Most parents spend a lot of time thinking about which newborn photographer has the style they love. Fewer think to ask about how that photographer actually works with their baby. Both things matter. And as someone who has been doing this for fifteen years, I think the safety questions are worth asking out loud.
Here’s how I approach my in-home newborn sessions, and what I’d suggest any parent ask before they book someone.
Are you vaccinated, and what happens if you’re sick?
This one doesn’t come up too often, but it should. I keep my vaccinations current, including whooping cough, which is one of the more serious risks for very young babies. And if I’m unwell (or someone in my house has something concerning), I reschedule. Not reluctantly. Without question.
Will you be touching my baby?
Honestly, as little as possible. My preference is to barely touch your baby at all during a session. Where I can, I’ll guide you as the parent to settle and position them, and photograph what happens naturally from there.
I wash my hands before your session and I’ll always let you know what I’m doing and why. Your baby is yours. I’m just there to photograph them.
What does posing actually look like?
There are poses that circulate on Instagram and Pinterest that require a baby to be bent, propped, or held in ways that aren’t natural for a newborn’s body (if at all done correctly, are actually made of composite images of something that is physically impossible). I don’t do those.
In my in-home newborn sessions, babies are either in a parent’s arms, lying on a safe flat surface like a bed, a cot, or a soft mat on the floor, or resting in a position their own body has naturally settled into. That’s it. Nothing elaborate. Nothing that requires a baby to hold a position they can’t actually hold.
The photos look real because the situations are real.
Will I be in the room the whole time?
Yes.
You know your baby better than anyone, and your presence in the room matters both for your baby’s comfort and for your own peace of mind. I’m not going to ask you to step out so I can work. You’re part of the session.
What if something doesn’t feel right?
Say so. Immediately, and without any awkwardness about it.
I’ve been doing this long enough to know that parents sometimes feel unsure. You don’t need to have a reason, and you don’t need to phrase it carefully. If something feels off – even just the need to hold your baby if they’ve been lying down a while on the bed and become unsettled we’ll stop and regroup. No image is worth overriding that instinct. I’ll remind you of this too as I work, you can pick up your baby at any point.
What should I actually look for when choosing a newborn photographer?
A few practical things worth checking: look at their portfolio with an eye for how the babies actually look, settled and comfortable, not strained. Read their reviews for words like calm, gentle, unhurried, and flexible. And notice whether safety comes up anywhere in how they talk about their work. If it doesn’t, that’s worth asking about directly.
You can have a read of this post too: How to choose a newborn photographer.
Fifteen years of experience means I’ve photographed a lot of babies and a lot of families. It also means I’ve learned that the sessions that feel the safest and the most relaxed produce the best images. And I want you to feel good about the process too.
If you’d like to ask me anything before booking, send me a message. I’m happy to talk through how sessions work. You can read up more about my newborn sessions here.
Frequently Asked Questions about Newborn Photography
Is it safe to have a newborn photography session at home?
Yes. In-home sessions are often the safest option for newborns. Your baby stays in their own environment, there’s no travel, no change in temperature, and no props or surfaces shared with other families. I come to you, which means your baby’s world stays as familiar as possible.
Should a newborn photographer be vaccinated?
Absolutely! Whooping cough in particular, can be serious for very young babies. I keep my vaccinations current and reschedule sessions if I’m unwell, even with minor illness.
What poses are safe for newborn photography?
The safest positions for newborn photography are natural ones. A baby in a parent’s arms, lying on a flat surface like a bed or mat, or resting in a position they’ve settled into themselves. Poses that require a baby to be bent, propped, or held in unnatural positions carry unnecessary risk and aren’t something I use.
Should parents stay in the room during a newborn photography session?
Yes. I never ask parents to leave during a session. You know your baby, and your presence matters both for their comfort and yours. If anything feels off at any point, you should feel completely comfortable saying so. Also parents are just as much a part of this story as a baby. I don’t photograph babies solo, I only photograph them in the context of a family (be that both parents or single parents).
What should I ask a newborn photographer before I book?
Ask about their vaccination status, what they do if they’re sick, how they handle posing, how much they touch the baby, and whether you’ll be present throughout. A photographer who takes safety seriously will have clear, straightforward answers to all of these. It’s also worth asking if their booking is flexible if you wind up having an unexpected appointment or a really difficult night.
