Finding your newborn photographer may seem like a task that is bigger than Ben Hur - there are literally hundreds of us in Geelong and while it is awesome to have so much choice, I can imagine it gets a little overwhelming! In Australia, photography is an unregulated industry and there is no single body ensuring that we are all up to scratch, so I do think it is very important to do your research. Hopefully though, the following tips will help make your job a little easier.
This one is a biggie. Please please please check with any potential photographer that they have had adequate newborn safety training and are experienced in handing newborns - just being able to take great photographs is not enough in this very specialised field of photography and there is a lot of skill involved in posing your little bundles. Don’t be afraid to ask what sort of training they have had, how long they have been working with newborn babies and anything else you might like to know - we love chatting about what we do and want you to feel one hundred percent at ease during your session.
Another thing to consider is whether your potential photographer is up to date with their vaccinations - as we work with such little ones who have not yet had the chance to be immunised, it is our responsibility to ensure that we have taken every measure to protect them.
I touched on this above, but I would like to share a couple of images just to hammer home my point. These are mine, taken a few years apart with a whole lot of work and training in between.
An experienced photographer is not necessarily an experienced newborn photographer, because working with tiny little ones is quite a specialised skill. As with everything, practise makes perfect so make sure you are entrusting your baby with someone who has a lot of experience under their belt and really knows what they are doing.
A lot of my clients hear about me from their friends and family. If you know someone who has recently had a newborn photography session, ask them about their experience, what they liked about their photographer and if they would recommend them - this is a great way to get an honest review.
You can also check google reviews and any client comments on social media for an idea of how other people's experiences have been. Keep in mind though that not all photographers have a lot of reviews, but if the ones they do have are not favourable, they are probably one to avoid.
What do you plan on doing with your images? If you want to display them on your walls, in an album, on your desk, or hanging on your Christmas tree (yes, I do that!) choose a photographer that offers this service. Most of us use professional labs that aren’t available to the general public, and the quality of their products are far superior to consumer labs. I always wonder why someone would pay a lot of money for a gallery of beautiful images, to then end up with a less than ideal final product. It may cost a little more but I promise it is worth it!
Different photographers also offer different, unique and beautiful products that fit in with the style of their work, and you can't necessarily source these elsewhere - make sure so have a look at their product menu to see if something catches your eye.
Let’s get this one out of the way as it always makes people uncomfortable!
The cost of a newborn session can vary greatly depending on the photographer’s experience, their education and training, the equipment and props they use and whether their business is registered, insured and being run legally - please remember that a lot more goes into your session than just the few hours you spend in front of the camera.
Nowadays, there are loads of payment options that make high-end photography much more accessible so I will always suggest choosing the BEST photographer you can afford - we don’t want you to break the bank but we also want you to have amazing images and as with everything, you do get what you pay for.
Whoever you choose, whatever they cost, wherever they are, you’ve got to LOVE what they do! Do you prefer a more natural and lifestyle approach, rustic and organic, a stark black and white, very stylised and posed? Whatever the answer, stalk your potential photographer’s socials, trawl through their website and if you get excited about their imagery, they are the one for you!
Hopefully this has been of some use to you as you start your hunt for your newborn photographer. If in any doubt, remember that we always love talking about ourselves so don't be shy about asking! If you do have any questions about newborn photography that I haven't covered, do get in touch via the contact tab and I'll do my best to help you out xxx
