Newborn Photography

MixedCurlsXo · March 2015

Are any of you guys planning on having professional pictures taken of your newborn?

I looked up a few studios & HOLY DAMN some places are freaking expensive! I found one lady that charges $2,000(um seriously?) and apparently that's normal for my area.

I'd like to have pictures to keep for myself & mail some to family but at this rate baby might be having a camera phone photo shoot!

Did I totally miss the memo on this being the norm or are these people out of their minds?

kbbtah · March 2015

$2000?!?! That's outrageous! I found an amazing photographer here in the Midwest who has a "grow with me" package. You get newborn, 3 mo, 6 mo, and year photo sessions with all pictures on a disk. Going rate was $575, but she had a black friday deal for $275. Personally, im a huge fan of professional photos, but would refuse to pay $2000. If all else fails, try JC Penney or BuyBuyVaby studios. Good luck!

MixedCurlsXo · March 2015

@kbbtah wow that price is AMAZING! Photographers here charge a bunch if you want the pictures on a disk/USB, which is ridiculous! I love the idea of a "grow with me" package, very cute! I'm going to search for photographers that offer that package & look for places 30 miles away and hopefully the prices change. Thanks

mlindzz · March 2015

I lucked out with this forsure. My best friend is a professional photographer.

But definately a professional is worth the buck! You can't go back and take pictures later, so if you can afford it, why not. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, check out amateur photographers looking for opportunities to work on their skills (kijiji, etc.). The photos might not be as great as they could be, but the photographer will still have used a good camera.

Speaking of.. I bought a couple hundred dollar camera a few years ago and paid another $150 for a portrait lense. Definately a great investment if someone is considering it, portrait lenses are perfect for kids. Then you can snap good quality photos as you want!

finchfeeder80 · March 2015

Well just take pics on our own. I got us a decent digital camera Black Friday, and so far the practice shots I've taken with the cats have all been nice. Professional pics have never really been our style, the only ones that exist of us are our wedding photos. I'll probably start going to Penny's or something and getting a family photo once a year or something though.

annatta79 · March 2015

We did with DS1. I'd feel bad if we didn't do them for DS2. Our session was $250 and then we paid for prints. Those were a few hundred once we'd picked out everything we wanted. If we had wanted to get a disk, that would have been an extra $500, which seemed to be the going rate.

karaelaine1991 · March 2015

I really, really want to get newborn photos done, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen. DH doesn't want to spend above $150 (and that's only if it's a newborn-1yr package), and that's just not realistic for good quality pictures in our area. I'm super bummed about it. He said that the only photographer who he'd agree to raise the budget for is our wedding photographer, since she was absolutely fantastic, but we've moved since our wedding and making a 4 hour trip when baby's a week old just for newborn pictures is kind of silly, in our opinion... so sadly, no professional newborn pictures for us

I'll be taking lots of pictures on my own, of course, but I'm definitely not skilled at photography so they'll very clearly be amateur pics.

MixedCurlsXo · March 2015

@finchfeeder80 for my birthday my parents bought me a really nice Nikon camera & 2 lenses to take pictures of baby, but I don't trust my skills to take "official" newborn pictures. But I'm glad your practice shots have been turning out nice!

@MurLindzz I've never heard of a portrait lens. This is my first fancy camera with a changeable lens. Is it much different than a 18-55mm lens?

finchfeeder80 · March 2015

@mixedcurlsxo I'm sure mine will never be mistaken for professional ones either, but they do look nicer than just cell phone camera shots! My mom's always taken a decent photograph, and she's had plenty of practice with my brother's four! She loves taking pictures of all the kids, so I'm sure between us and her, we will definitely not be lacking in pictures!

valeriemarie24 · March 2015

I went to school for journalism/photography so I'm going to just take mine myself. I agree some of the prices for photo packages are crazy! I've always wanted to try my hand at baby photography, if some of you lived closer I'd offer my services.

JessHeppell · March 2015

yeah i lucked out on this one too. DH has always has a thing for photography, he has said he is excited to take photos as well.

