Newborn photography FAQ's
When people are expecting a baby (or have just had one) and are considering a newborn photoshoot, these the the most common questions that spring to mind.
What age is best for newborn photos?
The best age for typical newborn photos is within 2 weeks from birth. I know it might sound really soon (and like the last thing you’ll be ready for after giving birth) but a newborn photographer takes your recovery into account and the session is as comfortable and stress-free for you as possible.
The reason why we like to get babies in so young is that after that time newborns can already start to be more alert and spend less time in that deep sleep that makes working with them such a dream.
Can you take newborn photos after 3 weeks?
It depends on the type of newborn photos you are wanting. Posed newborn photographers will likely require baby to be under 3 weeks (sometimes there’s a 10-14 day old cut off) to ensure they get baby sleepy and flexible to position safely.
If you’re wanting lifestyle photos it may not matter as much if your baby is older than 3 weeks but check with the photographer.
I don’t require that babies are asleep through their session - as long as they are content I’ll shoot. But it is still nice to get them into the studio around 2 weeks because I know how fast they change. They lose a lot of those real newborn features surprisingly quickly! This time is really adorable and fleeting!
If you’ve missed the window or you need to recover from a difficult delivery, then it’s not the end of the world - whatever age will still be smaller than they’ll be tomorrow and can be captured.
How far in advance should you book a newborn photographer?
It is generally safe to book well in advance - most photographers will say at your 20 week scan. Photographers can be booked up months ahead and won’t be able to fit in a last minute booking. It’s worth trying anyway as you can get lucky, but definitely safer to book before your baby arrives.
How much does newborn photography cost?
It totally depends on the photographer you choose! But make sure you understand their pricing model before you book - feel free to ask them any questions and don’t be afraid to double check if you’re not sure about something. The last thing you (or they) want is for you to not be able to afford what they offer when it’s too late.
Why is newborn photography so expensive?
A lot goes into the photos behind the scenes, and it is a highly skilled job. It’s often taken many years of practice, training, and running a photography business is not cheap. After expenses your photographer is buying expensive props and outfits for your baby to wear. Also, remember these sessions can be long (not to mention surprisingly physically gruelling!) and the editing process is 3x longer - baby skin is often the toughest to edit and can be extra time consuming. An average newborn session will take between 4-10 hours of your photographer’s time. And these precious moments only happen once - they are worth every penny.
What do I need to bring to my newborn photo shoot?
You don’t need to bring any special outfits, blankets or props - all of these are provided in your session. If you have something special that you’d like to use in the session try and let your photographer know in advance so they can prepare their set up accordingly.
Do bring things like extra formula (babies often need extra feeds during a session), dummy if you’re using one, and a change of outfit if you’re going to dress up for the photos.
How do I keep my baby calm during a newborn photo shoot?
Photographers usually have a few tricks to keep babies calm:
Making sure baby is fed and full;
Having the studio nice and warm;
Using white noise to help settle baby;
Swaddling baby
Sometimes parents unintentionally make sessions longer by feeling they should keep their baby calm, without really knowing how to. Photographers are part baby-whisperers and you can trust that they know how to handle your baby.
We don’t expect babies to stay asleep and quiet through a session - crying and stopping for feeds and cuddles is all part of the process and this is why several hours are set aside to allow for this. If a baby is really unsettled and cannot be calmed down then the session is usually rescheduled.
What should we wear for the newborn & family pictures?
Simple is always good for newborn family photos. If in doubt just have everyone wear cream or white - dads in a plain t-shirt is great, mums in a long sleeve or 3/4 sleeve top or dress. Have block colours not patterns, plain and simple. Stretchy and comfortable looks nice when baby is laying on you.
I think for newborn photos, light and pastel shades work well. They’re soft and gentle, and are a good blend with baby’s skin tones. There is always the option to just have skin on skin too - make sure you let your photographer know that you’d be interested in doing that.
These images are from a newborn session I did in my studio recently. Sweet baby Cassidy was 2 weeks old and his big sister Elodie was 3 years old.
Get in touch if you’re interested in a newborn photography session with me - I’d love to hear from you!
