CONGRATS! Your life is about to get a whole lot sweeter (and challenging)! You’ve landed here because you’re looking at hiring a newborn photographer to freeze time for you.
Searching for a photographer- an artist – to create something custom and unique for you can be overwhelming. Every photographer offers different skill and experience levels as well as a unique style of their own. I’m making it simple and breaking down 5 things to look for when hiring your newborn photographer.
Session Type
Be sure that the photographer you’re looking for offers the type of session that suits your style. There are 3 different types of newborn sessions- Fresh 48, lifestyle and posed.
Fresh 48 newborn sessions are done within 48 hours of birth. These sessions take a documentary-style approach. The goal is to document all those tiny fresh details and life as a new family.
Lifestyle newborn sessions are done in the comfort of your own home. These are laid-back sessions to document your interaction with your new babe.
Posed newborn sessions are those perfectly styled and coordinated sessions that usually occur when your baby is between 6-14 days old and can take anywhere from 2-4 hours.
You can read more about the different types of newborn sessions here. Just be sure that whatever style you’re going for, the photographer specializes in it. There have been times when people hire me expecting a lifestyle newborn session and it’s just not something I offer.
Style
When looking at a photographer’s portfolio, look at both the shooting style and the editing style.
Can you imagine your family in the images? Does the photographer’s style reflect your own style? Would you hang those images on your wall?
My specific style is natural, organic, and warm with lots of earthy and neutral tones. I’ve had lots of clients book me that will tell me they want pastel colors and an overall light and airy vibe. As much as I want to make sure all of my clients are completely satisfied with their images, I won’t change my shooting style or editing style. It’s the client’s job to make sure they review the photographer’s portfolio to be sure their styles mesh seamlessly.
Experience
Your newborn is only this small once. You can’t get this time back, so when looking to invest in a newborn photographer, it’s important you hire someone who has the experience and knows how to photograph this once-in-a-lifetime moment.
A professional comes with the knowledge and experience to be able to manage different lighting situations- if your location is too dark or too bright, being able to manage space issues by switching out to the proper lenses, having the right equipment and props, knowing how to handle newborns safely, knowing how to photograph postpartum and sometimes self-conscious mamas, knowing the best time of day to photograph children and babies in order to avoid meltdowns, and knowing how to edit a newborn’s problematic skin. These are some of the benefits of hiring an experienced newborn photographer.
Safety
When it comes to your brand new baby, you SHOULDN’T trust just anyone.
Posed newborn photography can be dangerous if your baby isn’t positioned and posed properly. Knowing how to safely handle and pose a baby takes time, training, and hands-on experience. I’ve taken numerous workshops to ensure your baby is safe.
There are so many trends in photography and a visit to Pinterest can show babies in some unsafe situations. You know, that popular but unnatural pose of baby holding their head up with their hands? Well, that takes three different photos to make one beautiful photo. Baby’s safety is always my number one priority.
Pricing
Remember that phrase “you get what you pay for”? Well, it is so relevant when it comes to newborn photography. Do you want the more skilled and experienced photographer or the one who is just starting out and has little to no skill working with your brand new baby?
Photographers are all priced very differently – it ranges depending on the costs of doing business, insurance, the service they offer, the level of experience they have, the kind of equipment they use and the quality of their products.
Be sure to find out what you are getting for your investment. Will you only receive digital images? Do they offer prints, albums or wall art? Do you have to provide anything for the session? Is there a hairstylist and/or makeup artist they work with? These are all things to consider when going over price and what you want/can spend.
Set realistic expectations and understand that for a photographer you absolutely love, you may have to save up for a while and that’s totally ok! This is why you should begin your search early!
And remember, stop asking for those photographers that “doesn’t cost an arm & a leg”. Set your budget. Your “expensive” may be cheap to someone else.
Hiring a newborn photographer is a big investment. Take the time to look through several newborn photographers’ portfolios and find the one that suits your needs perfectly.
For more information on my newborn sessions, fill out a contact form or email me at melanie@melanieamparo.com
I can’t wait to work with you!
