How to Choose Your Newborn Photographer

You’re having a baby! Congratulations! Your baby is going to grow and change so quickly and getting newborn pictures done is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Picking the right newborn photographer for you is a big decision. Here are some things to think about when making your choice!

Lifestyle vs Posed Photographer

There are two main approaches to newborn photography. Lifestyle photography documents real life. Typically with a lifestyle newborn session you will get photos of you interacting with your new baby and images of your newborn baby just being a baby. They have a natural feel and often are taken in your own home.

If this is the style you are looking for, I recommend Cincy Birth Stories . They have a fantastic way of telling the story of your family and your newborn!

Posed newborn pictures are a little less “real life” and baby is expertly positioned into poses that accent their adorable tiny features. These images take a lot of finesse and should be done by an experienced photographer that is trained in newborn safety. Posed newborn sessions often include family and sibling images as well as swaddled and unswaddled poses. If you like this style, we may be a great fit for each other!

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In-home vs. Studio Photographer

There are lots of benefits to both types of newborn photographers. In home sessions mean you stay in the comfort of your own home for the entire session. There is no packing a diaper bag or loading everyone into a car. Your photographer will come directly to you!

Studio newborn sessions have loads of benefits too. I have a whole stash of backdrops and wraps and tiny little headbands we can use. That means everything is always within reach during the session and we have access to all the props in my collection. Coming to my private studio also means you don’t have any prep work! No cleaning your home, no picking up big brothers toys that live on the living room floor. You come and put your feet up and let me do all the work! I even keep my studio stocked with diapers and wipes so as long as you bring your baby and your baby’s food source I can take care of everything else.

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Training and Experience

This is a big one! Your newborn is tiny and fragile and it is your job to make sure they are safe. Picking a newborn photographer with the right training and experience is crucial! When you are talking to potential photographers, it’s okay to ask them where they learned their craft. In fact, most of us are proud to tell you about our training!

My first training with babies was as a teacher in the baby room of a local preschool. I am also a mom of three of my own babies. I’ve been a photographer for almost a decade and have been specializing in newborn photography for the last 7 years. I have trained under some amazing mentors including Hello Little and Rebecca Connolly Photography and have photographed hundreds of babies over the years. I am also a trained postpartum doula, so you can be sure your little one is in safe, capable hands with me! You can read more about my story here: https://drawinginlightphotography.com/about

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Recommendations from Friends

When looking for a newborn photographer, most of us ask our friends that have been there, done that. Talk to your friends! Ask them who did their pictures. What did they love about them? Was there anything they wish was different? How was the entire experience?

Google reviews are a great place to start if you are the first in your friend group to commission newborn portraits. I have more than 20 five star reviews!

I recently went to Lauren’s studio with my 3 boys and husband for newborn pictures. My newest was just over 2 weeks old. The whole experience was so wonderful! The studio is clean, Lauren is so wonderfully kind and patient, and the whole atmosphere was relaxing and peaceful, which I very much needed with a newborn, toddler and preteen. I felt very comfortable with her holding, rocking, and comforting my newborn and am so impressed with how the pictures turned out. So glad I have these pictures to cherish forever!

Marissa

Budget

Notice that I put this at the very bottom of the list of things to think about. Newborn pictures are something you can only do once and you should put as much thought into your newborn photographer as you did your wedding photographer. I understand that there can be a bit of sticker shock at newborn sessions. But you aren’t only paying for your pictures. You are paying for access to all the props and backdrops in our collection as well as our talent and continuing education that we have. I offer two different packages as well as payment plans to accommodate as wide a range of budgets as possible!

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Would you like more information about booking a newborn session with me? Hit that contact me button below and let’s chat!