Top 12 Questions to Ask a Newborn Photographer
Newborn Photography Session Tips in Elk Grove, CA.
Whether you’re a brand-new mom hoping to capture your baby’s first few days of life, or a seasoned mom who regrets not hiring a professional photographer with your previous children- if you’re reading this, you’re probably considering hiring a photographer for newborn photos!
Expecting a baby is very exciting and there is so much to look forward to. Deciding to do a newborn portraits session is one of those things. However, the process of finding and selecting a photographer can also be very overwhelming. As you start out you may be unsure of who to hire or where to go. Maybe you have seen images on Pinterest and want something similar but don’t know where to start. What if you find a newborn photographer and hire them only to find out that they don’t offer what you are hoping for or they aren’t up to date with safety, etc.
As a newborn photographer I have had the opportunity over the years to speak with lots of parents of newborns and I’ve come to realize that so many didn’t really understand the process or know what to ask to make sure they were comfortable with their newborn photographer. Before ever deciding on a newborn photographer, I believe there are some questions that should be asked before ever booking a session.
Some photographers will have FAQs on their website or in a welcome guide that might answer a lot of these types of questions. If you don’t see the answers to your questions, then it is important to ask them during the consultation part of the process. My biggest piece of advice for hiring a newborn photographer is to please not book a photographer solely because they are the cheapest in the area. It is incredibly important to ask questions, be informed of the process, and be able to trust the person you are hiring who will be handling your fragile newborn. Below are the top questions I have been asked by perspective parents and ones I feel are important in making a decision on who should be your newborn photographer.
1. Do you have safety training with handling newborns?
This is the most important question you can ask any photographer that you may be considering for your newborn portrait session. Newborn photography requires specialized training, and you don't want to trust just anyone with a camera when it comes to your new little one. You want to hire someone who has in-depth training and who knows how to safely handle and pose a newborn. Posing a newborn safely is much different than handling a newborn in your day-to-day life at home. Positioning babies safely in all those cute poses takes skill and training. There are many opportunities for newborn photographers to learn and invest in these skills and training, both in person and online. I have done a variety of workshops and even mentored under one of the nation’s top newborn photographers, Ana Brandt. I continue my newborn education every year with newborn workshops, courses, and training. The safety of your newborn is always more important than a cute pose every single time.
2. What precautions do you take to keep the baby safe and comfortable?
As mentioned above your baby’s safety is going to be a top priority for you and it should also be the top priority of your newborn photographer. You want someone who is taking every precaution to keep your baby safe and comfortable. This includes things like weighting the bottom of baskets to prevent tipping, using an assistant, never leaving baby unattended or not within arm’s reach, posing baby in positions that don’t strain joints or muscles, heating the space to keep baby cozy, and more!
3. Do you have an assistant?
I personally believe in having an assistant who can keep an eye (and hand) on a baby when I must look away to switch lenses or grab a prop, etc. I have an amazing, trained assistant with me for all sessions.
4. Is the studio area sanitized between sessions?
With their brand new, fragile immune systems, it is of the utmost importance that sanitization measures are taken and all professionals working with babies are in good health and the studio is clean. At my in-home studio, every hard surface is disinfected before a session and every fabric and soft prop is sanitized as well. I remove my rings and always wash my hands before sessions, in addition to keeping hand sanitizer nearby before touching the baby. Though it can sometimes be a bit of an inconvenience for clients, I will reschedule a session if I’m not in perfect health. Babies’ safety is most important to me!
5. Is your business insured? Are you a legal business?
Heaven forbid anything were to happen accidentally during a session- you need to be working with someone who is covered. My in-home studio is insured with business insurance so you can have peace of mind going into the location and the session. I also believe it’s worth noting that I am a legal, tax paying sole proprietorship.
6. What happens during a newborn session and how long is it?
There's nothing more stressful than becoming a new parent. There are so many unknowns in the first few weeks, which is why I like to prep moms and dads ahead of time for their newborn session so that they know exactly what to expect. My newborn sessions typically last two to three hours and you can read more about what to expect from start to finish here.
7. Do you have a newborn session prep guide?
You should have good communication with your photographer every step of the way. When a perspective mom or dad reaches out to me about a newborn session, I send them a welcome guide that has information on how the booking process works, what to expect before, during, and after their newborn session, as well as FAQs about newborn session. Once a parent has booked their session, I send them a link to my newborn prep guide that has tips on what to expect, what to do ahead of time, how to prep for the session, what to bring to the session, etc. I even include a downloadable checklist so parents can use it to make sure they are fully ready for their newborn’s portrait session.
