The pregnant wedding photographer

My apologies if this is the wrong section. My fiancee and I will be getting married in a few months. Our wedding photographer just announced today that she is 16 weeks pregnant with her first child, meaning she will be about 6.5 months pregnant when she shoots our wedding. While we are very happy for her and her family, we find ourselves wondering if she will be able to handle an eight hour day on her feet. We have yet to speak with her about this, but wanted to see if others had experience in this area.

Our assistant got pregnant this year. We did not let her work for the final trimester. Too much on her feet time, didnt want her picking up a heavy stand, i just didnt want her to do anything that could cause her any problems with the baby. I was worried and didnt want her to feel obligated so we asked her to step back and just work on the baby.....I get my ass physically handed to me after a 10 hours day so i cant imagine being pregnant and trying to get it done

they're all different. I'd think at 4 months everything should be just fine. They tend to get quite tired that 2nd-3rd month as their body starts to change, but by 4 most are adjusted and fine. My wife is due in 3 weeks and she's still putting in 10-12 hour days regularly and I she's been in her office every weekend but one since finding out she was pregnant trying to get everything done before her leave. I honestly don't know how she does it, i come home and i'm tired, she comes home, crashes for an hour and then is back up and at it for a few hours at home too.

I forgot to mention, she does have a second shooter as well.

Isn't this her 'problem' if you picked her and you're happy with her professionalism, she's going to make sure she delivers.

I don't go round the world making sure I'm not being served by pregnant ladies, if they're not fit to work they'll be at home. If they're out at work, it's up to them and their employer to make sure they're delivering.

She may lean on her 2nd for more than usual, she may bring in an assistant, she might be fine, or she might have to back out. But that's her business.

She doesn't do weddings but didn't Lisa Holloway photograph up to 8 months or so? Mind you her's was number 10 so it may get easier.

Phil V wrote in post #16534323
.... she might be fine, or she might have to back out. But that's her business.

Not necessarily... it will be the OP's business if he has to find a last minute replacement.

seres wrote in post #16534485
Not necessarily... it will be the OP's business if he has to find a last minute replacement.

It'll be covered in the contract that already exists.

The OP has 2 choices, trust the person he hired, or break the contract to cover his own butt.

I second shot for a pregnant photographer a few years ago. Her belly was pretty big...probably AT LEAST 6-7 months in. She did fine, but I carried the heavy stuff and helped her out a lot like setting up the lights, etc. She paid me very well for it. I even drove her home rather than her taking a cab home with all the gear.

Any photographer you hire could have a reason not to be able to work on the wedding day (flu, broken leg, etc.). Most professionals will have a Plan B. They might have an arrangement with another photographer to cover for each other in the event of a problem.

The fact that she is pregnant (and knows it) gives her lots of time to have contingency plans for all her jobs around the time of the due date. You don't get that sort of notice with the flu!

You could ask her if she has a back up plan - but then you should do this for all photographers (and other contractors) not just the pregnant ones.

Lastblackdog wrote in post #16536183
Most professionals will have a Plan B.

OP's obviously didn't.

flowrider wrote in post #16534483
She doesn't do weddings but didn't Lisa Holloway photograph up to 8 months or so? Mind you her's was number 10 so it may get easier.

"she doesn't do weddings" is the key word here: it's a different animal.

fontanka wrote in post #16536775
"she doesn't do weddings" is the key word here: it's a different animal.

I realize that which is why I prefaced it with that.

Hai-oh !

cdifoto wrote in post #16536196
OP's obviously didn't.

I'd think at 6 months she'll be fine. It doesn't start getting really uncomfortable until the last month or so. I was still doing photo sessions (even chasing toddlers through the sticks) at 8 months. Granted, it's not a wedding, but just putting it out there. Pregnancy does not automatically equate to bed-ridden and incapable of completing a job.