How to Find the Best Newborn Photographer

Top TIPS for finding your Newborn Photographer

CONGRATULATIONS! You just found out you were expecting a BABY!  A tiny, squishy, beautiful little bundle! EEK! Now the fun starts. Not only are you going through morning sickness, experiencing bloating, have food aversions, and are extremely exhausted, but you are trying to find the perfect newborn photographer for YOU.  How in the WORLD do you even start? That’s where I come in. YAY! I’m here to go through some tips to help you find the baby photographer who fits your needs.

How to Find the Best Newborn Photographer
Precious Little Babes

Tip ONE: Look for Someone with TRAINING & EXPERIENCE

When looking for a newborn photographer, look for someone who has been adequately trainedThis is NOT the time to choose your cheapest option.  This baby just spent ten long months growing in your womb–this is your pride and joy! You want someone who knows what they are doing–someone who has been trained and continues to learn from some of the best photographers in the world. After initial contact with clients, I explain that safety is my number one priority and why this is important.  Babies are moved from pose to pose with comfort and ease and never forced into any position.  The tiny subjects are always spotted and never left unattended. I explain that our little models run the show (kind of like in real life as well–LOL) and the babes “tell me” if they are into a pose/position or not. I have invested in mentorships, education, workshops, and hands-on training to ensure that I know best safety practices and that your precious newborn is taken care of.  In fact, I’m about to go on my second annual newborn photographer’s retreat in Florida!  Check out what we did LAST YEAR!

How to Find the Best Newborn Photographer
Charlotte Newborn Photographer

Tip TWO: Find Someone who has a TOP-NOTCH Studio

Look for a baby photographer who is not only trained, but who has amazing equipment as well. My STUDIO is well stocked with state-of-the-art equipment that allows me to create beautiful works of art of your little newborn. I have perfected lighting placement and know the ins and outs of my camera, which all contribute to producing gorgeous images for your home.  The Studio has props, hats, bonnets, headbands, and wraps galore–that have all been specifically made for newborn photography. Parents don’t have to bring a thing to the session–only themselves and the little model! If parents have something special they want to bring from home, I ask to see a photo of it before the session so I can plan or gage if it can be incorporated in the session flow, or not.  Often clients  bring a hat or headband that they think is adorable (which it usually is!), but the item is not made for baby photography, so it’s too big or bulky for the session. All of the studio objects that have been purchased for the studio are made by newborn photography prop vendors with the best and softest materials for the little babies!

How to Find the Best Newborn Photographer
Newborn Photography Style

Tip THREE: Look for a Newborn Style you LOVE

There are MANY different Newborn Photography styles. You need to find the right fit for YOU. My baby photography style is typically light and airy (above) with a touch of dark, dramatic shadows (below):

How to Find the Best Newborn Photographer
Classic Black & White

I love making each session unique to each client and I really try to listen to clients’ desires while staying true to my art and style. If baby is fussy, I wrap and swaddle them so they feel secure and comfortable. I can still create beautiful images this way. I have been called the “baby whisperer” many times because I am able to calm and soothe the baby into a deep slumber. In fact, I’ve been invited over to client’s home for 3am visits! HA! This sounds like a business opportunity to me…

Some parents want more props poses, which I happily oblige:

How to Find the Best Newborn Photographer
Prop shots

While others prefer the “beanbag poses”:

How to Find the Best Newborn Photographer
Charlotte Newborn Photography: “Beanbag poses”

No matter what, I am CONFIDENT that I can capture all the cuteness of your sweet little bundle of love! I hope these tips help you while you are searching–ah-hem-(me over here, waiving my hands in the air)-for the BEST Newborn Photographer;)

 

Are YOU expecting?! LET’S CHAT to see if we are a good fit for each other!

 

 

How to Prepare for Your Newborn Photo Shoot

Newborn Photography FAQ’s ANSWERED

As a Charlotte baby photographer, I get asked a plethora of questions as to how to adequately prepare for their portrait session. When something like this happens, a little bell goes off in my mind–(must be the former teacher in me)–and I think–what a GREAT idea for a blogpost for future clients! Hot-DIGGETY-DOG! So here I am to help you get ready for a successful, beautiful photography experience with KatieRie Photography.

Charlotte Newborn Photograpy by KatieRie Photograpy
Precious Little Babes

When Should I Book My Newborn Photos?

Right away! My schedule books up really fast, so I tell parents to book their session as soon as they know they are expecting (and when mommy is feeling well enough to plan ahead–ah-hem first trimester!). Once you decide you would like to book my services, we move forward with a contract and retainer fee.  These two things secure your session date and time.  I then pencil in your due date on my calendar and you have successfully booked your newborn pictures.  Everything is online for your convenience, in fact, once your pictures are booked, you get a private password to the Client Portal, where you are able to view your invoices (paid and unpaid), your contract, and all of our communication via email.  How cool is that?!

