6 Great Questions to Ask When Choosing Your Newborn Photographer | Chilliwack Newborn Baby Photographer

Expecting a baby is a very exciting time. There are times when that 9 months of waiting seem to take forever. However, once baby arrives, many parents will agree that those first few weeks just fly by. I guess that is why so many people appreciate capturing those precious first memories with Newborn Photography!

So, how do you go about picking the right photographer for you? After all, this is your long-awaited, treasured baby we are talking about! Well, to help you out, here are a few questions to ask your Newborn Photographer when shopping around...

1. What do your photos look like?
The photographer's portfolio is probably the best place to start when picking! Photography is art - and taste in art varies from person to person. Likewise, styles vary from photographer to photographer. So, probably the most important thing to consider is what kind of style and look do you like most. Would you be happy displaying this photographer's work on your walls?

2. What training have you received to pose newborns?
Posing and shooting a newborn is not like shooting older children. From soothing tricks to safety procedures, it requires it's own set of skills, special techniques and a LOT of patience. This is a time when picking a trained specialist should be seriously considered over your regular general portrait photographer.

3. Where do you take the photos?
This, again, is where personal preference comes in. Some Newborn Photographers shoot in the studio, and some shoot in the client's home. Some people feel more comfortable in their own home. Others may not want the stress of having to crank up the heating and tidy up their house when you are suffering from post-birth exhaustion. Whatever you prefer, you ought to know where your session will take place before you book.

4. Do you have insurance & a contract? 
Any professional, especially one who deals with fragile newborns & "busy", curious toddlers should have liability insurance. Add to that a current business license and a contract, and you can be more confident that you are dealing with a true professional who cares about providing the best and most trustworthy experience for all involved.

5. When should I book/reserve my session?/ Do you have availability around my due date?
The first question is a question I am asked a lot! The best time to shoot a newborn is between 5 and 10 days old (a good Newborn Photographer can shoot older babies, though, if the baby has had to stay in hospital longer or there are other special circumstances). However, most parents don't really know when their bundle is planning to make their grand entrance! Many Newborn Photographers will limit their number of bookings to allow for this "appointment date juggling", so booking your slot during the 2nd or 3rd trimester of your pregnancy will avoid the disappointment of finding out that your favourite photographer is already booked up!

6. What is the investment?
When shopping around, cost is an important consideration (after all, you do have bills to pay this month, right?) BUT look at the price of Newborn Photography as an investment, not a cost. Your photos will be handed down from generation to generation - they are a record of an important family moment, that will last long after the baby has grown up and had babies of their own. Like so many things in life, the cheapest option may not necessarily be the best option for something this important. (Cost is also often a great indicator of the experience of your photographer, and the quality of the end product!)

I'm sure more questions will pop into your head, as you are shopping around, but these are a great starting point. The right photographer is somewhere out there for everyone. You just need to find the right one for you. :-)