Choosing a Newborn Photographer- What are my options? | St. Louis Newborn Photographer | Love to the Moon Photography

I am always seeing parents to be posting on local Saint Louis  mom groups on social media looking for a photographer in their area to capture their maternity and newborn photos. Photographers come out of the wood works here as STL Newborn Photographers offering their services, which is fine because are all unique and different in their styles, methods, and more. It is easy to see how this quickly becomes confusing for new parents to make their decision because not only do they need to find a photographer who they click with, who’s style resonates with them but they also get lost sometimes in realizing how many different types of newborn sessions there actually are. I wanted to take some time to explain here what the different options are and offer assistance to parents trying to plan for their own newborn photo session.

1- Lifestyle Newborn Photo sessions– You may be wondering what this even is! Let me explain. Lifestyle Newborn Photographers usually come to your home to capture you and your new baby in your own cozy surroundings. Sessions take place anywhere from 10 days old through a couple months old. This is one of the more flexible newborn photography options because of a couple things- one of those is that these are not sessions where babies are posed or put into baskets, and props. Lifestyle Newborn Photography sessions will often capture the baby laying in their crib in their nursery, being held in their parents hands and arms, being snuggled by an older sibling, or catching a snooze next to the family pet. These sessions are rather casual, and allow things to happen on babies time and comfort level. Parents do not need to worry about getting all dressed up, as these type of sessions look most authentic when everyone is dressed comfortably. Think mom in relaxed sundress or oversized sweater, Dad in solid color shirts, and jeans, baby In a simple onesie. These sessions capture the real you, not a posed and super planned out look. Often times parents do worry that their home may not be clean enough or maybe they do not get enough natural light in their home. I do actually have a lifestyle section set up in my studio for those who still want this concept but do not want it to take place in their own home. No one will ever realize it was in a studio as it will resemble being in a home.

2- If you prefer a very posed and planned approach- you may love doing an in studio newborn session. These sessions are planned with cohesive outfits, props, and posing baby in positions that they would not usually land in on their own. These sessions take place usually in front of backdrops, and in posing items. It is recommended to use a photographer with a lot of posing and newborn safety experience for this type of session because this can easily turn into a dangerous situation if an untrained newborn photographer is handing your newborn. Never hestiate to ask your photographer what their experience is. There are many very talented and well trained photographers who can accommodate you with this sort of session. These sessions take place most commonly in the first 10-14 days of babies life. This is because babies are still rather sleepy, and can be posed much easier than an older baby. Don’t get me wrong though, every now and then you will find a newborn photography studio who is wiling to attempt a photo session with an older baby- just be sure to be very upfront with the photographer at inquiry about your babies age.

3- Fresh 48 Session- These sessions take place within the first 48 hours of babies arrival, and in the birth place. As a St. Louis Maternity, and Newborn Photographer, I do travel to my clients location needs. This can be in your home if the baby was born there, in your hospital room, or birthing center. Each birth is unique and having one of these sessions will give you the opportunity to have a photographer tell your beautiful story. These are candid, with minimal posing (some examples of posing are simple things such as laying the baby in the rolling crib, mom, and dad holding baby, setting them up to be held by their sibling, etc. I recommend double checking rules with your birthing place before committing to a photographer. Keep in mind that since these sessions do require your photographer to be on call, that sometimes the cost may reflect that and there may be other questions to ask such as who will cover it should the photographer be sick or have an emergency etc.

4- Lastly- I will touch lightly on Birth Photography. This is where a photographer is hired to be in your birth place to capture the birth usually from active labor on through arrival and a couple hours after arrival. This is a very personal decision to parents as to whether they want someone else being in the hospital/birth room with them as they deliver. Some birth places do have restrictions so please ask them as well as your physican before committing to a birth photographer. These sessions are no doubt so special. This will require your photographer to be on call 24/7 for several weeks. Please do ask your photographer lot of questions as to who will cover it if they can’t. You want to be sure ahead of time that you are comfortable with this person as well. You should also find out at what point of birth do you call them, how far do they live from the birth place, and how long will they stay if there is a maximum amount of time they will commit to you. It is also best to discuss things such as are you okay with flash, or do you prefer no artifical light, are you okay with any of your images being shared, and so much more. This is such a sacred, and intimate time, and its best to consider all things in advance so you are not in a sutautaion anything less than perfect.

I hope this helps parents who may be feeling a little unsure on how to navigate scheduling  your Saint Louis  newborn Photogrpaher.

I would love to discuss your maternity and newborn photo session if you are in the market for a photographer, so reach out today at www.lovetothemoonphotography.com or via email at hellolovetothemoon@gmail.com

Thanks for being here, and best of luck on your delivery of your new sweet bundle of joy!