5 Tips for a Successful Newborn Session
Congratulations! If you are reading this you’re probably pregnant or you just had your baby. Either way your’e looking for a newborn photographer and you’re not sure how to book one photographer over the other. I’m going to give you 5 tips that will help you have a successful newborn session giving you images you will cherish forever.
1. Hire a Professional.
When it comes to getting photos taken of your newborn, you have to hire a professional newborn photographer. Meaning, the newborn photographer has had training on how to properly pose newborns and well as sooth them with safety always their #1 priority. I’ve photographed newborns in the past where Dad or a friend tried to photograph the newborn and moms always say it was a disaster and “I should have hired you to begin with.” Photographing newborns is not you learn on the first try or something you just figure out. Newborn safety is most important and training is necessary.
Some images you see me post of newborns are composite images. This means the photographer merges two seperate images together making it look like it was photographed that way. With the image below, their is no way that a 4-12 day old newborn has enough strength or control over their body to prop themselves up like this. Don’t try this at home unless you have been trained! It took me 2 years to even try this. This pose is called the “Froggy Pose” and it’s one of my favorites. I always do the froggy pose with an assistant as a composite image.
2. Book when you’re 6 Months Pregnant (or sooner).
As odd as it may sound, it’s best to hire a newborn photographer before you give birth for a number of reasons. Once you deliver your newborn, I’m pretty sure the last thing on your mind will be googling and booking a newborn photographer. My clients usually book when they are around 6 months pregnant. They give me their due date and we choose a few potential dates to have the newborn session based on when the newborn decides to make his or her grand entrance. Mom or Dad usually text me to let me know when their baby has arrive and I choose one of the dates we previously chose. If they have a scheduled c-section we schedule to have the newborn session when the newborn is 7-10 days old.
Lets say you’re googling a newborn photographer and you think you found the perfect one. You call them but turns out they are booked for the next few months. Now you have to start that process again!
Booking your newborn session in advance will give your photographer time to call you and find out what exactly you want from your newborn session. Do you want certain colors, a theme, prints, canvases, or an album for the grandparents Christmas present? It’s so important to have a relationship with your photographer so they can really capture who you are and make you feel comfortable as well as make sure to deliver on all of your expectations!
3. On the fence? Book a newborn session.
I’ve had a few clients that were on the fence about booking a newborn session because of time, money, whatever it was most of the time, they come back to have me photograph their now 1 year old and tell me know much they regret not getting newborn photos taken. I’ve never met parents who regretted having their newborns photos taken. Photos from your newborn session will last longer than anything you could buy for your baby right now and it’s something you invested in that you will cherish forever. Newborns are so little for such a short period of time and I believe it’s super important to photograph that special time.
4. Read the pre-session information your photographer gives you.
All professional newborn photographers will give you or tell you tips on how you can best prepare for your newborn session. From keeping the baby awake right before the newborn session to what to wear, make sure you read in case you have any questions and to ensure your newborn session will go as smoothly as possible.
5. Arrive on Time.
It’s sometimes difficult arriving on time to places in the DC area. Traffic caused by backups, accidents, really long lights, and the occasional posed tire or car breakdown. I’m sure it’s even more difficult when you have a brand new baby with 5 thousand bags of stuff to pack and bring along. It’s important to arrive on time for your newborn session so you have all of your session time to get beautiful images of your brand new baby.
All these tips and more will ensure you have successful newborn session and images you will cherish forever! Have any questions? Email [email protected]
Sarah Botta Photography is a newborn photographer with a residential studio based in Woodbridge, VA/ Lakeridge, VA.
Sarah Botta is a Northern Virginia based newborn and wedding photographer whose work can be described as organic, natural, and timeless. Sarah specializes in capturing people’s stories and building connections with each client to help tell their story. Her residential newborn studio is located in Woodbridge, VA where she photographs newborns ages 4-12 days new.
Sarah has photographed over 30 weddings across Virginia and Maryland from rustic barn ceremonies to elaborate golf course receptions. Her natural timeless style shines brightest with outdoor locations.
Sarah is available for travel worldwide and is passport ready.
