1. Newborn Photographers vary drastically. Here are a few points to consider:
POSING
Have you ever caught yourself on one of those security camera monitors? Or glance over to a mirror you didn’t know was there? You see yourself and you immediately correct something. Our natural stance often leaves something to be desired. That’s posing. But for the professional photographer we need look every tiny detail. No one wants to hang a nice canvas in their home that has some glaring posing mistake. Here are the most common corrections… bad posture, double chins, wide arms, tense shoulders stiff by the ears, fake smiles, crooked jewelry, bra straps showing, crooked wardrobe, hair doing something funky, and about a hundred other subtle adjustments that make a world of difference.
Many times photographers either don’t notice the problems while they are still shooting, they don’t care quite enough to fix each problem, or worse, they see the problem but don’t know how to fix it without being awkward.
Speaking of awkward…
WEIRDOS
One of the most important things I’ve seen photographers have or lack having is likability! Can you believe that?! Think about it. If the people in the hot seat like their photographer, trust her, and even think she’s funny, the expressions on their faces are bright and genuine. Conversely if the photographer makes them uncomfortable in any way, their faces look forced or fake, and certainly not a warm as they could be.
It’s very important to feel comfortable with the person making photographs of your family. No pregnant mother wants a weirdo (no matter how genius) as their maternity photographer. No mom wants a crazy person around their shy child, and no dad wants a photographer who seems completely unaware of how they are perceived.
WORKING WITH CHILDREN
Circling back to posing… children are a delightful wild card. All the posing expertise in the world can fly right out the window when toddlers are involved. So what then? Give up on posing? Shoot a million frames a *hope* something is usable? No. My personal approach is this: I get them in position and fulling knowing they fidget and squirm I use that to the session’s advantage. We maintain 100% patience with the little ones, and keep the mood light and calm the whole time. Threats, bribes, screens, and negotiations invite a train wreck. The best way to get amazing images is to work with what kids can give you and patiently and happily persevere.
EXPERIENCE
lens choice, education, lighting,
FINAL IMAGE QUALITY
This one is subtle. There is a very noticeable difference in quality as it appears on a screen, verses in print. When you see an image that you hold in your hand on a screen, you really would never see if it has really poor image quality. One of the ugly corners photographers often cut to keep their cost down is in this topic. Some photographers do what’s known as “running an action” on the images they give the client. This means the images are not treated individually. This means that all areas of the image that the computer thinks is skin is smoothed, or “airbrushed” to borrow the old-school term. The problem is, it’s FAKE. You can see it! The up site for the photographer is it take virtually no time to do this to 100 images. The down side is, the human decision is removed. There are dozens of little judgement calls I make when I hand-retouch each purchased image. There are hours of care in preparing the images that my clients order. This level of attention to detail is very time-consuming, but very necessary if I call myself a professional.
So therein lies the dirty little secret. Many many many photographers say they “retouch” or “edit” all their images, when all the while they are running a preset on everything and not actually giving care to individual images.
You probably find out about photographers a bunch of different ways… Word of Mouth, Social Media, a Google search, or you might have even seen newborn images you love at your last prenatal appointment. (You might have seen mine at UK Midwife Clinic, PAA, Baby Belly Pregnancy Spa, and other OBGYN offices in Lexington.)
Let me encourage you to look carefully… when you are researching photographers, ask yourself if you think the photographer strives for excellence in every session? Does he or she pay attention to small details?
(That will be especially important when it’s you in front of the camera… In your photographs, if you see a double chin, a piece of hair laying weird, the buttons on your husband’s shirt parting, or your smile looks tired and forced… it’ll bug every time you look at your pictures. Paying attention to details is extremely important in every single session. Some natural positions can be very unflattering. Posing with extreme care can make a world of difference.
You can see my recent work here on my site… Maternity Gallery, Newborn Gallery
Even the very best photographers will be imperfect, and even the really young ones can be sort of lucky from time to time, but so many of the photographers are just simply not yet seasoned to notice these details. Also, many are too lazy to really care much. It takes session after session of learning from mistakes to learn to look for unflattering spots, and have the poise and know-how to correct them before they are photographed. I have certainly not “arrived,” but with almost 2 decades of professional photography under my belt, it means I’m not “practicing” on my paying clients.
