Newborn Photoshoot: Everything you Need to Know About Choosing a Photographer

If you are like most parents, you will want to commemorate the arrival of your newborn baby with a professional photoshoot. This is a wonderful way to capture your child’s earliest moments and create memories that will last a lifetime. But with so many photographers out there, how do you know which one to choose? For more information on our services (and nice pictures) click here

A newborn photo shoot with a professional photographer is one of the best decisions you can make as a parent. It helps capture those first few weeks after your baby’s birth which are fleeting and precious, so don’t miss out on this opportunity! With these tips for choosing a newborn photographer, it will be easier than ever before to find one.

Being flexible about the date

The photography session can be scheduled whenever is convenient for both parties so you should choose a time that suits you best.  If possible, make contact with the photographer prior to the birth and make a provisional booking.

Your photographer will be flexible to work around the birth date as we all know, babies are never born when expected! however, the earlier the better and we recommend the photo session take place within the first 10 to 14 days if possible.

The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with them so make sure they’re someone whom you trust and like their portfolio of work. If possible, ask friends who have had their newborn photographed by this person or for recommendations because it’s always better for you, if that’s not an option, check out their Google reviews.

Check out all the prices

It is also important to peruse a price list before you book. Most photographers will have a session fee to cover the actual newborn photoshoot and a separate price list for the image packages. This will give you a better idea of what to expect in terms of cost when all is said and done, so make sure you know what this looks like before booking your newborn baby photoshoot.

Once you have found the photographer and booked your appointment, it’s time to prepare for the actual newborn baby photoshoot! Here are some general ideas, not rules.

You need to allow sufficient time for the photoshoot. This can vary from photographer to photographer. But newborn photoshoots can easily take up to three hours. So make sure you have plenty of time on your hands the day of the shoot.

Don’t feed baby right before leaving for the session, but don’t show up when he’s starving either! It is best to come about 15-30 minutes after feeding and they should be nice and sleepy. Sleep is the key so bring some backup milk supplies!

A word about props

The photographer will more than likely have a lot of props and poses in mind, but it is always great to bring a few things from home that are special to you. This could be anything from the baby’s blanket to their favourite toy. Just make sure everything is wiped down or sanitized before using it in the shoot.

One thing to be aware of is that the photo studio will be very warm, no matter what month of the year so please dress accordingly. You will want to make sure you are comfortable and not too hot, but also dress in something that makes sense for whatever photos the photographer has planned.

If you planning to have photos with the baby, and you should, feel free to bring a separate clothes bag for yourself to change into.

Preparing yourself is just as important as preparing the baby! If possible, try to get some rest beforehand so your energy levels are high and have a good breakfast or lunch before arriving.  Tea, coffee and cold bottled water will be available; however, you are welcome to bring your own drinks if you wish.

The photographer will have a plan for the shoot, so be sure to listen and follow their instructions. They will most likely want you to hold the baby in certain positions and capture different expressions so it is best to cooperate with them. If there are any concerns or questions that come up during the shoot please do not hesitate to ask!

Parents and Siblings can be part of the occasion

It’s always nice for parents and siblings to have a picture taken with the new arrival but often the photographer may require different arrival times for each party so please check and plan ahead.

It’s important to have realistic expectations for a newborn photo shoot. The baby is likely to be sleepy and may not cooperate for very long, so don’t worry if the shoot doesn’t last too long. Most importantly, enjoy this special time with your new little one!

One last thing, it’s always a good idea to bring a pacifier to the studio just for the photoshoot even if you don’t have any long-term plans to use them. A dummy can save lots of time and settle the baby during the session, even if it is never used again.

Your Downloadable Images

After the shoot, you will receive some images to view and decide which ones you wish to keep and purchase. Some photographers do this online and others will ask you to make the viewing back at the photo studio. If you have a preference, you should make this known before you book.

Most photographers these days offer a digital package as well as prints. The digital package will usually include high-resolution images of all the photos taken during the session, so you can do whatever you like with them – print them off, put them in an album or have them framed.

Some will also offer you low-resolution digital images too, this is great if you want to be able to show your pictures off on social media or add them to your phone screen saver.

At Steve Lowrey Photography we offer both.

Your photographer may have their own recommended suppliers for prints, canvases and frames. They will be happy to help you choose the right size photos for your wall space or put an album together that suits your needs or budget. Photographers often get special rates from these places so it can work out cheaper than if you try to do it yourself.

On the whole, photographers are friendly and will be happy to chat with you about any concerns or requests you may have.

For more information click here