5 Things To Know Before Choosing A Newborn Photographer
Choosing a newborn photographer isn’t only about finding photographs you like.
You’ll also want to understand how the photographer works with newborn babies, what style of images you’ll receive, how the session is paced around feeding and settling, whether parents and siblings can be included, and exactly what your package includes.
Here are five things worth checking before you book.
1. Do You Like The Photographer’s Newborn Photography Style?
Start with the photographs.
Newborn photography can range from highly styled images with elaborate props and setups to simpler portraits that keep the attention on the baby and the family’s connection.
Look through a photographer’s full newborn portfolio, rather than only a few favourite images on social media, and ask yourself whether you would still want those photographs displayed in your home years from now.
At Bambini, we tend towards a simple, timeless approach — photographing the baby on their own as well as with parents and siblings, with selected wraps, props and setups where appropriate.
2. How Experienced Are They With Newborn Babies?
Photographing a newborn is different from photographing an older baby or child.
Beyond operating the camera, the photographer needs to be patient and comfortable working around a newborn’s pace. Babies may need feeding, changing or settling during the session, and not every baby will respond in the same way.
Ask how much newborn experience the photographer has, how the session is usually run and what happens when baby needs a break.
At Bambini, newborn sessions are photographed by Syafiq (Mr Potato), who regularly photographs newborn babies as well as older babies, children and families. The session is adjusted around how baby is doing rather than expecting every newborn to follow an identical sequence.
3. How Does The Photographer Work Around Your Baby?
Newborn sessions don’t always run exactly according to plan and that’s normal.
Your baby may need time to feed, settle or be changed. Some babies sleep readily; others are more alert.
Before booking, ask whether the photographer expects the session to follow a rigid sequence or whether there is room to adapt to the baby on the day.
At Bambini, we allow time for the normal pauses that come with photographing a newborn and work with what baby gives us during the session.
Watch Mr Potato’s Explains why you might find the studio a little ‘warmer’ when you come for a newborn photoshoot. 👇
Bambini newborn sessions take place in our studio, where the photography equipment, wraps and setups are prepared in advance.
4. Can Parents And Siblings Be Included?
A newborn photoshoot doesn’t have to be only about photographs of the baby.
For many families, the photographs that become more meaningful over time are also the ones showing how tiny the baby was in Mum or Dad’s arms, or the beginning of the relationship between the new baby and an older brother or sister.
If those photographs matter to you, check what’s included before booking rather than assuming family photographs are part of every newborn package.
Bambini’s newborn sessions can include baby with parents and siblings according to the package/session booked.
5. Do You Feel Comfortable With The Photographer?
Newborn photography is a very personal experience. You’re handing your new baby to someone you’ve only just met, often at a time when you’re still adjusting to life with a newborn yourself.
Beyond liking a photographer’s work, look at how they communicate and how other parents describe their experience. Do they seem patient? Are they comfortable working with babies? Do they explain what they’re doing and give you confidence throughout the session?
Reviews can be particularly useful here. Look beyond the star rating and read what other parents actually say about how the photographer worked with their baby and family.
At Bambini, your session is photographed by Syafiq, better known as Mr Potato. You can meet him before your session through his videos and learn more about his approach to photographing newborns, babies and families.
What If My Baby Is Already More Than Two Weeks Old?
For the sleepy, curled-up newborn photographs many parents associate with newborn photography, the ideal time is usually within the first two weeks after birth. Babies at this stage tend to sleep more deeply and naturally curl into newborn positions.
But if your baby is already past two weeks, you haven’t missed your chance to have beautiful photographs.
As babies grow, they gradually become more alert, stretch out more and begin interacting with the people around them. The photographs may look different from those taken in the earliest newborn days, but this can bring its own lovely moments including more open eyes, expressions and interaction with Mum, Dad and siblings.
If your baby is already around one to two months old, see our 1–2 Month Baby Photography guide to see the kinds of baby and family photographs that are particularly suited to this next stage.
What Is Bambini’s Newborn Photography Style?
Our approach is simple and family-focused.
We want the baby to remain the focus of the photograph, while also documenting the relationship between the newborn, parents and siblings.
We use wraps, props and setups where appropriate, but the photographs should still feel like photographs of your baby and your family, rather than photographs of the setup.
Considering A Newborn Photoshoot?
Choosing the right newborn photographer comes down to more than liking a few photographs. Look at their style, experience with newborns, how the session works around baby, whether your family can be included and exactly what the package provides.
If Bambini’s approach feels right for your family, you can see our current Newborn Photography packages, browse our Newborn Photography Portfolio, or ask us about availability around your expected delivery date.
