Newborn Photography, is it worth it?
Are you pregnant and wondering what all the hype is about?
Are you a bit undecided if you should go ahead and book a newborn photographer?
All my clients have said 100% YES - it is so worth it. Let me tell you why…
On the morning that you spend with your chosen photographer (fingers crossed that is me), it may seem like a struggle. Leaving the house on time after being up all night, you are tired, sore and you have no clue what you are doing - It sounds so familiar.
Remember this is ALL normal for those early weeks, feelings don’t last a life time, but I promise, but your photos will.
Below are a few things that need to be talked about, some questions and in my option, the answers…
Should YOU take your own photos, DIY style?
Of course you can and please do, nothing us photographers love more is everyone embracing the love of photography.
The thing is though, it is time consuming, you need patience, knowledge on lighting you camera or phone, what do you wear? Do you really need all that on top of your baby not wanting to sleep as you smell of milk and all they want to do is feed? It’s easy to get all flustered and annoyed, leaving it until tomorrow and before you know it they are now two months old - you get my point.
Another really important point to make is that some of these photographs that you see are edited post production. They are two photos merged together in Photoshop.
Experienced photographers have honed their skills and been taught how to pose newborns safely. So please please don’t suspend your baby from a tree in a stork carrying pose, it is just NOT safe.
Why are newborn photos so important?
How many times have we heard or said that they grow too quickly? The sad thing is, it is FACT. It seems like yesterday I was holding my 5lb4oz babe, all of 17 years ago and it passes by in an instant.
Beautiful professional photographs of your own babe bring a surge of that lovely love hormone, Oxytocin every time you look at them. They are full of those times that you can remember but are a little fuzzy. You forget how they used to nestle on your shoulder and nuzzle into your neck, because time has moved on and you’re onto the next phase.
Time seems to move a hell of a lot quicker now that you have offspring, that’s another fact - it doesn’t slow down for anyone.
A few reasons for booking a Professional Newborn Photographer
I feel it’s important to make sure we photograph all the moments and little details to look back on. As a professional newborn photographer it is my job to capture all the cuddles, the smallness of baby against daddies arms, the little frowns and faces they pull. All the macro shots, their lips and their feeding blisters.
As a new parent adjusting to your new role, you don’t need to be adding to the worrying pile. Think how nice it would be to have some of the worry taken away. Wouldn’t it be nice to come to my studio, relax and enjoy a hot cuppa and some uninterrupted cake. I will supply the warmth, chilled atmosphere with full access to my client wardrobe for yourself. You can sit in comfort and have some time together, snooze or scroll through your socials, while I work my magic with the camera? Of course it would!
TIME - As I mentioned before, it flies by. I think in that first week or so I showered once, it is what it is. :)
Do you have the time to think and learn about taking your own newborn photos?
GETTING IN THE FRAME TOO - It is so important that you do. As mums we tend to take the phots and not be in them. I have heard so many times ‘I have no pictures of me and my kids - it’s always me taking the photo!’ Well let’s change it and get you in there too. When you kids grow these photos will be cherished.
WRAPS, BLANKETS AND DRESSES - It is somthing else that you don’t have to think about. I have a client wardrobe, blankets and wraps. You just need to bring yourself and your makeup bag if you wear it and that is it, happy days!
PROFESSIONLLY PRINTED PRODUCTS - How many of us have millions of photos on our phones? Yup, I know, I am that person. But when you invest money in hiring a pro, then you will want these photographs spread around your house, on every wall, looking every bit the professional quality they deserve.
Will you regret NOT having professional photos taken?
Having spoken with many mums during and after the pandemic, having the option to have professional newborn photographs taken away from them really was upsetting. They are sad that they weren’t able to book in to have the experiance and sad that they don’t have those special photos on their walls (iPhone pics don’t cut it, sorry!).
Sometimes life shows up unexpected events that doesn’t allow for newborn photography in the preferred timescale of under 2 weeks. It could be medical or personal reasons but never the less, it happens. If this is the case, it doesn’t mean you have missed the boat, it just means need to get your session booked in sooner than later and we capture them before they get any bigger.