QUESTIONS TO ASK A NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER BEFORE BOOKING

If you’re a parent or soon-to-be parent who is in the process of finding a newborn photographer to book a session for when your little one arrives, you might be feeling that the process is a bit overwhelming.  I completely understand!  Not only do photographers each have their own unique vision and style, they may also vary a great deal in pricing, offerings, location, skill level, etc.  

I think the easy part is finding an artist whose work you love. When you see their portraits and gasp, or can’t stop staring at them, there’s a good chance you’ve found the artist whose work truly speaks to you!  Once you’ve found that, however, there are a few important questions to ask that photographer to prior to booking. These questions should give you an idea of the breadth of knowledge the photographer has regarding newborn health and safety, as well as their expertise in handling newborns, and skillfully photographing them during a photo session.  

4 important questions to ask your newborn photographer before booking!

1. How do you handle and pose baby?

Every newborn photographer has a different style, and each photographs babies in their own way.  However, there are trends in the industry of certain types of images- with baby posed a certain way- that seem to gain popularity among parents. Like baby posed in the “froggy” position, posed in a swing or other object that appears suspended, posed upright like a “potato sack…”  But HOW does the photographer actually capture baby this way? 

Though sleeping babies can safely be moved and guided into certain positions (e.g. laying them on a flat surface and tucking their hands under their chin) any movements of baby’s body should be gentle, and ONLY done with ease.  Babies should never be forced into unnatural positions, positions that can increase their risk of asphyxiation, or positions in which they could startle or fall and become injured.  

Compositing images for safety

Likewise, photographers should NEVER attempt one of the aforementioned poses without baby being supported by a spotter (assistant or parent).  A baby should NEVER be allowed to “sit” upright in a vertical position with having their head held gently in place (to create two images to composite in post-processing).  And babies should NEVER be suspended in any object without being fully supported, with the object resting on a surface the entire time.

For my OWN session, I place babies that are awake on a flat surface and capture them exactly how they are.  If their arms and legs are moving around quickly (and blocking their face) I will gently swaddle their arms/legs so that they are still and secure and so I can capture their expressions.  If babies are sleeping soundly, I will either capture them swaddled in a prop, wrapped on my flat poser, or photograph them  in the position they seem to prefer. Some babies like to scrunch up- as if they’re doing crunches in a workout! For those babes, I’llwrap their limbs close to their body where they seem to prefer them.  Other babies like to stretch their arms overhead or stick their legs out straight! Those babies usually easily lay on their sides or perhaps their tummies.  I can “feel” the way babies prefer to move when I’m holding them!  So, I always pay attention to baby’s cues and pose them very gently in a way that lets me beautifully capture their little features. 

“Un”posing

Also, some photographers claim they only do “unposed” newborn photography.  That’s totally fine! But if this is the case, you might ask the photographer HOW they will capture your baby…  Can you expect any photos showing their fingers or toes? Will they always been swaddled or covered up? Will they capture photos of their face without anything obstructing it? Will they only capture baby while he or she is held by a parent? 

2. Are you up to date on your vaccinations? (Specifically against Pertussis)

No, this isn’t to get all political. (Though I will say that vaccines should never be political.😉) But when closely handling someone else’s newborn child, it is of the upmost importance that newborn photographers are NOT exposing that newborn to potentially deadly illnesses. Covid-19- thankfully- hasn’t been a significant threat to infants’ health, unlike older adults. There are still many illnesses, however, that ARE. And one that still exists and can be easily passed from infected individual to infants is Pertussis or Whooping Cough. And sadly, Infants are more likely to die from complications due to Pertussis than older babies or children. And since their first vaccine (DTaP) dose isn’t administered until 2 months of age, they rely on immunity from their family and those around them to be safe from infection. 

Pertussis boosters

Boosters for pertussis are readily available for adults. And according the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tdap boosters should be administered to pregnant women as well as those that care for newborns.  Newborn photographers- given the close contact they have with newborns for several hours-should be considered in this category, and should be up-to-date with a Pertussis booster for the safety of the newborns they work with. 

Likewise, most photographers in the industry have now adopted the policy of wearing a mask when photographing newborns. I myself continue to wear a mask, because it’s erring on the side of caution… and when we’re working with someone else’s baby, that’s always the best side to be on! 🙂

For more information on the pertussis vaccine, consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention here. 

3. How is your studio cleaned in between clients?

Though I have always made sanitation a priority since I opened my studio, the pandemic certainly gave us a new outlook on cleaning and sanitizing public areas!

Areas in a newborn photography studio that are used by or accessible to clients should have surfaces (chairs, tables, counters, handles, switches) sanitized in between every session, as well as floors cleaned, restrooms properly cleaned and disinfected, and studio props and fabrics washed and sanitized ANY time they are used.  

Studio equipment should also be sanitized between every session!  I use alcohol wipes to sanitize my cameras, lenses, white noise machine, studio light, light stand, wipes containers I may use during a session, and my phone. 

And it should go without saying, but photographers should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water (and dry with a paper towel or clean towel) before handling baby.  And hand sanitizer should be used regularlay from that point on anytime hands could become contaminated, such as after touching one’s face or nose, after diapering, after touching a trash can.

Likewise, a simple sanitizing spray- like the dilute bleach solution used in child care centers (1 tbs bleach: 1 gallon water)- can be used to sanitize non-porous props or toys. All fabrics that touch baby should be washed and sanitized after every use. And in the client area, don’t forget the coffeemakers! They should be regularly cleaned (approx. every month) by using white vinegar through a brewing cycle.

4. What do you do if baby is fussing/crying?  

Most newborns, if they have a full tummy and a clean diaper, will probably sleep the majority of their session. But if not, that’s ok!  I have many years of experience soothing fussy babies, and I won’t lie: snuggling a sweet newborn is NOT a difficult part of my job!  😛 Oftentimes, babies might fuss for very simple reasons that I can attend to: If baby has a dirty diaper, I can change it!  If they seem to want to suck to self-soothe, I can offer them a pacifier with parents’ permission. (And yes, I even keep new, sterilized pacifiers in a jar if one is needed!)  If they just want a snuggle, I can wrap them, bounce and sway, pat or burp them, shush them, stroke their foreheads… all of the little tricks of the trade that have helped me calm babies for the past decade of shooting. 

However, every once in a while, newborns might cry without wanting any of these things. That’s when I hand them over for some momma snuggles!  Usually a quick nursing session or just a cuddle with mom seems to settle them right down. And in my studio, there is a couch in the shooting area and also a private client lounge just for that.  

The most important thing for a photographer to do is not only be able to soothe baby if they’re a bit unsettled, but to be able to read baby’s cues and bring them to mom or dad when necessary. And I always let parents know that though I love snuggling babies, I can hand over their little one any time they want to nurse or soothe them on their own. 😉