I would just like to share this again as it is so important and something I discuss with all inquiries for newborn photography. Educating my clients is one of the most important pieces to my job and is key to delivering an exceptional experience. You may be coming to me for photos but I believe that is just a portion of what you are hiring me for and what you deserve from your photographer. Newborn safety is the number one priority.
Anyone who is or plans to be taking part in newborn photography absolutely NEEDS to know and understand every aspect of it, not just how cute and fun it is. It’s not a game, it’s not play time or dress up, not when you’re working with a real, live, fragile and moving helpless human being. These babies don’t know any better but they too trust us with their life and parents need to be assured that their baby is in the safest hands at all times.
My clients say that I am patient, professional, easy to work with and knowledgeable. I aim to deliver no less to each and every client and to do this I need to put just as much into my education and training otherwise I too am just ‘playing’. I book clients for my passion for newborn safety, parents NEED to know this is what you do.
While I just adore every baby that comes to my studio and love creating beautiful images of them, I focus on safety and baby’s comfort at all times. Parents see that I refuse to do anything unsafe or uncomfortable for their baby and they appreciate it very much.
I solve a problem for my clients before they even meet me or bring their new baby for a session. Newborn safety is one of their biggest fears.
New parents have a lot of fears and letting someone else handle their baby is one of them. They fear people they know handling their baby, how do you think they feel about a stranger handing their baby? I reassure them and I show them their baby is safe in my hands.
New parents are tired, they’re looking for someone who will lift worry and fear off their shoulders, maybe allow them an hour or two of rest while someone else takes care of things. They need to feel secure that they are trusting their most valuable possession in the right hands so they can relax even for a short time. This is something their photographer should bring for them, not added fear or stress.
This should be the only way all photographers operate if they are to be working with newborns, no exceptions. I’ve been asked for certain poses but some babies are not sleepy, comfortable or flexible enough for them. I don’t just tell them no, I explain why.
I do my best to deliver what parents ask for, however my sessions are led by their baby. The baby will tell me what they are are are not okay with, I listen to the baby. No photo is worth risking the safety of comfort of the baby.
If you are in the market for a newborn photographer, please do your research and ask questions. If you are a photographer who is or wants to be working with newborns, please do it right. Not only for yourself but for your clients, take the necessary steps that are imperative to safe handling of newborns. There is no way around it, with newborn safety there are no shortcuts and there are no excuses.
Melony Matson, your newborn, child and family photographer
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