Why Newborn Photography Requires Planning
A photo of your newborn is a wonderful way to start off a baby book or scrapbook of your child's early years. If you want a professional photo of your newborn, however, you have to realize it's not as simple as calling a studio on a random day and walking in. You've got to schedule ahead and choose the setting carefully.
There May Be a Minimum and Maximum Age
Some photographers put limits on who qualifies as a newborn. The numbers vary, but the range usually goes from just under a week old to a couple of weeks old, which is not long at all. However, some photographers may have shorter or longer age ranges. This range exists because that period of time is when the child is still in that sleepy, less energetic state. Once they start getting a bit older is when they start to squirm more, which doesn't help the photographer.
How Do You Want Your Child to Feel About the Photo Later?
Some newborn photography is fairly plain and focuses only on the child, while other backdrops and settings are more whimsical. Think about how you want your child to feel about the photos when they've grown up and are an adult. (Don't worry about what they'll think as a teen since teens are generally embarrassed by any "this is you as an infant" talk, no matter what the picture looks like.) If you had a picture of yourself as a newborn in the setting you are thinking of selecting, and your parents showed the picture to other people, how embarrassed or happy would you be? If you'd be embarrassed, choose another setting for your newborn's photo.
The Photographer May Have Feeding and Sleeping Instructions
A newborn isn't exactly going to be jumping around, obviously, but the child still has feelings and reactions that could interfere with the photo shoot. At this point in the child's life, these have mainly to do with feedings and sleep, and timing these around the photo shoot is vital to not having the child screaming or crying as the photographer tries to get a picture. The photographer may actually have instructions for when to feed the child and when to let them sleep before the photo shoot appointment. Follow these instructions as best you can. Your newborn might be unpredictable, but you should be able to follow the instructions to an extent.
The days after giving birth are busy enough, but make time to set up an appointment for a photo shoot as soon as the child is born. Appointment times fill up fast, and the limited number of weeks that your child qualifies as a newborn means you can't wait and hope to walk in. Once you get the appointment time, you'll be able to get those pictures and start making memories with your new baby.
For more information, contact a newborn photographer in your area such as Joanna Andres Photography