Don’t Miss Out: Addressing the 8 Common Reasons Why People Don’t Book Their Newborn Photo Session

From choosing your birth plan, getting the nursery ready, purchasing all the baby things, packing your hospital bag, and more — there is much to do during pregnancy.

Many people also book a maternity photo shoot to celebrate this moment in time. But what about after your baby is here? Should you book a newborn photo session with a professional photographer as well?

Over the years, I’ve had the incredible privilege of helping countless families capture and celebrate their various special moments, milestones, and celebrations — including pregnancies, births, first birthdays, family reunions, and all things in between. And I have loved every minute of it!

Interacting with hundreds of families has also given me a unique insight into why some people opt out of getting professional newborn photos taken and how they later end up regretting that.

So, if you’re on the fence about booking a newborn photography session for your family, I hope this article will help you work through some of your concerns and reservations so you, too, can avoid any regrets in the future.

Here are eight common reasons people talk themselves out of getting professional newborn photos done.

1. We Can Do a Newborn Photo Shoot Ourselves

Most of us have access to a camera phone and the ability to take good-quality photos. In fact, I guarantee you will have hundreds (if not thousands) of such photos — everything babies do is adorable!

However, these photos will be no match to those done by a professional photographer who took years to develop their skill. During your newborn photo shoot, a photographer will:

• Provide creative props and baby outfits — you won’t need to spend time and money doing so.
• Beautifully wrap and style your baby — we know the proper angles and posing techniques.
• Know how to catch those perfect moments — even if your baby (aka the new “boss” of the family!) isn’t in a good mood.
• Professionally edit your photos — resulting in flawless images for printing and displaying on your walls or using as wallpaper on your phones and computers.

Even if you feel like you’ve planned ahead, you might be in a different headspace once your baby is born.

Speaking from my experience as a mother of three boys, I found it challenging to find moments for a newborn session with my babies and have hired other photographers for this.

2. I Don’t Think I Am Going to Like Myself in Photos After Giving Birth

Many mothers feel self-conscious about how they will appear in photos after giving birth. Your body goes through many changes during and after pregnancy, and you might not feel like yourself for a while, which is perfectly normal!

However, your body has done an amazing thing — it has created life, and you are beautiful!

The truth is that our self-perception tends to change over time.  I remember feeling very self-conscious during the newborn photo sessions of my own three children. However, reflecting on those photos now (14+ years later), I think I looked great (dare I say, amazing!) and am so glad I didn’t pass on the opportunity to book a newborn session with a professional photographer because of my own insecurities. My family and I cherish these beautiful photos.

It’s important to remember that these photo sessions are meant to document your life authentically, so all you have to do is be yourself! It is what gives your photographs true value and meaning.

But if you’re still not swayed, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• The main focus of a newborn photo session is your baby. That being said, as the baby’s parent(s), you should be included in the photos.
• If you have any specific concerns or areas you feel self-conscious about, the photographer will work with you to avoid or minimize them during posing or editing.
• If you can’t bring yourself around to being in the photos, that’s okay. We can focus primarily on the baby and only partially include you (like only your hands, for example).

Here are some examples of how I partially include a parent in newborn photos:

Being honest with your photographer about your insecurities is a small trade-off to getting photos you will treasure for years to come.

3. We Didn’t Know We Had to Book in Advance, and Now Our Photographer Is Not Available

Let’s be honest: with all you have to do during pregnancy, booking a newborn photoshoot may not have been at the top of your list. Or maybe you didn’t know that a newborn photo session is supposed to take place within the first few weeks of your baby’s birth.

It happens, and it’s ok.

The downside is that if you wait until the last minute (or when the baby is actually born), the photographer you hoped for may not be available. Most photographers only book a specific number of newborn sessions per month, and they do their best to get these scheduled in advance.

However, if the photographer you originally wanted isn’t available, don’t be discouraged — reach out to other photographers in your area. This will only take a little bit of your time, and definitely worth the memorable photos you will have in the future!

If you’re in the Seattle area and you haven’t booked a newborn photoshoot, even if your baby is already here, please reach out to me to see if I have any availability. I know what these photos will mean to your family, so I will do my best to fit you in.

4. We May Be Too Tired and Won’t Want to Travel to a Studio After Birth

All the pregnancy/parenting books and blogs out there prepare you not only for the joys that accompany your baby’s arrival but also the possible not-so-fun moments — the throw-ups, hundreds of daily diaper changes, crying, sleepless nights, etc.

In other words, you might be exhausted, and the last thing you want to do is travel to a studio.

The good news is, you don’t have to — some photographers offer in-home newborn sessions and will come to you! This is something that I offer as well.

In-home sessions are less posed and have a natural feel — beautifully capturing the early days of a family’s life with a new baby. This will also give you great photos of that cute nursery you’ve worked so hard to create!

