What questions should you be asking when hiring your newborn photographer?

1. Scheduling:

– When is the best time to schedule a newborn photography session?

I don’t actually schedule newborn sessions until after baby is born since babies rarely come on their due date. Once baby is here, I ask parents to contact me as soon as possible but I do keep in touch as we get close to baby’s due date so that I can be aware of any changes. I always schedule newborns at 10:00am as I have found morning to be the best time to photograph babies.

– How far in advance should I book a newborn session?

Depending on the photographer, it’s ideal to book at least a couple of months prior to your due date to ensure you have a spot reserved on your photographer’s calendar.

– What is the ideal age of the newborn for a photography session?

Every photographer has a different “sweet spot” when it comes to their preferred age for newborns. Personally, I recommend anywhere from 5 – 21 days, give or take. That being said, I have done newborn sessions up to 8 weeks old and while it might mean we have to do a fully swaddled session, I would never say it’s too late! This little doll was 6 weeks old and did amazing for her swaddled session.

2. Preparation:

– What should we do to prepare for a newborn photography session?

If you book a photographer with a fully stocked studio, there shouldn’t be too much to prep on your side. It’s simply a matter of bringing a fully fed baby, preferably well rested and not over-tired (I never ask parents to keep baby awake before the session), and getting the family ready if we’re doing family portraits. As we get closer to your due date, I will send out my newborn prep guide with everything you need to be prepared for your session. This prep guide includes prepping baby, what to bring, dressing the family, and what to expect during the session.

– Are there any specific clothing or props we should bring?

Many newborn photographers include everything, so there is nothing you should have to bring. I ask my clients in advance if there is a sentimental item they’d like to include but I ask to limit how much they bring from home as it limits my ability to use my own wraps and props, which is usually what they have hired me for.

– Can we include siblings or family members in the photos?

Absolutely and you should! All of my full sessions include your immediate family. That means, unless cleared with your photographer in advance, please don’t bring grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. but you should definitely book a session with parents and siblings.

3. Safety:

– How do you ensure the safety of the newborn during the session?

Make sure your photographer has been trained to wrap and pose newborns safely! I can’t stress enough how important this is! I have taken numerous newborn safety courses and have been trained and mentored by some of the best in the industry. All photographers have to start somewhere but no one should be handling your newborn, wrapping, and posing them, without being trained to do so safely. There are poses that require knowledge of doing composites in editing as it’s not safe to actually pose baby without hands on them. For example, the froggy pose. This is two images composited together.

Watch on TikTok

– Are there any precautions taken to ensure the baby is comfortable and secure?

Keeping the studio space warm for baby is key, especially when doing posing where baby is not wrapped and bundled up. I also employ a variety of techniques and devices from baby shushers to vibrating and rocking devices. (Check out my Amazon Storefront for these parenting hacks and more!) I also highly recommend bringing a pacifier, even if baby doesn’t normally use one. They can be a great source of comfort when wrapping, moving, and posing baby.

– What experience do you have working with newborns?

This is a great and important question to ask. Ask to see their portfolio, and even an actual gallery so that you know what to expect. I have personally photographed over 150 newborns in the my 5+ years and I’m more than happy to share examples of my work.

4. Style and Preferences:

– Can we choose the style or theme of the newborn session?

Of course! Your photographer should ideally send out a questionnaire before your session to find out if you have color preferences or certain themes to incorporate such as florals, sports, plaids, animals, or even outer space!

– Do you have a portfolio or examples of previous newborn sessions?

As mentioned above, you should definitely review a potential photographer’s portfolio as this will also give you an idea of what variety of props, wraps, headbands, etc. they have to offer for your session. If there is a photo from their portfolio that speaks to you, send it to your photographer so they can see what you like.

– Can we request specific poses or setups for the photos?

You can certainly request specific props and poses. That being said, most photographers can’t or at least shouldn’t guarantee anything. Some babies do better with certain poses than others and I will never force a baby into anything. I will try, but if they don’t seem to like it, I’ll move on.

5. Duration and Pricing:

– How long does a typical newborn session last?

A typicall full newborn session may be anywhere from 2-4 hours, depending on baby. My average is about 3 if we are also doing family photos. A mini session is usually about 1-1.5 hours.

– What is included in the session package?

This is going to vary widely depending on the photographer. Some include all edited images, some a set number of images that you pick, and others require you to purchase prints or packages. I have options for all images with a full session or a set number with a mini session, with the option to upgrade. You can also purchase prints from your gallery but this is not required.

Any questions I missed?

These are just a few of my most frequently asked questions from potential clients planning a newborn photography session. Keep in mind that each photographer will have their own set of guidelines and procedures, so it’s essential to communicate openly and ask any specific questions you may have before the session.

Photographing newborns is so precious and always such an honor. I hope you are able to hire the best photographer that fits your needs, so you can feel safe and confident as they photograph your newest little one! Please feel free to reach out with any questions I may have missed!

Valerie Clement is a newborn, family, baby, and maternity photographer located in the Flathead Valley, Montana area and has a professional studio located in South Kalispell.