In this day and age photographers are everywhere. I mean… everywhere. With quick access to cameras in our pockets it’s a skill picked up by many. However, of the many genres of photography the one you should always hire a professional for (I mean always) is newborn photography. 

Now you’ve decided to invest in a professional newborn photographer. How do you find one? I’m going to go over my top 3 tips for hiring a professional newborn photographer near you. 

1. Look for a newborn photographer who is trained to pose safely.

It’s a known fact that babies are fragile. The newer the baby, the even more fragile they are. Finding someone with extensive experience, who has taken a safety course, continues on their safety education, and practices safe posing should be the first thing you ask any photographer who you’re looking at booking for your newborn session. Many newborn photos are illusions of angles, and lots of photoshop. Example; the photo below is actually two images put together. In photoshop. This pose is not safe to attempt a baby to hold on their own. I have taken newborn safety courses and take at least one in person workshop a year to continue to further my education and safety standards as the industry changes and grows. 

2. Find a newborn photographer who’s style fits your aesthetic.

These images are going to be cherished and looked back on for years. Finding a photographer whose style is inline with yours is so important. Some photographers like to incorporate a lot of props, some like it simple. There’s light and airy editing, and dark and moody. My advice is to look through their portfolio. Do you fall in love with the style (not the cute baby)? Go through their blog and look at a few client stories to see a snapshot of an entire session. Or better yet ask them for a sample of a full gallery. A good newborn photographer should have a consistent style throughout their portfolio and it needs to be in line with your preferred style. I am a lover of depth and timeless imagery. I want my photos to be beautiful now and in 50 years so I don’t use trendy edits, or include heavy prop usage. I chose to focus on the emotive details and less on the other “stuff.”

3. You get what you pay for.

The market for newborn photography ranges so much in pricing it can sometimes feel confusing to know how to budget and what to expect to spend. My advice follows the all so true saying “you get what you pay for.” You’ll find photographers changing $400 for all the digitals, no doubt. But, is that the experience you want? Or do you want a photographer who works with you to create a personal experience and takes care of you from beginning to end? Take a look at the experience as a whole, read reviews(!), ask questions. To help, here are a few things to look for that you might not have realized mattered.

• Do they meet with you prior to the session to design and plan a session around you and your preferences? 
• Do they provide everything needed for the session or will you have to source outfits, props, makeup, etc?
• Do they provide fully finished products or leave you with digitals images you have to source prints for yourself?