What To Expect When Booking A Newborn Photography Session
Newborn photography sessions allow mothers, babies, and their loved ones to revel in this most precious and fleeting time - the results being absolutely magical images. When done well by a certified newborn photographer, the experience is relaxing and fun while also allowing the opportunity to be truly present, soaking up every second.
When you work with the right photographer, you’ll be taken care of from start to finish, so you don’t have to think about a thing. That said, the more prepared you are, the more you’ll get out of the experience.
Preparing For A Photography Session With Your Newborn
Here are things to know and expect when booking your newborn photo session.
You should book your session early
The best Bay Area newborn photographers are booked out months in advance. The sooner you find the photographer you want, the better because most photographers offer packages for clients who use them for both maternity and newborn sessions.
If you opted to forgo professional maternity photos, or you want someone else to do your newborn session, we recommend starting your search for the right photographer during the first trimester. This allows you to settle into your pregnancy, get a feel for who’s who in your area, and schedule brief phone or video consultations with prospective photographers.
Once you’ve chosen, book your newborn session by the beginning of the second trimester (Week 13 or 14). If you plan that far ahead, you’ll have a reserved window on their calendar. We’ll hone in on the exact date and time once the baby arrives (typically within those first several days). If you wait past the eight-week mark, you’ll have beautiful photos of an infant, but they won’t be as unique as the images captured during the true “newborn” phase.
Ensure it’s a certified newborn photographer (safety first!)
If you’ve done any online searches for photographers, you know that many professionals cast their nets wide. They take photos of all types, from professional headshots and engagement announcements to weddings, maternity sessions, and newborns.
When looking exclusively for a maternity and newborn photographer, I recommend narrowing your selections to photographers solely working in that niche.
We all have to start somewhere, and I respect that. However, the best newborn photos are taken by those who isolate their services to that one, particular sector. It makes a tremendous difference for you, as the client, regarding everything from your experience in our studio to the quality of the resulting images.
Your selections should focus on photographers who:
Are Certified Maternity & Newborn Photographers (this can be verified through APNPI)
Never compromise a newborn's well-being for the image (their heads/bodies should always be fully supported, and materials/fabrics should be soft, stretchy, and never restrictive, etc. We use editing features afterward to make the impossible look possible!)
Click Here to get ideas on what to ask about when meeting with prospective photographers.
Be ready to get to know us and share your story
If you choose to work with us, we’ll schedule a design consultation, giving you an opportunity to share your story. We want to get to know our clients as well as we can, including your goals for the session, who you’d like included (partner/spouse, grandparents, siblings, fur babies, etc.), how you plan to use images, particular themes or poses that appeal to you, your home decor and color palette, etc.
Book the session and make your deposit
Once we feel confident we’re a good photographer-client match, we’ll schedule the official newborn photography session. Of course, you’re always welcome to contact us to ask any questions or discuss any concerns you have between the design consultation and actual session dates.
In the meantime, we hold your spot with an initial deposit (the booking fee). You’ll pay the balance when we meet for the ordering appointment and choose which images you want to purchase.
Relax and enjoy (while we handle all the details)
Your newborn session takes place in our beautiful studio in Alameda, near Oakland. We understand that the first few weeks (and months) are hectic, and time has a life of its own after bringing a newborn home. So, we’ve learned the best photography sessions for new mothers and babies happen here in our beautiful, perfectly staged studio.
You don’t have to worry about the status of the house or anything else. Instead, your job is to show up - while our job is to pamper you and set the tone for an amazing session. You’ll be given the royal treatment by our hair and makeup team.
We set spacious session times so you have time to feed, cuddle, change, and comfort the baby as needed. In the meantime, we have music, toys, plenty of snacks and drinks, books, and magazines - all available to make everyone included as comfortable as possible.
Learn More About What To Expect When Booking Newborn Photo Sessions From Lemonshoots
My name is Marcela Limon, and I’m the owner of Lemonshoots. I focus exclusively on creating priceless, one-of-a-kind images of expecting mothers and their precious newborns. I am passionate about creating a newborn photography experience that makes you feel held, seen, and cared for every step of the way.
However, the first step is ensuring you book your session in time! Contact Lemonshoots online or give me a call ((510) 747-9019) to begin planning one of the most special and memorable portrait sessions of your life.