Newborn Photos

[theresaplaceforus]

Is it worth the money to pay to have professional photos of newborn done? I’m
a FTM and obviously this is a precious first born, I’m just wondering if this is actually something that people are pleased honey did/regret not doing?

Nope! I took loads of pics on my phone and had them printed via an app for her baby book and photo albums, I love all the pictures, they are what are days were like, the outfits we put her in- I don’t really want a baby in a bucket pic.

Nope. The bounty reps you usually get in hospitals don't have any special equipment really - my DH has a better quality semi pro camera. We took our own.
I've known some people get a pro photographer round to take a photo of their baby in a melon/basket/ some other equally weird place but they tend to look a bit twee and overly posed. Not something we'd put on the wall. Depends on what kind of photos you like but we prefer more natural photos

Contrary to the other two posters, I paid to have newborn photos taken of both my children, and I am really glad I did. I still look at and enjoy the photos, and we would not have had good photos of the 3/4 of us if we had not paid someone

I had a photographer do a baby shoot after the birth of my first baby. I treasure the photo’s and framed them for my hallway. She was fantastic and made us all really comfortable and took her time, allowing me to feed when I needed to.

When my second was born we did a family photo shoot and those are also framed and on the wall. Both of my children like seeing themselves. I prefer these photo’s to my wedding photo’s.

No. I actually cannot see the appeal and dont understand why people do them to be honest.

The pictures I took look much better. They are real life examples of what DS looked like, wore and taken in places of significance e.g at home, on his first trip out, at the hospital etc.

Staged photos of my child in a basket or bucket, with a blanket or prop that hundreds of other babies had used, in a studio just didn't appeal to me.

They wouldn't have been a true reflection of his life and in all honesty he would have looked like thousands of other staged babies and not like the individual he is. I have no regrets at all that we didn't waste money on them.

I’ve paid for a newborn shoot 🙈 however, the photographer I’ve booked only does very natural shots - not a bucket or other prop in sight 😂 she also takes family shots. It’s our first baby and I was wondering how often we’d actually think to get pictures of me, DH and baby once baby arrives instead of always one of us with baby or baby alone.
I just decided I’d rather have them and feel it was a waste of money afterwards than not have them and regret not doing one lol.

I think what is worth getting done is the moulded/framed little hand/footprints, we have both our DC's hanging up, always makes me smile when I see them!

Don't be embarrassed that you paid for a newborn shoot RWK, I'm not! Why shouldn't you get lovely photos done of your babies.

I had them done with both my boys, neither of them had them bent into weird shapes, or wearing hats etc.
They were family photos by a professional photographer, nothing wrong with that.

I also had a maternity shoot done 🤷🏽‍♀️

We didn’t but I did order some props to take photos of baby DD, thinking they’d look vaguely professional

They don’t, even one bit. She looks absolutely ludicrous and sort of drunk and lopsided in most of the photos and I love them so much more than if we’d had proper ones taken.

I know a couple of photographers who do family and baby photos. The key really is to pick a photographer who has a style you like. Whether you want natural and un-posed or with bows and buckets there will be people who can do that for you! It's worth shopping around, speaking to them, asking for a portfolio.
My partner has a good camera and takes good photos (as a hobby) so am hopeful he could capture some good shots. I would consider a professional maybe (am hoping we could get mates rates!)

I also paid for a newborn photoshoot. Can not see any reason why not to. (: I am having lovely pictures to look back at and I would not be able to capture those precious emotions by myself (tired etc).

I did with first DD and I still love them 9 years later. They used to come into m&co twice a year to do photo shoots and they were really lovely natural ones. I don’t like one with too many props/in flower pots etc.
I wouldn’t bother with the bounty ones at the hospital though, they’re crap

@Strokethefurrywall Haha, I know, I shouldn’t be embarrassed at all! I keep getting so much judgement from family and friends about it that it’s actually hilarious now. I actually enjoy photography myself and do have a professional camera so I know I’ll be able to get really lovely pictures of baby at home but I really want family pictures of us all 😊

I regret not getting them with my 1st- my phone camera quality was like a potato, though at the time the photos we took ourselves seemed lovely.
We had a shoot for my 2nd and they are beautiful photos. Sadly the photographer is now out of business due to covid though so not sure what we will do about our 3rd this Dec!

I had this weird guilt that my baby was no longer a new newborn and I hadn't enjoyed her about about 7 days pp and that I ought to have some photos taken or I'd regret it forever and be upset. I hurriedly booked a photo shoot.

£200 later and I got 5 photos that are ok. I didn't even get to choose what she dressed my baby in or how she posed her. I was so disappointed because she put her in headbands and I don't really like them, I'm fussy!

They're nice photos but they're not "me". They also look a bit too heavily retouched for my liking.

Months later and I rarely look at them to be honest. I might like to look back on them them in years to come though.

I'm more upset that I don't have any nice photos of us together on the first day/in hospital. But I was so eager to just get home.

A few friends have had these done and while the pics are lovely, babies tend to have (imo) quite a generic look. They don't exhibit any personality in the pics either.

Another friend got her family professionally photographed when her kids were 9 and 7. The pictures are amazing. They capture so well the characters of the kids and obviously the kids are able to do so much more than just lay asleep.

I agree that the photographer is important. The photographer we used was very natural, she didn’t do any retouches or use any weird props. She took beautiful and very simple photo’s but her skill was in positioning, and making sure that everything on the ‘set’ was as warm and comfortable as possible so that ds didn’t wake up at all.

Didn’t get them either time, don’t regret it. Those newborn photos seem quite generic. Logistically those first weeks are tough when you are establishing breastfeeding and we barely managed to do the stuff we had to do.
There are two photos from each of their first days that I love now because I recognise their current faces. Many other pictures I don’t feel much of a connection to now.

You can have more than 1 photo shoot in a child’s life Bernadette, you don’t have to wait until they are 9 and 7.

We had professional photos done when DS was about 7 months old and they are amazing. So pleased with them - so much so I’ve booked the photographer again for when he turns 1

My siblings have all put together for a newborn shoot with my favourite local photographer when the baby arrives. I can’t wait, she’ll only be a newborn once and that time goes so quickly so if you want one, then go for it!

@momofasweetboy2018 @LovelyBranches @rooarsome @SquigglyOne If it’s not to personal, do you mind me asking how much your newborn/family sessions cost and what was included for the price? 🤔 just curiosity really 😂 the one I’ve booked is by far my favourite in our area and her work is beautiful - but she is considerably more expensive than other local photographers!

I’m sure mine is a session of up to 4 hours to give time for feeding etc and incase baby is a bit unsettled. All images taken on the day as digital downloads, all images on a keepsake USB and credit towards large printed images 🤔

@RWK29 ours was a bit of a bargain to be honest - think it was cos it was done in a studio in the ladies house (so basically her spare bedroom lol) but honestly her work is amazing.
Was £120 - think we were there for about 2 hours and we got 75 digital images both emailed to me and on a memory stick.

I never had newborn pictures done and have always regretted it. I’ve had professional pictures of him every year from when he was one, I have 3 local photographers I switch between who all use gorgeous outdoor locations. But I wish I had newborn ones too.

I'm getting them done but with a photographer weve used before. Great package that includes maternity session + 10x8 Print, 3D scan + cuddly bear with baby's heartbeat, newborn session + 10x8 Print, 3D foot cast, 6 month session + 10x8 print, 1st birthday cake smash session + 10x8 print
For that money I really cant grudge it x