Newborn Photographer
What do you look for when hiring a newborn photographer?
Congratulations! Expecting a child is undoubtedly the most overwhelming time in your life and you must have a million questions about newborn photography. If this is your first baby – or maybe the first time you’ve considered professional newborn portraits – you may have questions as to what you should be looking for when you’re ready to hire a newborn photographer.
Safety and Experience
I personally believe the most important thing to consider when making your selection is safety. When it comes to your brand-new baby, you’ll want to make sure to research! Knowing how to safely handle and pose a baby takes time, training and hands on experience.
Your newborn photographer should be able to guide you on some of the basics and help you understand what you can expect from your newborn photoshoot. An experienced photographer will be able to recommend the best age to photograph your newborn.
Don’t be afraid to ask your photographer questions about their experience. Be sure your photographer is comfortable and trained in working with newborns. There are so many factors that go into a session that an inexperienced newborn photographer will miss. Ensuring that your photographer knows how to create a comfortable and safe environment for baby and parents is priority.
Posing and Composites
If posed newborn sessions are important to you, but you’re still not sure what to look for or how to choose a newborn photographer – ask about composites. This is huge. When hiring a newborn photographer, be sure they are trained in safely and properly posing babies. So many of those Pinterest poses you see are composite shots, or 2 images that have been merged together in Photoshop. Hands are on the baby the entire time to ensure safety of the baby first. A good newborn photographer will never sacrifice safety for a pose or force a baby into a pose that causes obvious discomfort.
Every baby is different – some like to lay on their bellies, while others prefer to be on their backs. Some want nothing to do with being naked and would rather a nice snug swaddle. Some want their hands by their faces at all times and others are super laid back and relaxed. As a newborn photographer, you really never know what that baby’s temperament is going to be like until they walk through the door.
Photographing images separately and then merging in photoshop ensures babies safety.
Book Early
The best time to book your newborn photographer is while you are pregnant. As a mom of four, I understand that due dates are rarely right on time. Your photographer should be flexible around your due date and then schedule an official date after baby’s arrival. Most newborn photographers will recommend having your session 3-14 days new. During this time they are more flexible to hold those cute and curly poses.
Pricing
Please don’t let price be the deciding factor when it comes to choosing a newborn photographer. The saying goes, you get what you pay for. The photographer with the proper gear, education and experience will likely cost more. Take time to review what they offer for their price. Will you receive digitals only? Do they offer artwork? When you look at your photos in 5+ years, are you going to regret not having gone with the work you loved the most?
Newborn wraps, headbands, outfit, blankets, and stand.
I hope that this information helps you in deciding whether or not to hire a newborn photographer for this monumental moment in your families life. If you would like more information with my newborn sessions, send me an email and I would be happy to chat more!
