Why Hire a Professional?
First things first... No type of newborn photography is better than another, it is a matter of personal preference. Whether its posed or lifestyle, photography is an art, and we all know beauty is in the eye of the beholder! I do, however strongly encourage you to hire a professional newborn photographer for this very special time so that you do not regret it later.
Here we are in the digital era, and everyone has a smart phone or even a nice digital camera.
While you may be satisfied with your iPhone or non-professional images at first, will they be images you proudly display in your home? Will you still feel this way 5, 10, or 20 years from now? When you hire a newborn photographer whose work you love, you will never regret that decision!
Here are some things to consider when choosing a newborn photographer for your new baby.
SAFETY
As a new parent, you are protective and want to do everything to keep your baby safe. This should be your top priority when choosing a newborn photographer. What kind of experience do they have with newborns and newborn safety? Trained newborn photographers are highly skilled when it comes to working with babies. You may have seen all the cute swaddled newborn poses, or babies sleeping in a prop. While these are all adorable, they can be potentially dangerous if you don’t know how to pose or swaddle newborns properly. It may even take multiple images to safely create the final product.
Why is this so important?
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Newborns can’t regulate their body temperature on their own yet, so posing a naked baby in a cold environment, is not going to work well.
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Infants are at a higher risk for suffocation, or injury if not wrapped or handled properly.
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They can’t hold their heads up on their own, and a baby’s skull still has soft spots aka fontanels. Posing and touching without proper support can injure your little one.
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Their immune system is not developed yet. Proper washing of your hands and hand sanitizer should be readily available at all times.
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Professional newborn photographers are also very patient when it comes to infants. If you have a fussy baby, your newborn photographer will use their experience to work through a variety of poses, and still be able to capture some beautiful shots for you to treasure for years to come.
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TIME FLIES
Once baby arrives, you will have your hands full! Days will be filled with diaper changes, feedings, and intermittent sleep. Barely having time to snap even a few pics with your camera or phone. Then, before you know it, you will be planning birthday parties, dropping them off at college, and watching them walk down the isle. You don't want to look back and wish you had taken the time to capture such a fleeting time.
STYLE & QUALITY
Maybe you have invested in a nice camera, or have a family friend who does some photography as a hobby. But photographing newborns requires so much more than just owning a nice camera or even just having knowledge of photography. Experienced newborn photographers, know which angles are going to work best, how the light should be positioned, how to properly pose your baby, and which equipment works best capturing those tiny little details. While the goal is always to capture a beautiful image, editing is often where the magic happens! Editing baby's skin can be challenging. Red blotches, flakes, or in some cases baby acne require editing software and knowledge. Your professional photographer will know how to enhance your images and showcase your baby in their best possible light.
When reviewing a newborn photographer’s work, you want to make sure their style speaks to you. It doesn’t matter how many Pinterest boards you have saved, if you try to make your photographer recreate something that is not in their aesthetic, you may not be satisfied with the end result.
YOU WANT TO BE IN THE PHOTO
As a mom, you're probably the one that’s behind the camera snapping the photo, and YOU are never actually in the image. Maybe we just hate to be in photographs because we don't feel our best. When you hire a professional photographer, they will have the experience and knowledge for posing and editing to ensure they capture the best version of you possible.
These are some of the most magical, emotional, and important days of your life. I tell all of my Moms when they come through my door, “Your baby is only going to fit in your arms the way I place them for the first few weeks of their life. Soak it up!” You are going to want to remember what they looked like in your arms. Just how small they were, and how you felt in that moment in time.
PEACE OF MIND
Yes, there may always be someone offering to do it cheaper. There may be pop-up studio rentals for space and props to use. But nothing compares to the experience and peace of mind that comes with hiring a professional newborn photographer. Someone that puts their heart and soul into each encounter with a new baby and family. Someone who is dedicated to capturing the most precious time in your little ones life. You certainly won't regret it!