How to choose your maternity and newborn photographer
So you’ve found out you are having a baby! It’s such a special time, and I bet, like I was, you’re excited to buy those first items for your little one; planning your nursery decor, finding the perfect pram and oh my gosh, that first wardrobe with the itty bitty socks and singlets! There are so many cute things to plan and purchase as you get ready to welcome your newborn baby. Another really special item to consider is your maternity and newborn photographer.
So, how do you choose the perfect photographer for your family? As a portrait photographer specialising in maternity and newborn photography, I’ll give you a few tips.
Referrals. Ask around. I’m a big believer in personal recommendations. The majority of my clients find me through recommendations, because my clients love their experience with me. You want to be able to trust your photographer, so the best way is to find someone who has shown their skill and professionalism and people are willing to vouch for.
Style. Do you like dark and moody, light and airy? Do you like formal portraits, or casual interactions? Most photographers have their own style, or flavour. When it comes to style, there’s no right or wrong, but you want to find someone whose work you admire and are drawn to. Work you will be proud to display on your walls. I personally love warmth and contrast, and timeless, frame-worthy classic portraits. People choose me because they love my style, but there is a wealth or artistic style around, so choose someone whose style you are drawn to.
Skill and education. This is a big one for me. Anyone who’s had a session with me will know just how seriously I take the safety of my clients. I have invested a lot of time and money into courses and mentorships to learn how to safely and beautifully pose my clients. Maternity and newborn photography are different to other portrait photography styles in that it is important to have the skill and education to pose safely and comfortably. Many of the poses use compositing multiple images together or special angles to create certain effects. A classic example of this is the froggy pose where it appears that the baby is holding their head in their hands, which is obviously impossible for their little wrists to hold - the image is captured by combining two images together with a bit of photoshop magic. It is important to ensure that anyone handling your newborn baby is educated in how to do so safely, and not just trying to copy a Pinterest picture without taking into account the safety of your newborn. No image is worth compromising safety.
The extras. Do you want just digital images that will most likely stay buried in your computer’s hard drive? Do you want printed albums and wall art that you can show off to your friends? Do you want to try and source your own outfits, or have the experience of using high end gowns that have been specifically chosen for their flattering styles and how they photograph?
Budget. Obviously we all have our own budget, determined by both our circumstances and the value we place on professional photography. Like any art or service, you will pay for quality, experience and the extra inclusions. There are a lot of great photographers around at different price points for all budgets, from new photographers offering portfolio building, to luxury, high end couture photographers, and everything between. Photography is truly an investment in posterity. Now my girls are that bit older, I love looking over the images captured during my pregnancies and my girls’ childhood, and connecting with the awe and excitement of those precious times in our life, and the girls love seeing the images on our walls!
Good luck in your search for the perfect photographer for your family, and don’t hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any questions