Scheduling Newborn Photography Session Tips
The newborn phase goes by in a blur, you are learning so much about your new baby and trying to find your rhythm as a family. This time can be both equally magical, exhausting, and all-consuming- these are the things that I love about newborn photography. It does go by so quickly, and your baby changes in the blink of an eye. Having these moments documented in a newborn photography session is an easy way to make sure you remember all those tiny details that start to fade with the passage of time. Here are some tips to help you plan your newborn photography session.
- Decide if you want lifestyle, documentary, or studio photography. Lifestyle photography and documentary photography are done in your home and capture your family naturally. The big difference between the two is that lifestyle photography offers some posing help, may include wrapping your baby in a cute swaddle or bonnets, where documentary photography just captures the moments as they unfold. Documentary is a little more gritty, but also more true-to-life. Studio photography will have backdrops, lights, beanbags, are offend done outside the home in a studio, will have your baby often in buckets, baskets, or make use of other props. It is very important that if you choose studio photography that you find a photographer that is well-versed in newborn safety, because a lot of the posing can be unnatural and could hurt the baby if done incorrectly!
- Find a photographer that has a portfolio that matches the type of photos you would like. If you like black and white photos with a lot of contrast and drama, don’t pick a photographer that shows lots of airy color images. Their portfolio is there to guide you in what you can expect with your images.
- Pinterest is fun. Create a board that inspires you and send that to your photographer as a great starting point but don’t expect your photographer to recreate all the images you send.
- Try and book your photographer when you are 35 weeks pregnant. It isn’t always necessary to book that far in advanced, but if you have your heart set on one particular photographer it will increase your odds that they have availability.
- Find out what packages the photographer offers. Do they offer In Person Sales, an online gallery you can look over at your leisure, or only digital files. I personally offer an online gallery that you can look over in your home. I am always available to discuss different option or come to your home to help you choose if you want the extra help!
- Sign a contract that outlines what you can expect from your photographer, and what they require of you as a client.
- The day of the session, if you are doing an in-home newborn photography session, have your main living areas picked up. Remove the clutter and make your bed. These are great tasks to hand-off to friends and family that are asking how they can help you out. Your house doesn’t have to be spotless, so don’t make yourself crazy, no one has time for that.
- If you have younger children you would like included in the session let them know what is happening. I try and start out with sibling photos when they are fresh and more excited to see me there.
- For in-home sessions turn the heat up in your home to help baby relax and be comfortable.
- I like my clients to start feeding their baby when I walk in the door. It helps make for a happy baby and we can spend a little more time getting to know each other and plan out the session.
- Find out what the expected turn around time is for viewing your images. My clients will see all their edited photos in color and black and white in about a week. They then have a week to review the gallery and make the selections.
