Questions to Ask Before Booking a Newborn Photographer: A Seattle Photographer's Honest Guide
Choosing a newborn photographer is a bigger decision than it might seem.
You're inviting someone to photograph your baby during one of the most tender, exhausting, and meaningful times of your life. Getting it right matters.
After 27 years as a newborn photographer in Seattle, I've heard a lot of questions, and I know the ones that parents often forget to ask.
This guide covers both.
Consider it the list I'd want every family to have before they book anyone, including me.
1. What is your experience with newborns specifically?
Photographing newborns is a specialty.
It requires not just photography skills, but an understanding of infant behavior, safe handling, how to soothe a fussy baby, how to read cues, and how to create a calm environment for parents who are also in the middle of one of the most overwhelming experiences of their lives. So choosing a photographer with a lot of experience is a must!
Ask how long the photographer has been working with newborns, and ask to see a portfolio that's specifically of newborn work, not just their general portfolio.
Look for consistency. Can they create beautiful images in different sessions, with different babies? That's a sign of real skill.
And do they specialize in working with newborn and infants?
2. What is your approach to posing?
This question matters more than most parents realize. Here’s what you don’t know about newborn posing:
There are two main approaches to newborn posing.
Traditional or "prop" posing places babies in elaborate setups and sometimes in positions that require careful composite photography or significant manipulation, like the well-known "froggy" pose or "taco" pose.
When done by an experienced photographer with proper training, these poses can be safe. But they DO require specific training to be done without risk.
My philosophy is has always been, if a photographer needs to be trained on how not to injure a baby when posing, maybe they just shouldn’t do the pose.
Which is why I prcatice baby-led posing.
Baby-led posing means that I only place babies in positions that are natural and comfortable for them to be in: so, on their back, on their side, on their stomach, or in a parent's arms.
I let the baby lead the flow. And I will never place them in a pose that seems uncomfortable or has a negative impact on their circulation.
Neither approach is right or wrong, but you should know what you're signing up for when booking a photographer. So always ask the photographer to explain their posing philosophy, and how they ensure baby safety throughout the session.
3. How do you handle safety?
Safety should be the most important thing in any newborn session, and a confident, experienced photographer will be happy to talk about it.
Questions worth asking:
Do you have formal training in newborn safety?
How do you handle composite poses (images that look like one shot but are actually multiple images combined)?
What do you do if a baby becomes distressed during the session?
Is your studio or equipment sanitized between sessions?
Are your vaccines current?
A photographer who is defensive or vague about safety practices is a red flag. The answer should feel thorough and reassuring.
4. What is included in the session fee?
Pricing in newborn photography can be genuinely confusing, and it's worth asking clearly what's included before you fall in love with someone's work.
Some photographers charge a low session fee but price products (digital files, prints, albums) separately. Others include everything in one package.
Neither model is better or worse, but you should understand what you're actually paying before you commit.
At Sandra Coan Photography, the session fee includes my time and talent, plus approximately 50 beautifully edited images delivered in a private online gallery.
Digital files and albums are available as add-ons and priced separately. You can see the full pricing at sandracoan.com/investment.
5. When do you recommend scheduling the session?
A knowledgeable newborn photographer will have a clear, informed answer to this question, and it tells you a lot about their experience.
The ideal window for newborn photography is within the first 5 to 10 days after birth. During this period, babies are sleepiest, they curl naturally, and they're easiest to soothe.
A photographer who understands infant development will know this and will have a system for scheduling around your due date with flexibility built in.
If a photographer seems indifferent about timing, or suggests anytime in the first month without any nuance, that's worth noting.
6. What happens if my baby is fussy or doesn't cooperate?
Every experienced newborn photographer has an answer to this, because every experienced newborn photographer has dealt with it. A lot.
Ask how they handle babies who won't settle, who need frequent feeding breaks, or who are having a hard day. The answer should feel calm and reassuring — not like it's an unusual problem they haven't considered.
My answer: we slow down. We feed, soothe, take a break, and try again. Sessions are not rushed. Nothing is forced.
7. What is your style, and will it still look good in 10 years?
Photography styles go in and out of fashion. Heavy filters, oversaturated colors, elaborate props, heavily themed setups, these can look dated quickly.
Look at a photographer's portfolio with that question in mind.
Do the images feel timeless, or are they clearly a product of a particular moment in trend culture? Are the images about the baby and family, or about the props and setup?
The images you're making now will be on your walls and in your albums for decades. It's worth thinking about whether you'll still love the aesthetic in 20 years.
8. Where will the session take place?
Studio and in-home sessions offer genuinely different experiences and results. Ask where the photographer works and what the environment will look like.
If they work in a studio, ask about the space — the temperature, the equipment, what's available for parents and siblings. If they work in-home, ask how they handle homes with limited natural light (relevant in Seattle, especially in fall and winter).
9. How long does a session typically take?
Newborn sessions are not quick. A well-paced session that allows for feeding, soothing, and real moments typically runs about an hour, sometimes a bit longer. Be wary of photographers promising 30-minute sessions — that's usually not enough time to do a thoughtful, unhurried newborn session.
10. How and when will I receive my images?
Ask about the turnaround time, how images are delivered, and what the ordering process looks like.
At my studio, images are delivered in a private online gallery approximately two weeks after the session. If you order digital files, you can download them directly from the gallery. Albums are handled through my studio manager, and products are shipped directly to your home.
One Last Thing
After you've asked all of these questions, trust your gut about how the photographer made you feel.
Did they answer your questions confidently and warmly?
Did they seem genuinely interested in you and your baby, or were they just trying to close a booking?
Did you feel like your baby would be in good hands?
Technical skills matter. Experience matters. But so does the human connection. This person is going to be with you during a really significant moment in your life. So choose someone you feel you can trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I ask a newborn photographer before booking?
Ask about their experience with newborns specifically, their posing and safety approach, what's included in the session fee, their recommended timing, and how they handle fussy babies. See the full list above for more.
How do I know if a newborn photographer is safe?
Ask directly about their safety training, how they handle composite poses, and whether their studio or equipment is sanitized. A confident, experienced photographer will answer these questions thoroughly.
What is baby-led posing?
Baby-led posing means placing newborns only in positions that are natural and comfortable for them — on their back, side, or stomach, or in a parent's arms — rather than putting them in elaborate or unnatural setups.
How long does a newborn photography session last?
A well-paced session typically runs about an hour, with time built in for feeding, soothing, and breaks as needed.
When should newborn photos be taken?
The ideal window is within the first 5 to 10 days after birth, when babies are sleepiest and curl most naturally.
Learn more about Sandra Coan Photography's newborn approach →