A Guide for Expecting Moms

I am a wedding photographer, but when I got started in this business I thought I wanted to focus my business on newborn photography. I mean, who wouldn’t love capturing little bundles of joy during their first few weeks of life?!

In those early days of my business, I studied newborn photography like crazy and practiced setups with a baby doll. I even paid for a newborn posing workshop and read everything I could about newborns. Some of my first client sessions were for newborn portraits.

I was never going to photograph weddings. People asked me to, but I always said no. Oh the irony!

I stumbled into wedding photography by accident via taking engagement portraits for my cousin. That stumble changed the course of my business path. I now refer out almost all the newborn session inquiries I receive, but I’ve started to realize that many moms-to-be need a guide for what’s even out there when it comes to newborn portraits. It’s a whole other world of photography!

This post is the first of a three-part series that will introduce you to two of my friends who are amazing newborn photographers in Mobile, Alabama and will explain the differences between the various styles of newborn photography. If you’re a mom-to-be, this post is for you!

 

Meet Danielle Parker + Hannah Stinson

Danielle Parker and Hannah Stinson are two amazing newborn photographers who are based in Mobile, Alabama. I’ve been friends with Danielle since high school and have followed Hannah’s work for years. We’ve all been on our photography business journeys for about the same amount of time.

When I’m asked for recommendations for newborn photographers, these ladies are at the top of my list. I was super excited when they both agreed to share their expertise (and some of their beautiful images!) for this series on newborn photography. I’ll share more about each of their specialties in two upcoming posts. For now, here is a little background on each of them. Danielle’s and Hannah’s images are watermarked so that you know which images belong to each of these talented ladies!

Danielle says she’s had a love of and appreciation for photography as long as she can remember, but her journey to newborn photography began with the birth of her twins nine years ago. After battling infertility for quite some time, Danielle feared she would never become a mother. When it finally happened, she wanted to document every step, every phase, EVERYTHING about her babies. That’s when she knew she’d found her calling.

She says, “My struggles with infertility gave me a greater appreciation for new life and just how fleeting those early moments are. I feel blessed to capture the uniquely beautiful details of this brief and special time for others before the chance is gone.”

Hannah has also had a love of photography as long as she can remember. She was born and raised in Auburn, AL and moved to Mobile after graduating from college and marrying her best friend. Hannah has been in the photography business for nearly eight years.

She says, “I knew from the very beginning of this journey that I wanted to specialize in children and family portraiture with an emphasis on newborns. I have two boys of my own and being able to look back on pictures I’ve taken of those little chubby cheeks and baby teeth smiles is one of my greatest joys. The ability to extend that to others is truly the reason why I love my job so much!”

Types of Newborn Sessions

Did you know there are several types of sessions that fall under the category of newborn photography? These most commonly include birth photography, Fresh 48 sessions, in-home sessions and studio sessions. There is also a distinction between “posed” newborn photography and “lifestyle” newborn photography. Confused? Don’t worry, I’m breaking down each of the options below.

Birth Photography

 

Birth photography is definitely not for the faint of heart. A birth session is best scheduled during your second trimester. The photographer will put your due date on their calendar and will essentially be “on call” for when you go into labor. They are there to document all the candid moments in the delivery room from the intensity of labor, to the excitement and raw emotions, as well as the moment your little one takes his or her first breath. Danielle says a birth session might be for you if you want to document the big moments, deep emotions, and small details that tell one of your greatest love stories. This way, she says, “you’ll forever have a reminder of what you’re bound to forget.”

Fresh 48 Sessions

 

A Fresh 48 Session takes place while you’re still in the hospital. These sessions really capture the newness of your little one and preserve those memories of those first couple of days as new parents. These sessions also need to be booked as in advance as possible, usually around the start of the second trimester because your photographer will essentially be “on call” to work your session in within that 48 hour window of time between when you give birth and when you head home from the hospital. Danielle says a Fresh 48 session might be for you if you want to relive the experience of those first few days with your sweet baby – the moments filled with awe, delight, and love for your tiny little miracle.

Studio Newborn Sessions

 

Studio newborn sessions take place in a studio. Typically, they include posed portraits of your newborn, as well as portraits of the family together (parents and siblings). How do you pose a newborn? Is normally the first question I hear from moms-to-be when discussing newborn photography and the option of posed versus unposed. If you’re wanting to go to a studio, then you likely want posed newborn portraits.

Photographers who specialize in newborn photography are incredibly talented and patient when it comes to settling your little one into a pose. Sit back and watch while they work their magic and I promise you’ll be amazed. A studio will typically have various props, backgrounds and wraps on hand for the session. Meaning you need to bring very little with you to the shoot. Hannah says a studio session might be for you if you’re looking for a stress-free environment to deliver perfectly posed professional portraits of your newest addition!

In-Home Newborn Sessions

 

For in-home newborn sessions, the photographer comes to your home to take your newborn portraits. A variety of styles are possible for in-home sessions. Some newborn photographers offer both posed and lifestyle portraits in the same session, while others may specialize in just one or the other. If you prefer carefully posed newborn portraits, then it’s important to choose a photographer skilled in this style. For posed in-home sessions, the photographer will often bring any necessary props, backgrounds and wraps with them.

Lifestyle newborn sessions are another style of newborn photography that can take place in the home. These sessions are often less focused on posed portraits of your newborn and more focused on photographs of the family interacting with the new baby. Danielle says an in-home newborn session might be for you if you’d rather not have the hassle of leaving your home. It’s also for anyone who feels more comfortable and relaxed in their own surroundings and/or wants to incorporate their home into their session.

When to Schedule Your Session

Danielle and Hannah both agree the earlier you can schedule your newborn session, the better. Because newborn photographers are penciling you in on their calendar based on your due date, they can only take so many sessions within a given timeframe.

The start of your second trimester is the best time to reach out to a newborn photographer. If you’re already closer to your due date than that, or have already given birth, don’t panic that you’ve missed out. Hannah and Danielle both have been known to work in last minute bookings depending on the time of year and their current calendar load.

Next week we’ll be taking a closer look at Danielle Parker Photography and learning a little more about the in-home session experience.