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!

How to Prep for a Maternity Shoot

Beautiful Mommy-to-be

As a Charlotte Maternity Photographer, I get asked multiple questions as to how to prepare for their session. This gorgeous first-time mommy contacted me earlier this summer wanting to set up a maternity, a newborn and some milestone sessions for her precious bundle due late August.  Like many first-time moms, she had some questions for her photo shoots–specifically her first session with me–her maternity photos.  She wanted to know what she should wear, when the session will take place,  and a few other details leading up to her shoot.  Ding, Ding, Ding! What a perfect blogpost idea! So many new mommies have the same questions!

How to Prep for a Maternity Shoot
Charlotte Maternity Photographer

WHEN should I book my Maternity Photos?

Ideally, it’s best to reach out to book your maternity photo shoot early in your pregnancy.  That way we can pencil in your session date (as well as your due date!) so we can guarantee a slot.  Maternity sessions are best around 30-34 weeks when you still have energy, a “skip in your step,” and your belly is big and round enough to capture the beauty of pregnancy.  You are also not too uncomfortable yet (ugh! swollen feet!!) and you still have that pregnancy glow.  Sessions take place about an hour before sunset to truly capture that golden light, which really makes the photographs pop.

Take a look at the gorgeousness captured during Golden Hour of one of my stunning maternity clients and her hubs–isn’t she BEAUTIFUL?!:

How to Prep for a Maternity Shoot
Charlotte Sunset Photography

WHAT should I wear to my Maternity Session?

This is your time to feel pampered and beautiful. It’s your time to celebrate this new life growing in your belly! The newborn session is mostly about baby, but this maternity session is all about YOU.  Get your hair and nails done, find gorgeous accessories that make you feel like the goddess you are, splurge on that dress you saw on Pinterest! Celebrate this intimate time between you and your loved one while you get ready to welcome baby into this new adventure called life. I personally love the more form-fitted dresses to help showcase that growing bump and I’m also a HUGE fan of the bohemian look with braids, floral crowns and comfy gladiator sandals. Bottom line–you do YOU and let me capture the rest!

Where the heck do I find a Maternity outfit?!

I’m SO glad you asked! LOL! Thankfully, with the internet the way it is, we have EVERYTHING at our fingertips. The beautiful mommy photographed below in the white dress, found her gown on Amazon! She searched “Maternity photography dresses” and found the one she ended up wearing–absolutely STUNNING!

How to Prep for a Maternity Shoot
Maternity Gowns

I have a stash of beautiful floral crowns for clients to use, otherwise there are tons of amazing finds on Etsy! There are also a few great sites (other than Amazon) to either purchase or rent a maternity gown. Check out my Pinterest board to get some ideas and inspiration. Asos has really cute maternity dresses that are gorgeous for shoots. I also suggest looking at Mama Bump Rentals where you can rent stunning gowns at a fraction of the price as well as Maternity Wear Boutique, which has amazing sales on a daily basis. Another one of my FAVS is Cora and Violet — these ladies are photographers as well and branched out into the “photography fashion” industry because there was a huge need for it! These dresses are limited edition and made with beautiful chic fabric that will look gorgeous on everyone!

Bottom Line

Enjoy this time! Your body is doing a miraculous thing–it’s growing a human being! I realize you might not feel like yourself, I get that.  I had three babies in under three years–I was SO OVER PREGNANCY.  But I tried my best to remind myself of this truly amazing gift growing inside me and how amazing it is to document this chapter in life. I can’t wait to capture this moment for you. This is the start of your family in the making…I’m honored to be a part of it.

Are YOU expecting a tiny bundle?! Let’s chat!

How to Prep for a Maternity Shoot
Growing Family–Intimate and Beautiful

How to Prep for a Maternity ShootHow to Prep for a Maternity Shoot

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.