Boston Newborn Photographer // 5 Questions to Ask a Potential Newborn Photographer
Hey friends! Holy heck it’s already 2023! Today I’m sharing 5 important questions to ask a potential newborn photographer. As a Boston newborn photographer I work with lots of young families as they welcome babies into their lives. I find some common questions that clients ask, and also some that I wish people would ask me!
When you do a quick google search or ask around to your friends who have already had children you’ll quickly find out that there are so many photographers out there! Woohoo! Great, right? However, that excitement quickly turns into overwhelm when you realize you have to choose one. One person whom you trust to photograph this fleeting, precious time with your new baby. How the heck are you supposed to find the perfect match for you? Well, you’re in the right place! Keep reading to learn some really helpful questions to ask a potential newborn photographer. These questions will help you figure out whether or not a particular photographer is the right fit for you!
Stop … waita minute…
Did you fill in the rest of the Bruno Mars lyrics? Or was that just me, haha. Anyways, I want to start with a little disclaimer before I get into the nitty gritty. First and foremost, make sure that you’ve found a photographer whose style of work you LOVE. It doesn’t make sense to contact a ‘dark & moody’ photographer if you prefer your photos ‘light and airy’. Every photographer has their own unique shooting and editing style and it’s important that your style and theirs is in alignment. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.
Okay! On to the good stuff! These questions will help you get to know your potential photographer and decide whether or not you will be a good fit to work together.
How much experience do they have photographing newborns?
This question is a great start when chatting with a photographer. It’s helpful to know how long they have been photographing children, newborns specifically. Every photographer knows how to take photos, of course, however not every photographer knows the intricacies of handling a newborn session. I’m not saying that you need a photographer who has been doing this for 15 years, but you might want to pause and reconsider someone if they’ve never photographed a newborn before.
How many newborn sessions do they accept every month?
This is a great question to ask, but one that I don’t think people often consider. You can find an amazing photographer whose style you love and who seems to have a cheaper price tag. Win win, right? However they may be able to offer this lower cost because they are a high-volume business. There’s nothing wrong with a high-volume business model, but it’s helpful to know this before booking. If your photographer’s schedule is so jam packed it might affect the ease at which you can reschedule.
Consider how this may affect your stress level if you need to reschedule your session. Babies arrive on their own timeline. They might arrive later (or earlier!) then planned, or you may experience an illness/injury etc. Ask the photographer their policies regarding reschedules. You might find a photographer with a higher price tag, however they might create more flexibility in their calendar. The amazing thing about looking for a Boston newborn photographer is that there are lots of us! We all have different business models, so you’ll likely find someone who is perfect for you and your situation.
Do they offer a client wardrobe?
Do you end up stressing out before your photo session because you suddenly hate everything in your closet? You might want to find a photographer who offers a client wardrobe to choose from. I don’t know about you, but I always get sick of my own clothes. I always want to buy something new for photos. Of course, this is not always possible or a good habit to get into, haha. I offer my clients a client wardrobe to choose from, which you can browse through HERE if you’re curious what types of clothing I love to photograph! Ask the photographer you are chatting with if they offer a wardrobe!
Do they have a studio? Or can they come to your home?
What do you envision for your newborn photos? Would you rather have them taken in the comfort of your own home with your own amenities close by? Do you love your home’s color scheme and decor? Maybe an in-home session is best for you!
On the other hand does it totally stress you out thinking about having someone come into your home? Or you’re not in love with the aesthetic of your home? A studio session might be a great fit for you!
After your session, when you’re flipping through your photo album or looking at the framed prints on your wall. What would make you the happiest to see? Let this vision guide your location choice.
Do they offer printed artwork and products?
After you’ve had your session how easy is it going to be to get your images into your hands? I mean physically in your hands. That could be an heirloom lay-flat album full of your favorite photos, loose prints in a linen box or a large framed photo hung in your family room. As parents we are all busy. We have the best intentions of taking the time to sort through and organize all of our digital files, upload them to a (hopefully) reputable printing service and design an album that flows well and showcases our family. However, how often does that actually get done? Or if it does manage to happen, was it in a timely manner?
I’m totally guilty of hoarding my images on my hard drive and procrastinating terribly with printing my memories. As I work with more and more families I am learning what an amazing service it is to my clients to be able to provide them with high-quality artwork and printed products after their session. The products themselves are exceptional, but the time I am able to save them is just as valuable.
What kind of safety precautions do they take? Baby posing, Covid etc.
If you’re counting this is actually question #6. That’s because I believe it’s a necessity to bring up I just had to include it! This is an important question to ask. Those SUPER adorable, intricately posed photos of newborns with their hands under their chin are amazing. The photographers who take those photos have taken the appropriate educational courses that delve into the safety of newborn posing. Especially with specific poses like the one I mentioned.
Most often these photos involve an assistant holding the baby in the pose and always keeping a hand on them for safety reasons. Then the photographer will perform extensive editing to merge multiple photos together. This makes it look like the baby is holding the pose on their own. This is something that I don’t think a lot of people know, unfortunately. So newer photographers may try these poses when it can be potentially dangerous for the baby.
Another great question to ask is in regards to covid and other communicable illnesses. Does your potential photographer have policies in place about these situations? Does the photographer’s knowledge and views on health and safety align with yours?
I hope that you find this blog post helpful during your photographer search! I wrote a blog post a while back with 5 Ways to Prepare for your Newborn Photo Session that you might also find helpful! Check that out for some helpful tips to make your newborn session a little bit less daunting!
Boston Newborn Photographer
Corinne Isabelle is a Boston Motherhood Photographer. Corinne Isabelle Photography specializes in timeless portraits, in-home or in studio focusing on genuine and authentic moments. As a Boston newborn photographer, Corinne allows her clients to find luxury in the simplicity of everyday moments
CIP serves families in the Boston area including Boston, Cambridge, Jamaica Plain, Brookline, Needham, Newton, Somerville, Charlestown, and more throughout with MetroWest Boston.
