There are few things cuter than a newborn photo shoot. Professional photographs documenting your baby’s first few weeks are wonderful mementoes you can treasure for life. Newborn photographers are specially trained to ensure the safety and comfort of your little one while they capture precious moments enriched with adorable props and costumes. That being said, newborns can be notoriously cantankerous, particularly when they’re tired and hungry. Here are some tips for a successful newborn photo shoot.
When To Book Your Shoot
Sought-after newborn photographers book up quickly. Newborn photo shoots usually occur within the first fortnight of a baby’s birth, so avoid missing out on capturing beautiful photographic evidence of your brand-new baby by planning ahead. Furthermore, it’s unlikely your chosen photographer specialises solely in newborn photography, so they may have a dairy full of various jobs. As a rule of thumb, contact a photographer to secure your booking as far in advance as possible following your 12-week scan.
Schedule Your Shoot For Naptime
A quick Google image search will show you that the vast majority of professional newborn photos are taken when the tiny subject is fast asleep. This is because newborns are wriggly! Sleeping babies are easier to gently manipulate into adorable poses and capture in remarkable detail. While you may not yet have a clue about your unborn baby’s naptime schedule, try and keep them awake prior to your session so they can drift off for the duration of the shoot.
Feed Your Baby Prior To The Shoot
Newborn photographers advise feeding your little one around 20-30 minutes before your shoot. Hungry babies can quickly become irritable, whereas satisfied babies are more likely to be calm and cooperative. However, avoid feeding your baby immediately prior to the session – you don’t want them to spit up all over the set. Instead, arrive at the studio early, allowing plenty of time to feed and settle your little one before the session begins.
Communicate With Your Photographer
Most photographers are happy to discuss suggestions, so they can use their creativity to make your ideas come to life. If you’ve seen their previous work, or the work of other photographers that you would like to take inspiration from, inform them promptly, so they have enough time to gather the appropriate props, costumes and set. Furthermore, the comfort and well-being of your baby is a top priority, so don’t feel as though you can’t speak up during the session.
Provide Clothes And Props If You Wish
While your photographer likely has a studio chock full of high-quality, baby-safe costumes, including wraps, blankets, hats and dress-up items, you are more than welcome to source your own photo-worthy outfits. Opt for soft, delicate newborn baby clothes in colours you want to highlight throughout the shoot. Consider accessories like flower crowns, animal ear hats, and props such as their first cuddly toy or a wicker Moses basket.
Get Involved
If you’re feeling brave, you could always book a parent and baby photoshoot to capture the special bond between you and your little one. This way, you have the added bonus of being able to hold and comfort your baby throughout the session. You could even involve the whole family by including older siblings and your partner. If nothing else, stunning professional photos will help to boost your postpartum confidence.
Take Your Own Photos
Professional newborn photos may be charming, but they generally don’t come cheap. Although costs vary depending on your chosen photographer and the number of edited images you purchase, you can expect to pay anywhere from £80 upwards for the booking alone, not including prints. You could always attempt a DIY newborn photoshoot if your budget is tight. You don’t even need expensive photography equipment – just your smartphone, some good lighting and a lot of patience. You can read more about taking great photos of your kids here.
Opt For High-Quality Prints
Many newborn photographers offer prints included in their session packages. However, some photographers will allow you to purchase a number of fully edited digital files. Once you are in possession of the high-res files, you can send them to a professional photo printing service, which is ideal if you want to provide multiple friends and family members with high-quality copies of your shoot results. Opt for 200 gsm professional-grade photo paper for outstanding, long-lasting prints.
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