How to Prepare for Your Newborn Photo Shoot
Dramatic Shadows

When Do I Contact You to let You know Our Baby Arrived?

If you are not booking a Maternity Photography Session with me, (which I HIGHLY recommend you DO! It’s just as important as your Newborn Pics!), I tell clients to contact me right from the hospital. Of course you will wait until things have calmed down a bit, but I remind newborn clients to send a quick text or email so that we can plan your new baby pictures accordingly. This allows time to prepare for your session so it can go as smoothly as possible.  My ideal range to photograph new babies is within the first ten days of lifeThis is when babies are still sleepy and curly and can be positioned from pose to pose with ease.  Of course EVERY baby is different, so the “ideal range” does not necessarily apply to everyone.  One example would be a premature newborn OR if a baby is cluster-feeding, then we suitably adjust the schedule.

How to Prepare for Your Newborn Photo Shoot
Sibling Love

What Happens Next?

I send you my Studio Guide with tips and tricks to help you get ready for your portraits. Some examples are I direct parents to (try to) keep baby awake leading up to your arrival to the studio, giving him or her a bath to remove flaky skin, and some other helpful pointers that will ensure your sessions goes smoothly.

How to Prepare for Your Newborn Photo Shoot
‘Froggy Pose’

What If I want Certain Newborn Poses?

You will quickly learn that these precious new babies run the show–with EVERY.THING.IN.LIFE. They run the show with sleeping (yours and theirs), with eating, with when you can shower–and yes, even with your Newborn Pictures. Because safety is my number ONE priority, I never push baby if he or she is not “feeling” a pose.  It’s best to go into a session with that in mind.  Don’t get me wrong, you can have expectations–but please don’t think a session is ruined if you don’t get a certain pose. It’s my job to capture the cuteness of your new baby and create pieces of art while doing so.

How to Prepare for Your Newborn Photo Shoot
Classic Black & White

Sessions are laid back and stress-free.  No joke–clients call me the Baby Whisperer–I’ve had three little ones of my own and many, MANY newborn photography sessions, so I know how calm your sweet baby. This is your time to sit back, relax, maybe read a magazine or up-date your status on social media. I can’t wait to capture your sweet little one! Interested in learning more? Let’s Chat!

Charlotte Newborn Photographer || Gastonia, NC || KatieRie Photography

Welcome to the WORLD, Baby Waylon!

Do you know why I truly love my job? As a newborn photographer, I get to capture the very first moments of life.  Those monumental moments where two parents are promoted from being a couple to a family; or those moments where the first born child becomes a sibling for the very first time. I get to capture life-changing stages so YOU can look back and savor the feeling you felt during that exact moment. Isn’t that amazing?!

Baby Waylon came to the studio to see me in the beginning of July.  Mom contacted me for a mini newborn photography session and I was so excited to get my hands on this sweet baby! Mom was referred to me by sweet baby Ellis’ mom–both boys’ moms work together and became first time moms within a few short months–how cool is that?! They have each other to text in the middle of the night during feeding sessions!

Charlotte Newborn Photographer || Gastonia, NC || KatieRie Photography
Charlotte Newborn Photography

Waylon’s mom wanted simple, fresh, and organic with a touch of drama–which describes my style exactly. I love focusing on the sweet details of the baby without pulling focus with huge hats or anything that would over-power baby’s features. Since Waylon’s gallery was a Classic (Mini) Session, his session lasted about an hour and there were a handful of beautiful set-ups.  Just look at the cuteness that was captured:

Charlotte Newborn Photographer || Gastonia, NC || KatieRie Photography
Charlotte Newborn Photographer|| KatieRie Photography

Waylon was so sweet and sleepy! We were able to get so many sweet images! I tell parents the most ideal time to capture newborns is within the first ten days of life.  This way babies are still sleepy and transition from pose to pose with ease. However, sometimes, babies go through periods of cluster feeding during this time period.  If this happens, we just push the photo shoot out a few days to allow time for baby time to adjust to efficiently eating.

Charlotte Newborn Photographer || Gastonia, NC || KatieRie Photography
Charlotte Newborn Photographer || KatieRie Photography

Isn’t he so sweet, cuddling that cute little bear? All my newborn props, wraps, bonnets, headbands, and outfits in the studio were handmade specifically for newborn photography–just like this little bear! I found him from an Etsy store called A Bit Of String–so cute, right?!

And finally our taste of drama…

Charlotte Newborn Photographer || Gastonia, NC || KatieRie Photography
Charlotte Newborn Photographer || KatieRie Photography
Charlotte Newborn Photographer || Gastonia, NC || KatieRie Photography
Charlotte Newborn Photographer || KatieRie Photography

What about you? Do you have questions about setting up a session? Let’s get a conversation going! I’d be happy to answer any of your questions.  I can’t wait to capture your life’s story.