Here are a few examples from my in-home newborn photo shoot:

I also offer the option to include posed baby shots with props as an add-on to the session, for which I will bring the necessary props and equipment.

However, it’s important to remember that whether you book a studio or in-home photo session, you don’t have to get it done right away! Newborn photoshoots can be done up to three weeks after the baby is born — hopefully giving you time to settle in and start getting used to your new normal.

5. We Think a Newborn Photoshoot Will Be Too Much Hassle and Challenging to Pull Off

Generally, it’s impossible to predict how your first few weeks with a new baby will unfold, so it’s understandable that you might feel like adding a photo session into the mix might be too much. Especially if this will be your first baby or you had a difficult pregnancy.

But this is why working with an experienced photographer is a huge benefit — they take much of the hassle and guesswork out of preparing for your newborn photo session.

If you choose me as your photographer, here are some things I do to help you feel at ease before, during, and after your newborn photo session:

• I will send you a detailed prep guide well in advance with recommendations and tips on what to wear, how to prep the baby, and what to bring.
• My approach to newborn photography is more natural, so outfits don't have to be complicated, and you can just be yourself. Plus, your perfect little baby is the shining star of this photoshoot and will take up most of the space in photos.
• I will do most of the baby handling and posing during the photo session. I will also guide and direct you the entire time. In other words, I got you!

6. We Think It’s Too Expensive

When added to all the other expenses that come with having a baby, getting newborn photos done professionally may seem like an unnecessary splurge.

Professional newborn photography isn’t cheap, but it has tremendous value.

Even though the perception of value varies from person to person, we can probably all agree that the most valuable thing in life is time — once it’s gone, you can never get it back. What is a photograph if not a frozen moment in time?

The first few weeks of your baby’s life are special — their first yawns, sleepy smiles, hunger frowns, cute burps, tinniest fingers and toes — but very brief.

A professional photographer will work with you to paint and capture this momentous time for your family using their creative perspective and artistic lens.

The ultimate goal is to make the experience of a newborn photo session stress-free, easy-going, and enjoyable for you, but in reality, there is a lot more that goes on behind the scenes to make this happen.

A photographer has put in years of experience perfecting their craft and talent, learning about the correct angles, camera lenses, and lighting, purchasing accessories and equipment, putting together sets and props — the list goes on. After your session, the photographer will spend additional hours going through the hundreds of photos they have taken in order to choose the perfect images to edit and present to you.

Each photo will be a piece of art that your photographer used their aesthetic talent, equipment, and hard work to create. These photographs will become some of your most cherished possessions for many years to come.

“You get what you pay for” reigns true when it comes to professional photography, and in my experience (as well as feedback from hundreds of clients), booking a newborn photography session will most definitely be worth the cost.

In addition, most photographers (myself included) offer several newborn photography packages, giving you the option to choose a more budget-friendly one.

Here are a few examples from my Newborn Mini Session, which is more affordable:

7. We Don’t Want to Expose Our Newborn Baby to Germs

Ultimately, you must do what is best for your family and what feels right for you. Especially if your baby receives specific instructions from your doctor — you should follow them.

However, if your baby is healthy and you still have reservations about exposure, I take every precaution to minimize the spread of germs during our photography session, ensuring that:

• My hands are thoroughly washed before handling your baby.
• My clothing is fresh and put on right before the session begins. I can also wear a N95 mask upon your request.
• My equipment is sanitized before each session.
• Every fabric the baby comes in contact with undergoes a thorough washing.
• I only do one newborn session per day.

8. We Didn’t Book in Time, and Now My Baby Is No Longer a Newborn

The optimal time for a newborn photography session is when your baby is a “super sleeper” — typically within the first few weeks of birth.

However, if you are just catching your breath after the whole birthing and welcoming a new baby experience, and your baby is now more than 3–4 weeks old, it’s totally fine, you can still have a newborn-like session!

Babies can be unpredictable at any age, and I’ve had many photo sessions with babies older than one month who sleep better than 5-day-old ones, and the photographs turned out so precious.

But, even if your baby isn’t as sleepy as a newborn would be, imagine the cute and silly open-eyed shots we can get! There are so many adorable posing opportunities for older babies and their families.

Here are a few examples from my newborn photo shoots with older babies:

Now It’s Your Turn

The arrival of a child into the world is a remarkable thing — an accomplishment on your part that should be celebrated and documented with a professional photo shoot. God knows you deserve it!

While the reasons mentioned above are valid concerns, if you overcome them, you will have photos you will treasure for many years to come. Spending a little time with a photographer is a small trade-off for memories that last a lifetime. And I have yet to meet a family that regrets getting a newborn session.

As a professional photographer, I aim to make my newborn photo sessions enjoyable and hassle-free for you, and I hope you consider booking one!

Next steps:

• See my newborn portfolio
• Learn more about my newborn services
• Book your newborn photo shoot