8. What happens if the baby cries or won’t settle?
Babies cry! It isn’t if they will cry, but when they will cry. It happens. As newborn photographers we can’t really control what these tiny little humans will do during their session. Newborns operate on their own schedule and sometimes, no matter what we do or how hard we try, they are wide awake and hesitant to be posed or handled. While we may not be able to control them, there are a lot of things we can do that help keep a baby calm during their session and can help keep a newborn session on track. Experienced newborn photographers will know how to soothe the baby such as swaddling the baby, playing white noise, using a shusher, bouncing the baby on a yoga ball, turning up the heat, and more. One of the biggest tips for moms is to stay calm when the baby gets fussy. Stressed moms provoke stressed babies and we don’t want that! So, stay calm and make sure you follow all the preparation instructions that your photographer has recommended. While the baby is settling it is a good opportunity to capture them while they are awake. I love a good awake newborn portrait and it is important to capture their wide variety of expressions. If for some reason baby is inconsolable, we will discuss rescheduling the session.
9. Is family posing included?
Some photographers specialize in newborns and prefer not to include parents and siblings in the session. Others may include families but charge extra for each additional person. It’s always a good idea to clarify this with your newborn photographer. Because I use my in-home studio area, the space is tight. However, I can always include a sibling or two and up-close images of parents and baby.
10. Do you do posed or natural portraits?
Each photographer has his/her own style so it’s important that you research and look at the portfolio in advance to make sure this particular style is in line with your expectations. Natural portraits tend to have a realistic side to them, a “lifestyle” look, if you will. These sessions are usually done in your home and are a little bit more relaxed with a natural feel with the posing that captures some moments of the baby and new family in their own way. “Posed” newborn photos are typically done in a studio, using a beanbag and props for posing the baby and features a variety of blankets, hats, headbands, wraps, etc. Typically, most of the photos will be of the baby posed alone. I love both styles but chose to focus on posed portraits for my business. Consider which you would like best and ask your potential photographer if they share your vision.
11. How long will it take to see my final images?
The turnaround time for your final photos can vary by photographer. I have heard stories of families having to wait 2-3 months after having a photo session before being shown their baby photos. That, in my opinion, is way too long. I personally like to get some sneak peeks to my clients the day after their session. Then my goal is to get them their gallery of images within 2 weeks of their session. Depending on what print products they order, can determine when they receive the final product. There is time for selecting and ordering and labs are different depending on if you are ordering just regular sized prints, albums, books, canvases, etc.
Each photographer has their own time frame, and that’s okay, but it’s important for you to be clear on this before you choose the photographer, so your expectations are aligned with the reality of the situation. If you need to rush the order for birth announcements, let them know in advance so they can do their best to get everything ready for you to give to your family members. Communication is key!
12. What is included in the price?
This is going to be different for every photographer. As you may already have noticed, hiring a newborn photographer isn’t cheap. You should expect to pay a couple hundred dollars at a minimum and higher with most high-quality photographers. Some photographers charge one set base fee with the option to upgrade. Others have a session fee that covers their time only, and you have the flexibility to purchase only the images you love after the session. Some have package options. Which package you choose determines what type of product you’ll receive. Some only sell digital files, others only sell prints. You must ask yourself what matters most to you- do you just want to put images on Facebook? Or do you want a beautiful, finished product to show off in your home? Will you require a payment plan and is that an option with your photographer? These are all things to consider.
I realize that everyone has a budget in mind when scheduling their portrait session. However, I also believe that you shouldn't choose your newborn photographer based on price alone. These are memories that you are going to cherish for the rest of your life and the birth of your child is one of the most important milestones your family will ever celebrate. Make sure you are in love with the photographer’s work and would be happy displaying similar images in your home. There’s something to be said for a higher quality, luxury service that leaves new parents feeling totally confident in the experience and final product they’re investing in. You want your portraits to reflect that and you want your printed products to stay the test of time so that you can pass these keepsakes down to your child one day when they are grown.
I offer a few different newborn packages that includes the session, digital images, and prints. I also offer additional products such as customized newborn announcements, brag books, large prints and canvases, and coffee table books. I create a personalized online gallery where you can select your images in the comfort of your own home. I have a gallery guide that gives detailed instructions on selecting and ordering your products. But more importantly, I’m available to guide and assist in whatever way you need me. I can help you select your favorite images, decide which images look good together in a collage, help create an album, etc. You will never be alone in this process. I try to make it as easy and painless as possible.
After getting the answers to your questions ultimately you need to make sure you choose a photographer whose style you love. Look carefully at their work and see if you can imagine it hanging in your home. Learn about the services they provide, and the products they will create for you. Think about the ways they can make your life easier as a new parent when it comes to enjoying your portraits.
Are you expecting a little one? Reach out today and let's chat about how I can create a memorable newborn portrait experience for your family.
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