.png)
Give your newborn the best when it comes to your photographer. Here are 9 tips on how to choose based on my expertise as a NJ newborn photographer.
It's a momentous occasion - the birth of your little one! And you want to capture it all on camera. But who should you call to photograph your newborn? I’m an expert NJ newborn photographer, and I’m here to help. Here are ten things to look for when choosing your newborn's professional photographer.
1. Experience
Because infants grow exponentially in their first few weeks and months of life, you'll likely only get one chance for a professional newborn photoshoot. So you want to be sure you choose someone who can get it right.
Newborn photography is an art that takes years of practice and training. Select someone with experience who can handle, pose, and photograph newborn babies. While there are no formal qualifications for becoming a newborn photographer, there are some quick ways to vet your options.
Ask your photographer about their experience or look through their website. Do they mention safety in their training and processes?
Look for a blog that details the photographer's expertise with articles about newborn photography.
2. Portfolio
Another great way to determine the photographer's experience level is to check out their online portfolio. As you click the photographs in their gallery, decide if you like the overall composition, style, and editing of the pictures.
An excellent photography portfolio will offer examples of each kind of photoshoot they provide. For instance, if the photographer offers a newborn photography session, there should be ample examples of newborn photography in their portfolio. If you can't find what you're looking for, ask the potential photographer to send you additional photo samples before deciding.
3. Safety
Safety should be a top priority. For newborn photography, it is imperative to choose a photographer who follows all safety protocols to ensure the health and well-being of your baby. Ask about their safety procedures and make sure you are comfortable with them before booking.
As you research more into the safety protocols of potential photographers, be on the lookout for the kinds of poses each photographer achieves, such as the froggy pose or the potato sack pose. These positions are unsafe when babies are left unsupported.
At Woah Hello Photography, safety is prioritized in every session:
We do not do unnatural poses but instead focus on lifestyle photos that are safer for the child.
Your Woah Hello Photographer will be vaccinated and boosted, plus wear a mask during your session.
Your Woah Hello Photographer will wash their hands upon entering your home, prior to interacting with your child(ren).
Your Woah Hello Photographer is fully trained and experienced in holding, supporting, and swaddling newborns.
Check out more information about newborn photography safety from the National Association of Professional Child Photographers.
4. Style
Newborn photography comes in many different styles, so you must find someone who can really capture your vision. For example, some photographers specialize in posed newborn photos, while others are experts in natural lifestyle photography.
Lifestyle photographers are an excellent choice if you like pictures that capture life's most authentic moments. Rather than packing up the whole family and spending the day at a traditional studio, lifestyle photographers come to the newborn's home and capture the family in action. In addition to being less-stressful for the family, lifestyle sessions are inherently more flexible, allowing you to capture a larger variety of moments.
If you're searching for a NJ newborn photographer that does lifestyle shoots, Woah Hello Photography does it best.
5. Timing
Depending on the style you're going for, timing is crucial for newborn photography. During the first two weeks of life, newborns are still prone to curling up in womb-like fetal positions. Their tiny little limbs are nimble enough to achieve the classic newborn swaddles that many parents love and a swaddled baby is most likely to sleep through the whole session!
If you want to capture your child at their tiniest, it's best to book before the birth and have your baby’s session during their first two weeks. You’ll want to find a photographer that can leave space for your session near your due date and then be flexible in coordinating a session once your child is born.
One of the biggest benefits of lifestyle photography, though, is that we can photograph them beautifully at any age! Even if you’ve given birth already (or are about to!) reach out to Woah Hello Photography so we can professionally capture them at this special stage they’re in.
6. Price
Price can vary significantly among photographers, so choosing one that fits your budget is important. Look through their prices and packages before booking so there are no surprises later on down the road.
It's best to choose a photographer that offers all-inclusive pricing with optional add ons if you prefer. Avoid working with studios that sneak surprise surcharges to receive or download your favorite photos.
If you're looking for a NJ newborn photographer with up-front, inclusive, and affordable pricing, Woah Hello Photography has you covered.
7. Packages & Add Ons
Each photographer offers different packages, so it is important to find the one that fits your budget and meets your photography needs. For instance, many parents prefer newborn photoshoots that feature the whole family.
As you explore each session option offered by potential photographers, look for sessions labeled "Family Session" that include shots of parents, siblings, and even pets.
Some photographers offer options that go above and beyond a standard photoshoot. Consider the neat add ons provided by your potential photographers. Looking for a social media video so you can share your adorable newborn with the world? Make sure you pick a photographer that offers this service.
8. Comfort
As you communicate with potential newborn photographers, it's important to feel out their vibe and gauge your overall comfort level throughout the process. Of course, you want someone who will make you and your family feel at ease throughout the photoshoot, so listen to your intuition.
9. Location
Your photoshoot location determines how staged your photos will seem. If you'd like to have your newborn photos be natural and authentic, consider an in-home lifestyle session.
If you're in the New Jersey area and you're on the hunt for an experienced lifestyle photographer, check out Woah Hello Photography.
About Woah Hello
Hi, I’m Maggie, your Woah Hello Photographer! I’m a NJ newborn photographer who has been capturing authentic photographs since high school. I specialize in capturing natural family moments through photography.
Comments