Charlotte Newborn Photographer || KatieRie Photography

Welcome to the world, Baby Boy!

Sweet baby Mateo entered the world healthy and strong and ready to hit the ground running! Mom contacted me looking to book a Newborn Photography Session and I was SO happy to be able to fit them into the Studio for a mini session.  Just LOOK how adorable he is!  He had the sweetest little features! And I fell in LOVE with this wrap, layers and bowl by one of my favorite newborn photography vendors Luneberry Props! Thank goodness for prop sales (and extra storage)!

Charlotte Newborn Photographer || KatieRie Photography
Charlotte Newborn Photographer

Mini Session with KatieRie Photography

When a client reaches out wanting to book a newborn baby session with KatieRie, an investment guide is sent with a few packages for people to choose from.  Each of the packages include digital files (the amount depends on which package is chosen). I also provide rustic unique products that are handmade and sold exclusively to photographers.  This means that clients can beautifully decorate their home with gorgeous pieces of art from their session, with products that won’t be found in Hobby Lobby–(although…I DO have a strong obsession with all things Hobby Lobby).

Since Mateo’s mom only wanted a Mini Session, we focused on his cuteness only (no sibling or parent poses), with a handful of set-ups. Look at some of the adorable images that were captured during Mateo’s mini session!

Charlotte Newborn Photographer || KatieRie Photography
Charlotte Newborn Photographer

He had to most BEAUTIFUL SKIN!  This is a Newborn Photographer’s DREAM…

Charlotte Newborn Photographer || KatieRie Photography
Charlotte Newborn Photography

And of course we did the “Hanging Baby Pose,” which was requested (and I was only way too happy to oblige;)

Charlotte Newborn Photographer || KatieRie Photography
Charlotte Newborn Photography

Want to know more about the sessions and products offered by KatieRie Photography? Send me a quick note so we can see if we are a good fit!

Charlotte Newborn Photographer || KatieRie Photography

Welcome to the world, sweet Baby Jack!

As a newborn and baby photographer here in Charlotte, I LOVE connecting with people and hearing their stories.  When this momma contacted me, wanting to schedule a maternity and newborn session, I knew I wanted to capture this adorable growing family with the beautiful golden light for the maternity session, and I had a bunch of goodies up my sleeve for the newborn session as well. Just look at the warmth and love captured in the below photographs–isn’t mommy stunning?!

Charlotte Newborn Photographer || KatieRie PhotographyDuring the maternity session, mom shared with me that their precious baby was LONG awaited for.  Baby Jack was a rainbow baby.  Now, ALL babies are special and precious and perfect little miracles, but rainbow babies represent the promise of hope after a storm. I truly LOVE my job, but when I hear stories like this it takes the emotion to a whole new level.  I am extremely humbled and honored to be chosen to capture these special moments for families.

Charlotte Newborn Photographer || KatieRie Photography
Charlotte Maternity Photography

Rainbow Baby

Fast forward a few short weeks and I received word that baby Jack had made his entrance into this world! I couldn’t WAIT to get him into the Newborn Studio! As I stated before, I had many things planned for his special session. And he was so good to me…just look at the magical images that were captured…

Charlotte Newborn Photographer || KatieRie Photography
Charlotte Newborn Photographer

I knew I wanted to incorporate a rainbow theme (of course in a classic and timeless way), but I also wanted to incorporate the light and airy style as well–simple and clean.

Charlotte Newborn Photographer || KatieRie Photography
Charlotte Newborn Photographer
Charlotte Newborn Photographer || KatieRie Photography
Charlotte Newborn Photographer

There were also some extremely special FINE ART images I had in my mind that I wanted to include in the gallery:

Charlotte Newborn Photographer || KatieRie Photography

 

Charlotte Newborn Photographer || KatieRie Photography
Charlotte Newborn Photographer

 I am OBSESSED with the dark, dramatic shadows in all the black and white images!

Charlotte Newborn Photographer || KatieRie PhotographyWhen clients book their Newborn Sessions with KatieRie Photography, they choose between three packages.  Your proof gallery will be presented with MORE images than your package states, and then you get to choose your favorites (the amount depends on which package you choose) PLUS you have the option to purchase more files. Nine times out of ten, clients purchase more images.  Jack was SO ADORABLE in ALL of his images, mom and dad wanted ALL of his photographs.  This means their house will be FILLED with glorious images of this sweet little nugget.

Charlotte Newborn Photographer || KatieRie Photography
Charlotte Newborn Photographer

Charlotte Newborn Photographer || KatieRie PhotographySweet baby Jack, you are loved more than you know…

Charlotte Newborn Photographer || KatieRie Photography