Choosing a Newborn Photographer
With parenthood comes lots of decisions to be made from deciding whether to find out the babies gender, picking the name, designing the nursery and all the choices of prams, cots, nappies, bottles, clothes in between.
Choosing whether to have a newborn photo shoot and subsequently choosing the photographer is a very personal choice but it doesn’t need to be difficult. Those first few days, weeks, months and the first year of your babies life is precious with moments you will want to treasure forever. Capturing those moments in time will not be something you will regret but how you go about doing it is your choice to make.
Having become a parent for the first time a few years ago myself I know that it can be very overwhelming at times, with lots to think about, lots to decide and priorities to make. But my key piece of advice would be to think about how you want to look back on that time and to me that means with no regrets or thoughts of ‘I wish I had…..’.
As proud as I am of the photos I took of my daughter as a newborn I also wish I had had professional photos taken. Everything that I am putting into my business now is all through personal experience and things I have come to learn and realise in time I wish I had done or considered in my daughters first year. But don’t worry, if like me you are reading this blog now with a toddler, no one said photo shoots, cake smashes or birthday party photos are just for those turning 1.
Here are some tips and things to help you decide;
What a photographer can do
Taking photos of your newborn child is something we all look forward to doing and always want to share. But sometimes our expectations and reality don’t always match. A newborn photographer can help make this happen through a newborn photoshoot by taking the pressure off you in those earlier days and weeks of having a newborn. You can have them come to your home, book the photoshoot weeks or months in advance, tell them what sort of photos you would like and then you sit and watch them make it happen. A newborn photographer can also provide photo ideas, props, wraps and encourage you to get in front of the lens in a way that you feel comfortable. This is their job, what they’ve trained for, their passion and they want nothing more than to deliver the photos you desire. They are there for you and your family.
Home vs studio
A newborn photoshoot carried out by a newborn photographer can usually take place in either your home or at the photographers studio. Depending on the photographers set up you may be able to choose the location, others may only have one option. For some this could be a deciding factor.
A photoshoot at home could be more comfortable for you and baby. You don’t need to pack a bag or load anything into a car, just stay at home where you have everything to hand. Your photographer will bring everything to you however this does mean you will need to have some space to do this and will limit the props and accessories they can bring. Most photographers will have worked in a wide variety of spaces so will adapted easily to a given space. This also gives you the opportunity to have lifestyle photos in your home.
Choosing to visit a photographers studio has many plus points to. You will have full choice of the photographers props and accessories and don’t need to think about clearing a space or tidying up before they arrive. Their studio will be set up to cater for the needs of their clients, new parents, so they will make you all as comfortable as possible and advise you on what to bring.
Any and all photographers doing a newborn photoshoot will always have you and your baby at the centre of what they do and will only want to make you feel comfortable. This will not only give you a joyous experience but help the photographer to get the photos you would like.
Photo style
Every photographer will have their own photography style, from newborn poses, to props, backgrounds, lighting and editing. It’s important when choosing your photographer that you like their final style of photographs. Look around, check out social media, find people’s portfolios to figure out what you like. Always remember these are your photos and something you will treasure forever, you want and deserve for them to be perfect for you.
Pricing
There is no set price, average or approximate figure for a newborn photoshoot. Prices will be set by the photographer based on their expenses, time, experience, equipment and what is included in their newborn photoshoot package. Some photographers have a flat rate which will include the photoshoot and an agreed amount of images. Others will have a shoot fee and then photo packages for you to choose from to select the amount and potential format that you would like to receive your photos in.
Have a figure in mind as to what you would like to spend and compare several photographers in your area. A simple google search of ‘newborn photography near me’ should do the trick.
What’s included
When comparing prices make sure you also compare what’s included.
Like with pricing each photographer will offer a different amount of photos in different formats as part of their price. Some may offer digital images only whilst others may offer a number of prints along with the digital images, large prints or even canvases.
Length of time of a photoshoot could also vary though the average for a newborn shoot is usually around 2-3 hours.
Likewise some photographers may limit the amount of props or outfits that can be used and the turn around time on which the photos are ready will also be photographer specific
Check out my photography packages here as examples -
Newborn Photoshoot
Baby Photoshoot
Cake Smash Photoshoot
Birthday Party Photoshoot
Dates available, Area covered
Don’t forget the more minor details either
How far in advance do you need to book a certain photographer
What dates and times do they have available
What area do they cover
Is a deposit required?
Small things but they could make a difference.
Loyalty schemes and discounts
Final point and I’ll make it quick. If you’re part of any baby groups, classes or nurseries check with other parents and the group facilitators if they can recommend any photographers as sometimes photographers will give out discount codes or give previous clients referral codes to pass onto others.
I hope this post had been useful. I am by no means an expect but I am just purely speaking based on personal experience as a parent and having recently started Bloom, Blossom and Blush Photography. Throughout it all keep you, your baby and your family at the forefront of what you do and the decisions you make.
