If you’re reading this I’m assuming you’re expecting…so congratulations! I’m sure your life is pretty crazy and you’re trying to sort through everything you need to do before baby is here. Or if baby IS here, maybe you’re stressing on what to do now (hint: you’re doing great).

But when DO you schedule newborn photos? And how in the heck do you choose what type of session you want? I see the same questions over and over in mom’s groups, so let’s just get right into what mom’s want to know.

When do I schedule my newborn’s photos?
It varies photographer to photographer, but most newborn photographers want to photograph your baby in those early few weeks. Some photographers want them when they’re 7-10 days old, some put a hard stop on the 2 week old mark. Some will take them even later! Those early weeks is when they are most sleepy and don’t startle as easily when touched. With that said, it is important you schedule before your due date. This ensures that you are scheduled with the photographer you want to work with and that they have availability for you when you need them the most. I cannot tell you the number of times I have received a frantic email from someone with a 2 week old baby, scrambling to schedule photos with me. If your due date isn’t here, do yourself a favor and find your photographer now. Trust me, it’s probably not something you want to do once baby is here. Does that mean you are unable to schedule your photo session after baby is born? Absolutely not! But keep in mind that when you’re tired and sleep deprived, researching and hunting down a photographer you want to work with will be more stressful and there’s a higher chance the photographer you’ve had your eye on will be booked and unable to fit you into their schedule.

How do I select my photographer?

Well isn’t this a can of worms? There’s a lot that goes into finding the perfect match for you.

First off, decide what type of session you want. Posed newborn or lifestyle? Posed, think sweetly sleeping in props or on blankets. Lifestyle think not posed but often take place in your home with your new baby. So in other words, your home and environment are the “props” and baby will not be posed. There are also lifestyle photographers with studios set up to look like homes, so you will travel to their studio but for an unposed, lifestyle session. Some photographers offer both styles, so be sure you check their website and their work to be sure that what you are seeing is what you want for yourself. I cannot stress enough to check their work to be sure it matches what you want!

Next, decide if you prefer in your home or in a studio. Photographer’s aren’t magicians or maids. In-home means you need to clean your place. And let’s be honest, cleaning is no fun. Now add sleep deprivation on top and it can make it extremely difficult to do. However you are in the comfort of your own home and you don’t need to travel at all but. Just remember that the photographer will need to bring their gear and/or equipment to you and will also need space to work in. This traveling and added convenience often comes at a premium. Meanwhile, being in a studio means you travel to that photographer. They most likely have a comfortable environment for you to relax in, as well. You also don’t need to clean or get your home ready to be photographed. YAY! The photographer most likely has a large collection of props for you to use, so you just show up ready for that photographer to do their thing.

If you’re still confused, the photos below are posed, in-studio.

Once you have a list of photographers work you like, look at their reviews. Google is good for that. So is Facebook.

Look at their expertise. Is this someone brand new with little experience photographing a baby? Is this someone with years or decades of experience? I bring this up because baby safety is a thing! If you’re looking at a posed session, many poses are completed with some photoshop magic – something an unexperienced photographer may not understand or know about and could unknowingly put your baby in danger A more experienced photographer will understand more about lighting, angles, framing, and what is a more pleasing to look to make for timeless photos at than someone just starting out (this isn’t a knock on newer photographers, we’ve all been there!).

Your baby is so incredibly precious, so please be sure you’re aware of their expertise and try to learn if you can trust them when handling your newborn. I mean, I have some pretty nice knives and pans and am half decent in the kitchen, but I would never call myself a chef and do it for money. So in the same way, just because someone has a camera doesn’t mean they are a newborn photographer. A few times a year I will have a family call me saying that the photographer they originally scheduled with cancelled on them last minute – please don’t let this happen to you and select someone with a positive reputation that you an trust!

Look at pricing. Yup, I said it. And this is another cam of worms. Pricing isn’t a magic number that is pulled from the air. Pricing reflects experience, skill level, time invested with you (and editing after), and many other things that goes into running a business that makes for a boring read to non-photographers. While on the hunt keep in mind that once a photographer finishes your session, they will spend hours editing your session’s photos. Its simply not just a 3 hour session you’re paying for. You will find everything from $100 sessions to $5000+ sessions. Most offer digitals, some offer products. Heck, you’ll even find free if you dig hard enough. I could go on and on, but please trust me that you get what you pay for when it comes to pricing. A long-term, experienced business with amazing photos won’t have the cheapest prices out there. Also, no photographer accepts arms or legs as payments. So please stop asking about which photographers are amazing that don’t charge an arm and a leg in the mom’s groups.

So my industry-savvy advice in the TLDR version?

Start your search before your due date. 2nd trimester is about perfect! Find someone whose style you like, look at their reviews and their website to be sure they meet your expectations when it comes to quality/reputation/expertise, then look at their pricing. If its out of budget, don’t freak! Re-asses what you’re wanting (don’t expect champaign on a beer budget) or inquire with them to see if they accept payment plans or have other options for you.

And of course, if you’re in the NW Chicago suburbs I would love to talk with you about a newborn session! And to fulfill the above criteria: I have 10+ years experience and offer in-studio, posed sessions. I’ve been rated as one of the top newborn photographers in the Chicago area for the past several years and have taken several classes on baby safety and photographing newborns (I am for 1 class or mentorship a year). I like photographing babies in the 2-3 week range. Most families schedule their session with me 3-4 months in advance and I would be honored to work with you, too. Let’s chat!

Still confused or have questions about newborn sessions. Ask me and I’ll add my answer above! I’m here to help everyone’s search as easy as possible.