Please click Part 1 of What to Consider When Looking for a Newborn Photographer if you missed the first article in this segment.

6. Do they offer retouching?

Newborns require meticulous retouching to fix flakey skin, baby acne, stork bites, lanugo, Mongolian spots, scratches, jaundice and redness. Good editing skills are a must in order to make your images look their best. Often, editing can take longer than the session itself, which takes time and expert training.

7. Investment

Try not to choose a newborn photographer based on price alone. Your family will cherish your newborn images for generations. Choose a professional newborn photographer you are confident can provide you with stunning images. The opportunity to capture newborn pictures lasts for a very small window of time. If you’re disappointed with the results of your newborn images, there won’t be a chance to redo the images.

If you find that the photographer’s pricing structure is too long, confusing, too many options and hard to follow, it’s probably best to find another photographer.

8. Do they offer Excellent Quality Products and Digital Files?

99% of all clients want high-resolution digital files. Before booking your session, make sure the photographer offers the products you are looking for. Some professional photographers do not offer digital files for sale. Some photographers require you to spend $2,000 to $3,000 before being able to purchase digital files at an extra fee.

A professional newborn photographer is able to provide you with beautiful fine art products not available to the general public. Professional printing labs require photographers to submit an application for approval with business license registration before being able to order professional products. The prints you receive from a professional photographer will be on archival paper color matched to the photographer’s calibrated editing software. Stunning one of a kind birth announcement cards, gallery wrapped canvas prints, hard cover flush mount storybooks with beautiful color on fine art paper. These products are of heirloom quality that will last for generations.

9. What happens if baby is born early or late?

Babies rarely arrive on their due date. Photographers specializing in the art of newborn portraits must have a flexible schedule to accommodate early and late arrivals. The number of bookings should be limited to ensure that each baby is photographed on day 10 or earlier. This is a very small window so photographers who overbook their schedule will most likely run into problems.

Your photographer should also have experience in photographing premature babies. The unexpected does happen every now and again. If baby arrives early and needs to spend time in hospital, you want to make sure you can still receive sleepy newborn images.

10. Does the photographer hold professional accreditations and/or awards?

There is no “regulation” for becoming a photographer. Essentially, anyone who owns a camera can call himself or herself a photographer. Many photographers, who dedicate themselves completely to their craft, hold a professional membership with a recognized photographic community. Many memberships require photographers to simply submit X amount of dollars to be accredited. Other organizations require photographers to submit to a strict screening and approval process.

Earning awards, having published work, submitting images to image salons and being nominated for awards means a photographer has worked very hard to set themselves apart from others and are recognized for their high quality of work.