Last Updated on 15/06/2026 by Armands Sprogis
8 Questions Every Parent Should Ask Before Booking a Newborn Photographer
I created this guide to help you choose a newborn photographer who is right for your family. Every week, I receive enquiries about newborn photography, and almost all of them start with the same question:
“How much do the photos cost?”
While price is naturally an important part of the decision, there are many other factors to consider when choosing a newborn photographer. Experience, safety, products, image quality and the overall experience can all make a huge difference to the final result.
I have been photographing newborns for over a decade and have put together 8 important questions every parent should ask before booking a newborn photographer.
1. Is My Baby Safe During The Session?
Newborn photography isn’t as easy as it looks. It requires a lot of patience and skill. A good newborn photographer will normally have quite a few training sessions under their belt and a very strong portfolio to show off their artwork. You have to remember that you will be entrusting your precious new-to-this-world baby to the photographer, so it’s critical to find someone who knows what they’re doing. If a photographer lacks the necessary experience, it might create unnecessary stress for you during the photo session and photo quality might not be what you expected.
I have photographed newborns for almost 14 years now, and have established a great working relationship with my assistants and the families with whom I work. You should always feel secure in the knowledge that your baby is in the best possible hands.
The Internet is filled with all sorts of inspirations and ideas, and unfortunately, there is a lot of unsafe newborn work out there. If I haven’t done your chosen newborn pose safely, I will never, ever try to attempt something just for the sake of getting a photo for parents. I always consider safety first and all considerations. I will always express my concerns to the family and will be pretty firm with it.
2. How Much Does Newborn Photography Cost And What’s Included?
Newborn photography prices can vary significantly from one photographer to another. Factors such as experience, session length, editing time, products included and the overall experience will all influence the final cost.
Rather than focusing solely on the price, make sure you understand exactly what is included in the package. Some photographers include a set number of digital images, while others may include prints, wall art or albums.
Think about what will be most valuable to you in years to come. Are you simply looking for a few digital files to share with family, or would you love a beautiful album or wall portrait to enjoy every day?
The cheapest option is not always the best value, just as the most expensive option is not automatically the best choice. Look at the photographer’s work, read reviews and choose the option that feels right for your family and budget.
As you can see, this session was with a sibling. The family wanted some lovely images of their newborn, as well as images of the baby’s sibling. This session was the second newborn shoot for the family, so Mum definitely knew exactly what she was after. I actually get more and more families whose focus is aimed at simple, uncluttered baby photos that capture their delicate features.
3. How Experienced Is The Photographer With Newborns?
Experience is about much more than how long someone has owned a camera.
A photographer who specialises in newborn photography will usually have more experience handling babies safely, settling newborns, reading their cues and creating a wider variety of images during the session.
Experience can also make the session smoother and less stressful for both parents and baby. An experienced newborn photographer will often be able to work more efficiently, meaning less disruption and a more relaxed experience for everyone involved.
When researching photographers, look beyond a handful of beautiful images. Ask how long they have been photographing newborns and whether newborn photography is a regular part of their business.
After all, you only get one opportunity to capture your baby at this tiny newborn stage.
If you’d like to understand what actually happens behind the scenes during a newborn session, I’ve written a detailed article covering 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Newborn Photography.
4. Can I See A Full Gallery, Not Just Instagram Highlights?
Most photographers showcase their very best images on their website and social media. While that’s completely normal, it doesn’t always show what a typical session looks like from start to finish.
Ask to see a complete gallery from a recent newborn session. This will give you a much better idea of the consistency of the photographer’s work, the variety of images they create and what you can realistically expect from your own session.
A full gallery will also help you see how many different poses, setups and family photographs are typically included.
One or two amazing photographs are great, but a complete gallery tells the real story.
5. What Happens If My Baby Won’t Sleep Or Settle?
This isn’t something that happens very often, but you should still ask your photographer what to do if you can’t make it for your newborn photo session. Sometimes mums are rushed back to the hospital or they find themselves far too busy to manage the session.
Babies may also occasionally refuse to cooperate. In such cases, we simply offer our clients the option of coming back later to have the photos taken. We let the client decide on the most suitable time to resume the photo shoot and we try our best to accommodate them. The same rules apply when you can’t make it to your session.
You can also check my awake newborns guide.
6. When Will I Receive My Photographs?
This is something that is often overlooked. Please ask your potential photographer when you can expect to see your photos. I have heard stories of families having to wait 2-3 months after having a photo session before being shown their baby photos. That, in my opinion, is way too long.
With our studio, you will see photos a week after the photo session (natural disasters notwithstanding), depending on the family’s availability.
7. What Products And Digital Files Are Included?
Digital files are now a standard part of most newborn photography packages, but every photographer offers products differently.
Some photographers focus entirely on digital images, while others specialise in printed products such as albums, wall art and keepsake boxes.
It’s worth asking exactly what is included in your package and whether additional products are available if you decide you would like them later.
Many parents initially think they only want digital files, but once they see their photographs, they often choose to display them in their home or preserve them in an album for future generations.
Understanding the available options before booking can help you decide which photographer is the best fit for your needs.
8. Is the photographer insured?
It is unlikely that you will ever need to make a claim, but it is always good to check whether your newborn photographer is fully insured. A reliable photographer will always do everything they can to avoid accidents and make sure everything goes smoothly, but you never know what could happen, so it is best to be prepared. Being insured is also a sign that a photographer is legitimate and has a professional mindset.
What else to think about
- Where will the photo session take place? Do you have a choice of the studio or a home lifestyle shoot?
- Are the photos on the photographer’s website actually theirs? Yes, sometimes photographers like to use other photographer’s work and claim it as their own.
- Does the photographer provide props?
- When should you be doing newborn photos?
- Is the photographer doing composite images of difficult poses?
Finally, please arrange to meet your potential newborn photographer. Have a chat, see how well you connect, and follow your gut feeling. It is always best to meet face-to-face and to talk through all the details before you commit to anything. You will see the space they work in and will be able to ask any of your burning questions.
Thank you all for reading through this. It has turned out to be a bit of an essay, but I really wanted to make sure you feel confident when choosing a photographer and that you all end up with someone you are truly happy with. The photographer you decide on might well become your photographer for life, and this can be such a great relationship to have down the line.
