Choosing a Newborn Photographer

This week, Lauren Ridge,
owner of Lily Sophia Photography,
shares her tips for
selecting a newborn photographer.
So much great information!

Lauren at work!

CONGRATS mama! If you’re reading this article, you’re likely pregnant and in the planning stages of all the baby related things. While you’re busy with your baby registry, don’t forget about planning your family’s first portraits with your new baby! The hottest stroller or bottle always changes, but these photos will last a lifetime and be cherished through generations.

A little bit about me: My name is Lauren Ridge, and I’m a mom of three children and a full time professional photographer. I’ve had SUCH a great experience working with Heather of Birch Nannies, so I send all my clients in need of an excellent nanny to Birch. Seriously, there’s no better placement agency! I run a busy family & newborn studio located on the Beltline in Atlanta, Georgia right by Ponce City Market. In my nearly 8 years in business, I’ve heard so many sad stories from my clients that could have been avoided, had they known the right questions to ask when they were looking for a newborn photographer. This blog post will arm you with information so you can make the best decision for your family!

Step One: research (and make a short list!). Google is your friend! The first step is to Google newborn photographers in your specific area and visit the websites of any personal referrals you might get from friends. Look through the websites and portfolio and make a short list of the ones that you fall in love with. Newborn photographers are not one size fits all. If you want bright and vivid colors with heavy props, then you won’t want a newborn photographer that specializes in neutrals and focuses on emotional connection - and vice versa. Once you’ve made your short list of photographers whose style and portfolio you absolutely LOVE, read their reviews! Any photographer who has been around for a while should have reviews. I’m not talking about testimonial blurbs on their websites, I’m referring to Google, Yelp, etc. Read their reviews and really pay attention to what their clients have written. Are their clients reporting positive experiences and highlighting their attention to client service, making their clients comfortable during their session, etc? Pro tip: Head to the photographer’s Instagram page and read through the comments from their followers. This can speak volumes about how clients feel about their experience with them!

Step Two: Contact your top choices! Call their studio or send a website inquiry to them. Then, pay attention to how quickly you receive a personal response. NOT an auto-response - a personal one. Does the photographer or their studio manager reach back out to you via phone or email within 2 business days maximum? If not, move on. A photographer or studio who is too busy to get back to you may also be too busy to get your images back in a timely manner. Communication is so important! I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend that you get on the phone with them. You are going to be handing your brand new baby over to be photographed, and a phone call is so much more informative about the studio and experience than an email ever could be. Once they do respond to you, have your questions ready! Pro tip: If the photographer’s website has an FAQ page, take the time to read through it. Some of your questions may be answered there. What questions should you ask if they haven’t already been outlined on the photographer’s website?

Here’s 8 questions to get you started, with the MOST important one for this time of COVID listed first:

1) What precautions and sanitation measures are you taking in your studio?

2) Do you have a current flu and pertussis vaccination? Every newborn photographer should have a flu shot, and pertussis should be updated with a booster every 3-5 years.

3) How long have you been a newborn photographer?

4) Ask for an explanation of their business process and timelines for turnaround of your images. This will cover pricing, what’s included, proofing, image selection, product ordering, etc. Also consider asking if you have older children: are siblings welcome to sessions? Is there an extra fee for siblings or is their participation included? Ask if pre-session payment plans are offered if budget is a concern.

5) How old do you prefer my baby to be for photos? Some photographers want babies to come in as early as 5 days old and some prefer to wait until 14 days or later. This will depend on their process and how sleepy they want the baby to be.

6) How flexible are you if we have postpartum complications for mom and/or baby?( Let’s say you have an emergency c-section. Heading to your newborn session when your baby is 5 days old is just a nightmarish recipe for disaster. You will likely still be in pain and recovering.)

7) When do you prefer to schedule baby boys to come in, if we are choosing to circumcise?

8) How long should I expect my session to be?

Take note of how quickly you are responded to, and how you feel when communicating with them. Are your questions answered in detail and do they clearly explain their process? Once you’ve spoken with the photographers and reviewed their information, there will be one that stands out to you the most as the perfect fit for your needs.

Before you make your final decision, a not so quick word about budgeting and pricing. Do not choose the photographer who is the cheapest just because they’re the cheapest. If you absolutely LOVE their work and they happen to also be the least expensive of the options you’re considering, awesome! Be sure not to make your decision based on price alone. Why? I cannot tell you how many newborn clients I have had over the years who learned that lesson the hard way. They initially went to a newborn photographer because they were running a special for $250 or their wedding photographer gave them a “free newborn session”. Their session experience wasn’t that great, but hey, it was only $250 or totally free! When they received their photos and were disappointed, they called our studio in a panic to see if they could book a newborn session with us.

Here’s the long and short of it from someone who knows firsthand: being a newborn photographer takes years of training in handling and photographing tiny ones safely, the best professional grade camera & lighting equipment, newborn wraps, props, etc. liability insurance, equipment insurance, and all the taxes and fees that come along with being a legally operating photography business. Please, do yourself a favor and spare yourself the heartache of hiring someone who isn’t a trained professional. If budget is a concern, most photographers offer payment plans leading up to the session, and some even offer a registry so your family and friends can contribute towards a session. That Bugaboo stroller on your registry will be donated or sold someday, but your newborn album will last for a lifetime and be passed down through generations.

Step Three: BOOK your session! I am routinely fully booked for sessions months in advance. My clients know that I fill up quickly and reserve their session with me as soon as possible. I am often one of the first people to know a couple is pregnant so they can secure a guaranteed spot on my books! If you’ve waited until the last minute or you’re currently holding your two day old newborn, you should know that the photographers you choose to contact may already be full for that month. Most maintain a waiting list since babies arrive early or late ALL the time and may be able to squeeze you in for a last minute session.

Booking your session with your newborn photographer usually means that you will sign a session agreement and remit your session fee. Once that’s done, you will simply let your photographer know when your baby has actually arrived and go from there with confirming your scheduled session date.

I hope this was helpful to you in navigating your photographer selection! If you have further questions, or if you’re in the Atlanta metro area and looking for a photographer for your maternity, newborn, milestone, or family photography needs, we’d love to serve your family! You can check us out at www.lilysophiaphotography.com or follow us over at Instagram at lilysophiaphotography - We love making new friends!