you the soon to be mummy and daddy and bubby all come first smile smile