So I know I post a lot about the prices you pay for a photographer, really your investment in your images.  I am going to try to avoid talking too much about price here, but really what qualities you need to look for in a newborn photographer, somethings will pertain to other types of portrait photographers too, but I am focusing on Newborn photographers right now.

First and foremost you need to find a photographer who KNOWS safety!! What is safety in Newborn photography you ask?  It’s knowing that many of those super cute images,  like the baby with their heads in their hands (called the froggy pose), or the baby all wrapped cute sitting straight up, or placing a baby in a prop, and many more are composite images.  Meaning the photographer took several shots with mom or dad or an assistant holding the baby, or the baby was supported with a bean bag or on a beanbag (they have special bean bags for newborn photography) These images are then layered together and the people supporting the baby are removed in Photoshop.

Having mom or dad or an assistant there next to baby at all times is important for the baby’s safety.

you want someone who has studied how to pose a newborn, I am not saying that you have to have someone who has been shooting for years and years because we all start somewhere.  You want someone though that has perhaps worked and interned with another skilled Newborn photographer, or has studied newborn photography with online classes to understand how to get the best light, and how to get poses that are cute and work with baby.

Make sure that your photographer has a very warm studio if they plan to do the cute naked baby pictures, yes, you will probably be hot and your photographer will probably be sweating by the end of the session (and they will probably be dressed in a tank top and yoga pants… don’t judge ha ha)  but it is more important that the baby is comfy, especially if they are not wearing a lot of clothing, as a newborn they can’t regulate their own temps yet and need to be in a warm environment.  I have a small heater for my studio and a few  thermometers around the studio so that when I have a newborn I can maintain the temp around the baby at about 78˚f, this usually makes for a happy sleepy baby.

Be prepared that most Newborn sessions take 2-3 hours, because we move slowly with the baby to try to keep them asleep, we also allot time for feeding and diaper changes when you are quoted 2-3 hours.  We are on the Baby’s schedule.

Most of what I have talked about was with a studio shoot in mind, BUT even if you hire a lifestyle newborn photographer, they still need to follow safety steps to keep your baby safe.

When I started with Newborn photography I was NOT good, I didn’t know anything, but I took what people told me and took classes and have come to a place where I advocate for having a photographer who knows what they are doing. I am also still learning, I will never stop learning and growing.  Don’t be afraid to ask the photographer questions.  I want the public to be educated so that eventually ALL Newborn photographers take the time to learn how to do Newborn photography is a safe and happy way.

~Go, Do, Be Inspired