6 Questions You Need to Ask Your Denver Newborn Photographer

Not sure about newborn photography?

I completely understand.

You’re about to welcome a brand new baby into the world, and between diapers, medical bills, and everything else that comes with a newborn, the costs can add up quickly. It’s only natural to look at photography and think, maybe I can just do this myself.

I thought the exact same thing.

After all, I’m a photographer. I’ve photographed many newborns. Surely I could save a little money and create my own baby’s portraits.

But when my daughter arrived, reality looked very different.

I was exhausted. My body was still healing. The thought of setting up backdrops, wrapping intricate swaddles, and carefully posing a tiny newborn felt overwhelming. And to make matters even more complicated, she could smell my breastmilk and refused to settle for me long enough to fall asleep.

What I imagined would be a sweet, meaningful experience quickly turned into frustration and tears.

And the hardest part?

I never captured a single portrait of her as a newborn.

Instead of beautiful images to remember that fleeting season of her life, I was left with a stressful memory and a deep sense of regret.

That’s not something I want for you.

Those early days with your baby are tender, emotional, and incredibly short. You deserve to spend them soaking in the moment, not trying to manage lighting, posing, and camera settings while running on two hours of sleep.

That’s exactly why I’ve designed my newborn sessions to be as effortless as possible for new mothers.

To help you feel confident in choosing the right photographer, here are six important questions every parent should ask before booking a newborn photographer.

For more about my approach to newborn portraiture, you can also visit  www.berkanaphotography.com/newborn-photography

1) What do I get with a newborn photography session?

Obviously this varies by photographer, but what I offer is:

•      An in-home styling and vision planning consultation so I can get to know your family and your vision for the session.
•      I bring the studio to you! I know how hard it can be to get all the logistics right of leaving the home with a newborn so I just totally eliminate that from the equation. You get to relax in the comfort of your home while I do all the heavy lifting (literally!)
•      Step-by-step instructions on how to prepare for the session
•      In-person design and ordering appointment, so you’ll have the perfect artwork (instead of keeping them all on your hard drive) and I'll even bring my team in to install it once it arrives.
•      Professional hair and makeup for you, mom

Wait, did you say professional hair and makeup?

Yes, yes I did! I know how crazy those first days are after bringing home your baby. You rarely get the chance for a hot shower, let alone enough time to do your hair and makeup. You deserve to be pampered a bit, which is why hair and makeup is always included!

2) When do you suggest booking our session?

First of all, book while you’re still pregnant! Most photographers take a limited number of newborns each month.

Next, the session will take place around 10-14 days after birth. They’ve had a chance to cuten up a bit but they are still super tiny. Plus mom has a chance to recover a bit before getting in front of the camera! Obviously you won’t know when your baby will be born unless you have a scheduled C-section, so I book newborn sessions for a window of time. 

3) What if my baby doesn’t sleep?

It’s incredibly rare for a baby not to sleep for at least a portion of our session. I've been called "the baby whisperer" more times than I can count on both hands and toes when I come to clients' homes because I have many tricks up my sleeve to coax your little one back to sleep. Always gently and safely, of course.

4) How long will it take to get my photos?

I know you want to see those precious photos as soon as possible! That’s why we schedule your viewing appointment 3-7 days after the session. Artwork will take longer to come in, but your fully-retouched digital portraits will be ready for you to download within 1-2 weeks of your ordering session.

5) Can my husband and other children be in the photos?

Of course! The whole family is welcome for no additional fee. I love including the whole family, and there is something so special about sibling photos.

6) What if I don’t want my baby’s photos online?

I understand that some parents don’t want photos of their little one online. If that’s your choice, no problem! Just let me know at your consultation. I take your and your family's safety and privacy very seriously and I'm always happy to accommodate this request.

If you have any questions at all about newborn photography, you can always book a free consultation with me. We can sit down and talk about your concerns, answer any questions, or just chat about newborn photography – no obligation, I promise!  Book your consultation here.