10 Questions To Ask Before Hiring Your Nashville Newborn Photographer

Expecting a new little person is one of the most exciting times in your life! I know you have a million questions going through your mind. The last thing you want to try to figure out is who to trust to take those very first portraits of your baby. The newborn stage is so special and also so fleeting. Your baby will never be this tiny and new again so making sure you hire the right person to capture it is essential.

Here are a few important questions that you might want to ask your potential newborn photographer, in hopes of narrowing down someone that is right for you!

1. Have you had any training in posing newborns?

With the availability of low-cost digital cameras and the overabundance of photographers, it’s hard to know the difference between a professional photographer and a hobbyist. Many photographers are self-taught, but those skilled in newborn portraiture have taken the time to learn newborn posing and how to safely handle these tiny subjects. Newborn portraiture is a specialized field. If someone is just starting out or hasn’t taken any specific training with regard to newborns, please be careful. Look at the portfolio of the photographer you are considering. Do they have a diverse portfolio of babies and poses? Do the babies look comfortable? Can you see their faces? Are the photographs in focus and well lit? Are the hands and feet purple?

2. At what age do you schedule newborn sessions?

Most professional newborn photographers know that the babies are most “womb-like” in the first 2 weeks of life. I recommend scheduling your newborn session for when baby is 5-14 days old to get all those curly poses you will love!

3. How long have you been working with newborns?

Many people who have children feel like they would be well suited to work with newborns sine they have had babies of their own. But newborn photographers will tell you that every newborn is different. Some like being shushed, some like being bounced, some like laying on their belly, so will love being swaddled, some will not take a pacifier, and some will fuss no matter what you try! Having the experience to work with many, many newborns gives professional newborn photographers the knowledge and experience to sooth colicky babies, to know what positions are best for babies with reflux, to understand how to pose multiples, and everything in-between. Good newborn photographers are patient, kind, and gently with your baby.

4. Do you have everything we need for the session? 

Ensure your photographer has a variety of headbands, hats, wraps, outfits, and props to use for your session. These items can be very expensive, especially those that are well made and safe for newborns.

5. Do you do composites for difficult poses?

No doubt you have seen crazy photographs of babies hanging from a branch, placed in helmets, or hanging out on a giant giraffe etc. What you don’t see is the process behind creating those images. Any image with obvious and questionable safety concerns should be done as a composite. That means that the photographer takes multiple photos of the setup and then merges them together in Photoshop. The most important detail in creating these images is that there is an assistant or parent holding the baby the entire time! A newborn should never be left propped up on something where they could startle, roll off, or fall out. If they are inside any type of bucket or basket, there should be an assistant with a hand on or near the baby. If your photographer does not know what a composite is or how to achieve it, consider that a red flag.

6. Do you have insurance?

This is a BIG one – any photographer who works with newborn babies should have business and liability insurance, as well as a current business license. These items mean that you are dealing with a true professional. A professional photographer should also provide a contract agreement for you to sign that documents all of the key terms and conditions for the session. You should feel comfortable handing your precious baby over to your photographer and trust that they have done everything possible to protect your child.

7. Do you have an assistant?

Sometimes photographers will have an assistant who helps them during the session, and other times they will rely on a parent to help them with more difficult poses. It is always good to know that there will be additional people assisting to keep your baby safe at all times and who those people are.

8. Are you comfortable handling preemies?

Preemies are often a lot smaller and have to stay in the hospital for days, weeks, or even months. Your newborn photographer should know what to expect and how to handle preemies safety. What if you bring home a 3 or 4 lb baby? Will your newborn photographer be comfortable posing him? Cleanliness and a healthy environment are also very important. Is the space your baby will be photographed cleaned on a regular basis? Has everyone who will be handling the baby been vaccinated? These are all great questions to ask your newborn photographer!

9. Do they have backup equipment? 

This one is very important, especially in photographing hospital sessions and births. Does your photographer have back up gear in the case of a malfunction with a piece of their equipment? You only have one birth story. It cannot be redone at a later date. Ensure that the photographer you hire is well prepared for any situation.

10. Do they work with studio lighting?

Natural light photography is my absolute favorite and that is what I do the majority of the time. But lets face it, shooting newborns indoors can be tricky. Some days its cloudy and rooms are dark. In these cases where the studio or your home does not have enough natural light a studio light or off camera flash is a must! Does the photographer know their way around proper lighting?

Please use these questions to be sure you are hiring a professional photographer whose work speaks for itself and who you can trust with your newborn 100%.

If you are currently expecting, please get in touch to schedule your newborn session prior to your birth to guarantee availability.