how to choose your newborn baby photographer

Since the moment you found out you were expecting your precious baby, you have taken every precaution to keep them safe. You’ve researched the best car seats, cots & prams- so why wouldn’t you do the same for your newborn photography session?

As a mother to 2 children myself, I have experience dealing with newborns- particularly those who don’t like to sleep! I have spent the past 7 years photographing newborns in and around Sydney and take the safety of your baby seriously. When you book a mobile in home newborn photography session with Joy! Images you can rest assured your beautiful baby is in safe hands.

1. Safety

Posing- Sure, babies look so cute all curled up, but there is an art to ensuring baby is still comfortable and safe. Babies airways must be clear at all times. There are some positions which babies are just not designed to do. You may even look at some images and wonder how they were achieved safely- for me, it means creating a composite image (joining 2 or more photos together during edit) to ensure baby is fully supported at all times.

Cleanliness- As i am a mobile in home service i only shoot 1 session per day. This gives me the opportunity to throughly wash & sanitise all items used for your shoot. Even better- the shoot is done in your own home- meaning you don’t have to worry about who has been through the studio recently!

Immunisations- You’ve had all the required shots yourself- and maybe even asked close family members to be up to date- or not visit baby until they’ve had their 8wk shots. You can take comfort in knowing i am fully vaccinated against all the usual nasties, I get the whooping cough booster & yearly flu shot- as well as being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Should i have even the slightest sniffle in the led up to your session i will reschedule at no cost to you.

2. Style

Some people have a very clear idea of the style of newborn session they’d like, others are happy to go with the flow and let the photographer weave their magic.

My newborn sessions are typically styled/posed- meaning i have a selection of setups i do, utilising my collection of wraps and blankets. In an ideal world baby is asleep for most of it- this is where we get those gorgeous curled up sleepy shots. As a Western Sydney mobile in home photographer i don’t carry a large number of props to sessions with me, however i am able to create the same magic using digital backdrops in post production.

Lifestyle sessions are alot more relaxed and free flowing. You won’t generally see baby in the posed positions, but rather in their cot, or mum & dads arms. Natural light is mostly utilised for these types of sessions and B&W images feature strongly in this style of shoot.

3. pricing/budget

Newborn Photography sessions can vary greatly in price. Ultimately you have your budget and that may dictate the photographer you choose to book. I try to ensure my pricing allows everyone a chance to get some great newborn photos- no matter their budget.

All my packages are digital with print release- meaning you view your images online & once you’ve chosen & paid for your package you can download the files to your computer and get as many copies as you like printed- wherever you like! You don’t need to choose your package until you’ve seen your edited gallery either- so no pressure! Once you’ve paid you’re images are available to download within a few hours!

Other photographers offer IPS (in person sales) - whereby you return to their studio to view the images and decide on your packages then. Some offer print packages only, others digital options. Getting out of the house with a new baby is always a task, so my aim is to make it as easy as possible for the mums of Western Sydney in those early weeks.

4. location

Taking your brand new baby out in the car can be a daunting experience, so the location of your newborn photographer may play a role in your decision on who to choose. Your baby may fall asleep in the car on the drive to the studio- leaving them more alert for the session (ideally we want them sleepy). Some families are happy to travel a distance to secure their dream photographer, others prefer the convenience of someone local.

The great news is my sessions are all done in the safety and comfort of your own home! I travel to homes around Western Sydney, Penrith, The Blue Mountains and Hills District. You get to sit back and relax whilst i take care of your baby for a few hours. I supply everything we’ll need (except the baby) - and all i need is a small area to work in, close to a powerpoint. During the winter months i bring a small heater to ensure baby is kept nice and cosy at all times.

So there you have it- there’s a few factors to take into consideration when researching newborn photographers. Ultimately, you need to choose someone you feel can provide a safe and comfortable environment for your precious new baby.

If you’d like to know more- get in touch i’d love to capture your brand new baby!