How To Choose your Newborn Photographer
The first time you cradle your newborn baby in your arms is a special moment. From their miniature feet to their tiny little fingers, it’s an image to treasure forever.
Of course, they don’t stay that size for long. So, before time passes by, it’s worth capturing the moment in the most magical way possible, by enlisting the help of a professional newborn photographer.
How To Choose A Newborn Photographer
If you are thinking of having a newborn photo shoot then here are some key things to consider and think about when it comes to choosing your newborn photographer.
Where to Start?
You’ve seen them on Instagram, in magazines and hanging in your friend’s houses; newborn baby photographs can range from creative shots to intimate family moments, and all that’s in between.
They usually take place in a studio, where they are beautifully lit with a selection of newborn photography props to hand.
Newborn photography is a specialist skill, requiring; patience, creativity, sensitivity, the right safety measures and the technical know-how. Which is why it’s important to use a reliable and experienced photographer.
A dedicated baby photography website is a great place to start. Here you can search through a catalogue of trusted and approved professionals in your area, with a proven track record.
Safety First
But first, it’s important to emphasis safety when it comes to your precious little one. Professional newborn photographers should have undertaken training on how to hold and support a newborn baby. This is especially important when moving them in to certain positions and angles.
Before booking a photographer, ask them what experience and qualifications they hold. If using a photography website, this is often shown on their profile for reassurance.
Nonetheless, if at any point during a shoot you feel uncomfortable, never hesitate to ask them to stop – you know your baby best.
It’s all in the Timing
Newborn baby photography is growing in popularity, so it’s a good idea to book your session as early as possible; ideally a few weeks in advance. That said, this can be challenging with ever moving due dates, so it’s best to keep an open dialogue with your photographer. They will be used to it!
Newborn sessions are best taken in the very early days; as early as a few days old, and no later than two months of age.
The length of your photo shoot will depend on a number of factors, including style and location. Generally speaking though, expect it to last from a few hours to half a day.
What to look for in a Newborn Photographer
When it comes to booking a newborn photographer, there’s a number of factors you should to take in to account.
Experience: It’s important to feel confident with your choice of photographer, and a professional will instantly put you at ease. This tends to come with experience, so seek out a photographer that has proven industry record and qualifications too.
Style: Social media and personal websites are a great way to see a photographer’s style in advance. This can be particularly helpful if you’re looking to achieve a certain look.
Reputation: Viewing feedback from other clients is a helpful way to check suitability. This can be found on profiles, websites and social media profiles. A quick look should put you at ease.
Location: Most newborn photographers will work out of a studio, but some will go on location too. If you have a particular idea in mind, discuss this at the early stages with them.
Cost: When considering your photographer, ask for package costs, what it includes and expected delivery dates for photos.
Insurance: You may want to check if your photographer has any insurance, in the unlikely event that something was to happen.
Different Styles of Newborn Photography
You might already have an idea of what images you want to capture on your photo shoot. If so, bring along any cuttings or examples to help steer your photographer.
If you’re unsure on style and looking for inspiration, here’s some of the more popular styles you could ask for:
Maternity: Before baby even comes along, you may want to capture the beauty of pregnancy in all its glory. Growing in popularity, maternity shoots can be taken in the comfort of your own home, on location, or in a studio, to capture this special snapshot of time.
Creative: Posed newborn photography is a great way to capture the innocence of those early days and should be taken in the first few weeks of life. They often include newborn photography props. A studio session can last two to four hours, since it relies on the baby being in a deep sleep to capture the moment perfectly. From “frog” poses to more traditional resting shots and bundled images, this is a cute and highly stylised approach.
Lifestyle: Growing in demand, lifestyle images are often taken in the comfort of your home. They capture intimate moments between families and babies, as well as individual shots of the newborn. These works well for babies and children of all ages and is less restricted than just newborn shots.
Family: If you have other children and want to include them, a family shot is a special way of showing the love between siblings. You can also choose to have individual images of Mother and baby, which perfectly capture the intimate bond. These can be taken on location, or in a studio.
What to expect
Following your photoshoot, your photographer will compile an edit of the best photos taken from the day. These will be cropped, possibly with some edits, which you usually receive in the next week or so.
Once you have selected your favourite shots, they will likely re-touch these and provide the final selection for you. This is usually in digital format, although you can request them as a photo album, or as prints. Each photographer will have his or her own style and process, which you should agree from the start.
Finally, these images are not usually suitable for baby passport photos. If this is something you require, ask your photographer in advance, as it may require a very different set up.