Jan 16, 2025 | By: Sandra Burns - September Blue Photography
Shopping for a newborn photographer can get a little confusing and overwhelming. There are so many options out there, so many styles and at so many different price points.
To make the decision even harder, we are talking about selecting the person who will be handling your precious new little bundle, just a few days old. Not only will she (or he) be rocking, shushing and swaddling your newborn, she will be capturing the photos that will document those first few days of your baby’s life forever.
A newborn session should ideally take place during the first 2 weeks of baby’s life so you do have a finite amount of time to capture your baby’s newness. Much like your wedding day, this is an experience that you only get one (maybe two) shots at.
What do you like about it? Is it her use of color, is it a specific prop or use of certain props?
For example, do you like when a photographer uses animal hats in newborn photography?
Do you like when there are a lot of objects and/or an elaborately designed sets? Or is your style more timeless and subtle? Do you love clean, simple images where story in the image is more about baby? Do you prefer lifestyle newborn photography where there is less posing and more interaction or candid captures?
What do you like about it? Is it her use of color, is it a specific prop or use of certain props? For example, do you like when a photographer uses animal hats in newborn photography? Do you like when there are a lot of objects and/or an elaborately designed sets? Or is your style more timeless and subtle? Do you love clean, simple images where story in the image is more about baby? Do you prefer lifestyle newborn photography where there is less posing and more interaction or candid captures?
An important thing to think about as you view a photographer’s portfolios is – can I see this image hanging on my wall? That begs the question and brings us to #2:
Have you stopped to think about how you would like to enjoy, view, & share your baby’s photos? Not just 2 weeks after your session, but way further into the future. Do you envision a newborn photo hanging in your baby’s nursery? Or on a family portrait wall that grows with your family?
Or, do you see your kindergartner one day thumbing through a beautiful keepsake album? Digital files are pretty much a given these days, but your baby’s newborn session is a very important milestone that you may consider to be conceivably even more important than your wedding photos.
So, it makes sense that you think about albums and prints just as you did with your wedding photos.
Once you begin your search for a newborn photographer, you will realize that you have A TON of choices out there! And that’s a good thing, but it can also be a confusing thing.
You are about to hand over your newborn baby, just a few days old to this person for several hours. You definitely want to find someone who is comfortable working with newborns and who has photographed plenty of them.
Look at their website, Instagram and Facebook pages. What do they post the most of? Is it weddings, is it families, is it boudoir? If another photography genre dominates her portfolio, s/he may not have quite as much experience soothing, burping, rocking and posing newborns as a photographer who specializes in newborns. Another consideration is how long the photographer has been in business.
This can also give you a hint as to how much experience a photographer has handling babies.
A newborn photography session is typically a significant investment, regardless of your budget. The photos you will have after your session will be irreplaceable and will document a major milestone in your life and in your baby’s life.
You’ll be sharing them with friends and family for years to come. And, one day, your little one will be looking back on those photos of his/her family in its infancy.
So, take some time and start researching your newborn photographer early. That’s a bonus tip – many photographers book several months in advance for newborn sessions. Starting your research at the beginning of your 2nd trimester will give you plenty of time to also consider a booking maternity session.
Keep in mind these 4 tips when booking a newborn photographer and you are sure to find a newborn photographer that will deliver more than just a great experience, but also beautiful newborn photos that you will treasure for a lifetime.
(This article was originally posted on my old blog site HERE IN 2019.)
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