TheEA · March 2015

I have found pretty amazing deals for photography on Groupon. They have deals from places like JC Penny and Picture People as well as local photographers. Some packages are as much as 85% off!

rklinge0 · March 2015

I am using the person who did my wedding photos and one year "sexy" photos. She usually does advertisment pics but has always done a great job. Going to pay her around 200. But it will be worth every penny.

klkonwi · March 2015

It's really all in the editing ladies!!!! I have a friend who does her own and it's the editing that counts

klkonwi · March 2015

I am also a person who has a hard time spending money on photography. Those grow with me packages are popular here (Nebraska).

ksimo6 · March 2015

We got them for DD and will again for our son. But my cousin is the photographer so we get a smoking deal.

bbnmama2012 · March 2015

MurLindzz said:
I lucked out with this forsure. My best friend is a professional photographer.

But definately a professional is worth the buck! You can't go back and take pictures later, so if you can afford it, why not. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, check out amateur photographers looking for opportunities to work on their skills (kijiji, etc.). The photos might not be as great as they could be, but the photographer will still have used a good camera.

Speaking of.. I bought a couple hundred dollar camera a few years ago and paid another $150 for a portrait lense. Definately a great investment if someone is considering it, portrait lenses are perfect for kids. Then you can snap good quality photos as you want!

I just bought a Nikon D3200 because I want to make those everyday special moments printable. I have two lenses, but know nothing about them. (18-55mm and 55mm-200mm) Lol. What kind of portrait lens so you have?

CateOfChicago · March 2015

Check your hospital. Most in my area have them come by your hospital room on day 2. I paid $135 for the disk of 20 images. They turned out great. The pic in my sig of dd in the pink blanket is one of them. If not, try groupon, students from your local college, etc. you could ask on Facebook. There are always a few friends doing amateur photography. Still no luck, go to jc penny or Sears.

purtelle · March 2015

Speaking as a newborn photographer I am completely biased. With that said, photos are not something you can ever replace. Add up what you have spent on a nursery. Our crib lasted 18mo with our first, our car seat and stroller less than a year. Good photos allow you to really remember the details of your baby. It's fine to take some photos on your own, but for the safety of your baby do not attempt things you see on Pinterest, many shots are composites or have spotters who are edited out. Same goes for hiring someone who is just starting out. This is your baby, you wouldn't put them in a car with a new 16year old driver, same goes for a photographer. It will be worth every penny you spend.

auburnmamma · March 2015

As a STM and a photographer, let me add that those adorable sleepy newborn shots are best done in the first 10-14 days of birth. I had planned to do an entire session when my son was born but it was too demanding and my patience wasn't there.

There's a reason newborn photographers cost so much. It's not easy. Pay the money for a GOOD professional photographer. JC Penny's doesn't count. You won't regret it.

As far as lenses, each newborn photographer has their faves from the 105 macro to the 85 1.4 portrait. Both lenses aren't cheap and you'd be better off just hiring someone to take the photos.

Penwater1 · March 2015

I took the photos myself one afternoon when DD was in a happy mood and they turned out great. And I'm not a photographer by any means. So maybe give it a try yourself first, and if your not happy go for a photo shoot.

milgainey · March 2015

I'm having a 3d 4d session done and the package i choose came with a baby photography seesion. They partner with an infant photographer.

MixedCurlsXo · March 2015

Thank you ladies for all of your feedback!
I definitely agree that great pictures are worth the investment. After contacting practically every photographer in my area, I think I've finally found my photographer! She's on the pricey side (nowhere near $2000 like the first studio I found) and her photos are amazing. She's going to do our newborn & 6 month old pictures.

laurendutch · March 2015

My cousin is an amazing photographer and will be doing them for free

so excited! She does the lifestyle shoots on the bed.

I'll pay her in the Fall for new family pictures.

Luckily, around here we have great studios that take amazing photos for $89 and 25 pictures on a disc. If I didn't have my cousin, I'd go there!

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