The importance of choosing an experienced newborn photographer

Newborn photography is a specialty. Just as doctors and lawyers work in professions where they may have knowledge in different areas of their field but they are not qualified to practice all areas. Photography is like that. You can shoot all sorts of subjects and do many well, but when you specialize it means you have focused the most time and energy to developing a style, acquiring the right equipment, keeping up with the trends and managing your business to center around your specialty. It means you know what you are doing in this area better than another area.

I started my own photography journey shooting everything and none of it was very good. I knew nothing about how my (not so great) camera and lenses worked, I didn't understand light and I had no idea how to use editing programs. This is pretty typical of all photographers just starting out I mean we have to start somewhere right? I took some awful boudoir shots with selective color (when the photo is black and white but some things are in color); I took lots of family pictures and lots of pictures of my own kids. I thought that my fancy camera and me were awesome! As terrible as my work was no one was hurt in any of my work and I charged almost nothing while I was learning. There is one thing I regret: "practicing" newborn photography.

I think myself (and a lot of people starting out) get so excited to work with those sweet little babies and to replicate the amazing work that is floating around the internet that the reality escapes them. This is a human being. A newborn is a fragile, helpless person who needs very particular environment to remain comfortable and happy. I didn't know how to pose them, I didn't know what was safe, I didn't know about newborns like I know about them now. I should not have been "practicing".

So you might think if you didn't practice how would you learn? The answer would be to find a mentor, take classes, read, and learn before you photograph a newborn. I'm still taking classes. Parents, ask questions, look at their work and get references. I was able to get a baby to sleep after (nonstop crying) for enough time to get a couple peaceful looking shots, but in retrospect I was doing everything wrong. Now, I rarely have a fussy newborn and it's usually do to tummy problems (which I know how to identify and pose to alleviate.

What did I learn in the last few years? Well, aside from lighting, lens choice and camera settings; I learned how to be safe and how to make the session a positive experience for both the mother and child. Safety includes knowing how to merge multiple shots together to create the illusion that baby was by himself. I learned how to create a warm comfortable environment that a makes a newborn relaxed and not stressed out. I learned about newborn biology and how it is the key to a happy baby. I learned so much.

I feel like a defining factor for most parents is price. Newborn photography is a luxury, much like a nice purse or a weekend away. I am not in everyone’s budget and that is ok. As my sister once said, "people don't blink and eye are spending thousands on wedding photos and senior portraits. The newborn phase is the shortest and the one you will remember the least". She's right. My costs cover overhead, insurance, taxes, equipment, time and continued learning/experience. I feel it's hard to explain to a prospective client why the price is what it is, in many peoples minds this will be like target photo studio, in and out- generic. Ask any former client it is so much more than that and it should be! It's an experience from start to finish.

I know I rambled on here but this is something I am pretty passionate about. So I guess in closing, if you are looking to hire a photographer please do your research. If you are a photographer starting out please educate yourself first and remember the baby is not a prop.

To anyone who brought me his or her baby way back when...I apologize. I had no clue.