2. You can’t redo a newborn session…
Everyone knows someone with a wedding photographer horror story. They’re easy to come by, and why wouldn’t the be? Most people are not excited about the price tag, everyone seems to have a friend who is a “photographer”… so in the effort to get a steal, the young bride hires the buddy with the new, expensive camera. That’s where the horror comes in. Big important day + amateur photographer friend = Bride wishes she sprung for the professional photographer.
Newborn photography isn’t much different. Did you know newborn sessions are best shot at within a tiny window of about a 5-9 days old, and at 14 days that precious window has closed? (more on that here) So, by the time you get to see your images, your chance for a redo is long gone. It’s extremely important to get it right the first time!
this one might just be the most important…
3. Professionals vary on price
Photography is not mechanical. It’s not a matter of a job done well, or a job done poorly. It’s more of a question of beauty and emotion. If you were shopping for a commodity, then sure, shop based on price. But you are not, otherwise you’d be all set with your selfies from the hospital.
Some budding young image makers treat themselves like they are running a widget factory… Just crank out as many widgets as possible, post their portfolio to a pretty website, advertise like crazy on social media, and price themselves as competitively as the can, and watch the moms come running. I’m tired just thinking about it! They do scores, if not hundreds of mini sessions a year. Their post production usually looks they only batch-edited the images and ran the gamut of images through facial retouching software. Then their clients are given a hundred images, none of which are really amazing enough to make large wall art with.
That’s a very general, very grim outlook on some photographers, I admit. But, the heartbreaking part of it is it has nothing to do with their talent. Some of these people are so stinkin’ talented, but throughout the process they forget about the person at whom they point their camera.
You, friend, do not want one hundred images where you look
4. The early bird gets the worm
Not that I’m calling myself a worm, but if it’s important to you that you reserve a certain newborn photographer, then do that ASAP. I have a cap on the number of sessions I choose to take each month. This post explains when you need to reserve your newborn session. The reason you reserve your photographer this early because we shoot the session so soon after your baby is born. If you wait until baby is here, you are making a gamble that probably won’t work out so well.
CONTACT ME to get on my calendar and reserve your session!
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5. Would you like your newborn photographer to also be your maternity photographer?
Pregnancy photography, to me, is about love, beauty, and intimacy. Two become one, and baby makes three. Many of my maternity sessions involve a LOT of dad. It’s not just about mom’s round belly that we focus on during the session, but it’s their relationship that is the true subject.
Most of my maternity clients come to me for my specific style of shooting maternity images. For my more ‘intimate’ images, I am careful to keep mom as beautiful as her husband sees her. Yes, she has probably gained a bunch of weight at this point, and we’re not able to use creative wardrobe to mask that. I only use my light and shadow and careful posing to keep the extra weight from getting in the way.
And not all my clients really want intimate maternity images. Plenty of women are much lighter in their goal. These clients are hanging colorful, fun images in the nursery and living room. I love both ends of the spectrum, and the majority of my clients do both during the maternity session.
See this info on my maternity sessions
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6. If props are important to you..
A seasoned newborn photographer has tons of props, however there is always that one small thing that mom would like for the session that is very specific. If that’s you, you do not have to be limited to JUST what your photographer owns. You can order your very own perfect pieces now. Some of the best boutiques for newborn props, bows, headbands, and costumes are on Etsy, and my favorite, No2 Willow Lane Boutique. You’ll want to line them up right away. (Don’t forget, babies can come early. 😉 )
BUT! What if you don’t need the props after your session???… 😎 Check this great deal Willow Lane and I have partnered to bring you.
RECAP
Helpful links for the preggo momma…
When you need to SCHEDULE your newborn session
INVESTMENT PAGE…. session fees, and other pricing
Robin Allen Photography newborn gallery
Robin Allen Photography maternity gallery
contact information for Robin Allen Photography
Ordering Props from No2 Willow Lane
Baby’s First Year Photography Membership