Newborn Photo Session: Questions to Ask

Newborn photography has matured as a niche industry in recent years, and where once newborn photographers were a rarity; today, the number of newborn photographers around give expectant mums a variety of choices. While most people choose a newborn photographer based on a photographer’s website, there are a few questions worth asking before making a decision. Settling these issues ahead of a newborn photo session will give you peace of mind, which is just as important as an impressive gallery of photographs and a competitive price package.

What should I ask before a newborn photo session?

(This article has recently been updated: 21 June 2015)

Ahead of the newborn photo session…

1. Ask the photographer at what age it is best to photograph newborns.

This is a key question if you want the photographer to capture typical “newborn poses.” At about two weeks of age, newborns tend to experience a growth spurt; they need to eat more and struggle to sleep as contentedly. Between five and ten days of age, your newborn child is still very sleepy, and keeps his or her little arms and legs tucked in—mimicking the time spent in the womb. Ideally, for the best newborn poses, your newborn should be photographed under ten days old. But don’t fret if your newborn bub is older than ten days. An experienced newborn photographer will guide you in terms of what you can expect from newborns at various ages.

2. Ask the photographer whether she’s had training in posing newborns.

This question often separates the professional photographer from the enthusiast. An experienced newborn photographer would have taken advantage of the many workshops available for photographers to perfect the skills involved in posing precious newborn babies.

3. Ask whether the photographer does composites for difficult poses.

Newborn photography is well-known for images like the “head in hands” or “froggy” pose. Images like this require multiple shots that are merged together using digital editing software in post production. In other words, capturing these photographs requires the involvement of a parent or an assistant to hold the baby. Attempting these poses in a single shot is dangerous, and an experienced photographer would not take such as risk.

4. Enquire about what props the photographer uses.

While viewing a photographer’s website will give you an idea of what props she uses, feel free to enquire as to what you can expect from the session. And don’t be afraid to make your requests known. From wraps to blankets, from hats to headbands, the sky’s the limit as long as they are both safe and aesthetically pleasing.

5. Ask the photographer if parents and siblings are included in the session.

Some newborn photographers prefer not to include parents or siblings, while others might do so at an additional cost. Clarifying this issue will ensure you’re not disappointed on the day of the session, and help you prepare accordingly.

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I hope this information helps you in your search. Let me know if I can help in any way.

View the home page to get a sense for all we offer and feel free to have a look at my newborn gallery here. Please bear in mind that it is important to book early to avoid a last-minute rush or lack of availability.