Bree Hulme

Choosing Your Newborn Photographer

"That it will never come again, is what makes life so sweet."

~ Emily Dickinson

The newborn stage is so very fleeting, and often so blurred with sleep haze and overwhelm. Choosing to have a newborn shoot is an investment in your family and your memories. It will be a way to look back at this time in your newborns life, when they are so tiny, so new and all the emotions that come with new life and new parenthood. These images will last more than a lifetime, and they will still make you smile years later.

Every day your newborn baby changes and grows. Their little toes get bigger, their cheeks start to fill out and they generally lose that fresh newborn look. This is why it’s so important to capture these moments with the right photographer for you. There are a range of newborn photographers out there, all with slightly different styles and approaches to what they do.

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the options, so I’ve written a few questions that you can ask yourself to help make your decision easier.

Do you love their work?

If you can imagine a photographer’s work displayed on your own walls, then they’re the right fit for you. After all, you wouldn’t purchase a piece of art that you didn't like! Look at their lighting, the colours that they use and the style of the images. Ask yourself if you can imagine these photos still on your wall in 20 years’ time - are they timeless? Imagine your family in these photos and if you feel inspired, find out more!

At Bree Hulme Photography, I focus on using whites and other natural colours, with minimal props to ensure that your baby is the focus of every image. Giving you timeless pieces of art for your home.

Newborn safety and comfort

A professional newborn photographer will know how to handle your newborn safely and have all of the skills needed to create a set of beautiful images of your family. It’s good to look through their portfolio and ask yourself, ‘does this baby look comfortable?’ If the answer is yes, then it’s likely that they are experienced and know exactly how to capture your baby at this age. If the babies look uncomfortable, with screwed up hands and limbs forced into awkward positions - they may not be the right photographer for you.

Ask your photographer about how they run their sessions. Does every baby get put in the same position regardless of their comfort and positional preferences? Every newborn has slightly different preferences about how they like their bodies, often this is reflective of their position in the womb- do they like their head to the left or right, are they comfortable on their tummy?

At Bree Hulme Photography I achieve my images with a baby-led-approach. We are led by your babies preferences, pace and needs. If they don't like their tummy that is ok, we focus on images with them comfortable on their back. If they prefer their head in a certain direction then we rotate them to suit their comfort. Every baby is different and we move slowly to make sure they are content and happy.

I do not do constructed newborn poses, as I don’t think it’s natural to see your baby propped up on their hands or sat bolt upright. Although some photographers do these poses well, they’re just not for me.

Are they passionate about what they do?

When you talk to a photographer, you’ll be able to tell whether they are passionate about what they do. Whether it’s in person, over the phone or via email, they will tell you everything you need to know, answer all of your questions and put your mind at ease. It’s essential to find someone who is completely transparent about their pricing, as you wouldn’t want to be surprised with any unexpected costs.

As well as being passionate, it’s crucial to find someone who is also professional. They will be able to show you a varied portfolio with lots of different babies, and have reviews from previous clients for you to read. If they don’t have all of these things then steer clear - don’t waste this precious time in your life on someone’s hobby.

Have they been recommended?

You wouldn’t hand your newborn baby over to a stranger, so it’s important to choose a photographer that has either been recommended by a friend, or who has plenty of reviews that you can read online. Don’t be afraid to ask questions - a professional photographer will be happy to answer them all and put your mind at ease. It’s ideal to find someone who is not only good at what they do, but is someone who you are drawn to as a person.

At Bree Hulme Photography, people arrive at my studio as clients and leave as friends. For me, it’s important to build a good relationship with my clients in order to provide them with the best experience possible - both at their shoot and in the future.

How would you like to display your images?

These days, digital images are increasingly popular. You may think that this is what you’d like to take away from your session, but consider this - what if in years to come, your files become corrupted and you can’t open them, or they end up on devices that become useless over time (anyone remember floppy disks?!).

After your newborn session, it’s important to ask yourself how you’d like to display your images. Do you want them on the wall for all to see, or would you prefer an album that you can pass round your friends and family? Ensure that your photographer offers the product that you would like at a high quality, as your images will last for generations to come.

As a society, we’re in danger of having children with no printed record of their lives (see this amazing project by Julia Boggio here). We take so many photos, but they stay on our phones and other devices. Imagine the difference it will make to your child if they grow up surrounded by photos of their family - showing them how much they are loved every day, just by seeing their photos on the wall.

How much are your images worth?

There are a range of prices that you can pay for newborn photography. The newborn stage is so fleeting that you can’t afford to choose a sub-standard photographer based solely on price. By the time you’ve received your images back, it’s too late to re-shoot if you’re disappointed. It’s a moment in time that you’ll never get back, so it’s worth investing in something that you know you will love.

Professional photography can be expensive, but this is because most of the work is done when you’re not there. From all of the training, to equipment & studio costs and all of the behind-the-scenes work - everything takes time. It takes years for a photographer to get to a place where they’re confident in the service they provide, and can really put their clients’ needs first by creating a relaxing experience in what is otherwise an intense time in their lives.

While money can’t buy happiness, it can buy quality. Choosing to have a newborn shoot is an investment in your memories. These images will last more than a lifetime, and when your children show them to their children, they will still make you smile all those years later.

At Bree Hulme Photography I have over 10 years of experience as a newborn and family photographer, I am a mother of 3 and aunt to 9.

Don’t let these precious moments pass you by. It’s recommended to book your newborn shoot whilst you’re still pregnant to ensure that your photographer is available around your due date. For more information on the shoot experience, please get in touch.

by Bree Hulme