I see this question all the time- and honestly at a time when many are struggling with finances it has me thinking now is the time to talk about it more. There are a lot of photographers out there, and most will be highly talented and safe individuals. The ones who do make mistakes often do so from lack of knowledge, not intent to harm.
So what do you do when you're looking for a newborn photographer?
Step one: Check their portfolio. Do they have examples of the poses and style that you are interested in? More experience = more likely to have safety training. This isn't a hard and fast rule, of course, but it's a good indicator. This is a good first step regardless since, of course, you want photos in a certain style anyways!
Step two: Read reviews. People are less likely to leave good reviews, but if something bad happened during a session then you are much more likely to read about it. Google reviews are nearly impossible to "get rid of", so they can't just delete the bad ones.
Step three: Don't be afraid to ask about their qualifications! Some good questions are: How long have you been working with newborns? What type of safety measures are taken in your studio? (For allergies-if it's a home studio) Are there any pets in the home? And depending on your beliefs, questions about COVID measures such as masking, vaccination, or air filtration are appropriate.
Step four: If something feels wrong, speak up! Your photographer should always be handling your baby carefully. That one is.a given! The often overlooked safety step is making sure baby is within arms reach at all times. This is especially true of any photographer who uses props. Of course, the photographer will often have to lean back to get certain angles. That should never take the photographer more than arms reach away. This is vital because babies often twitch or jerk their heads in their sleep. If a baby is placed in a prop, small movements could put them into an unsafe position. Your photographer should always be able to snap their hand back to support the baby in seconds. If you have a pet being posed with your baby, your pet should be either photoshopped together or securely held at all times.
Step five: Respect for digital privacy. This isn't quite the same as physical safety, but it's just as important to many people. Many families aren't comfortable with their children's photos being shared on social media, and that's ok! Your photographer should always respect your decisions and not push you to share more than what you are comfortable with. If this is something that is vital to you, it's best to bring it up during the booking process.
If at any point in the process you are uncomfortable, don't be afraid to have a conversation with your photographer about it. I would be mortified if I thought I was doing something to upset my client and they didn't point it out. Ultimately, you are the parent and you will always be considering your child's safety as the biggest priority. It's our job to match your energy and do everything possible to have an uneventful session. I hope this information helps guide your choices, leave your questions below!
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