Why Should I Hire A Professional Newborn Photographer? | Michigan Newborn Photographer

How can a client know how to hire a professional photographer?

I love being a photographer. It is certainly my dream job. Even though there is so much work involved with being in this profession-I love it so much that work never feels like “work”. I am truly so blessed to have found my dream job this early in my life-so I can spend the rest of it doing what I love! I get many, many emails a day from people wanting to book sessions. It is always best to do your research when you decide to hire a photographer. To me, newborn photography is one of the most important sessions to have because the newborn stage is so short and babies change so fast. I have had questions before on why hiring a professional is important. There are many reasons-and most people don’t know if they aren’t educated on the differences. I am so glad I know these things now because when I have a newborn, I will be hiring the best (from out of state) to come and photograph my newborn. Yes, it’s THAT important to me!
I decided to make this blog post to help people to see why it is important to hire a professional photographer-especially someone who specializes in the art of newborn photography. (Of course this can apply to any kind of session- wedding, senior, family, etc) So when you hire one always be sure to keep these things in mind.

Look at their work.
A professional photographer should have a website you can look at. (and not one of those free ones, like wix.com) There are always those people who just take pictures for fun-a friend, a cousin, your Uncle Bill. There is definitely nothing wrong with letting them practice and using your baby as a model to gain experience. However, there are many who do both-let their friends practice for free, AND hire a professional. Everyone likes free photos, but remember-they are free for a reason. You get what you pay for! Be sure to look at all the galleries when deciding who to hire. Does their gallery speak to you? Does it make you excited to be able to get photos like them? These photos you are investing in will be around for many generations to come. You will want to show them to your son’s first girlfriend. You’ll be bringing them out when you are planning their senior open house. That time you are getting ready for your daughter’s wedding, or comparing them to how much they look like your future grandchildren. When you look at them in the years to come it will bring you back to those first special moments-and you will have no regrets in investing in a professional to capture them!
I am including some visual images so you can see the difference between professional and non. To be fair, I am just editing my photos to look like the ones I am speaking of-instead of posting other people’s work. These are my images, but NOT how they look 🙂
1. Overexposed images-
These are photos that are “too bright”. Good light and exposure is key to good photography. Photos that are overexposed generally mean the red channel is blown-which means that the photos will not print correctly anywhere.

2. White balance–
Proper white balance is very important with photographing newborns. Newborns rarely come with perfect skin. There are newborns that are really red, and newborns that are jaundiced. There are newborns that have creamy and smooth skin, and newborns that have blemishes. Correct white balance is done in camera-and even if a newborn comes with perfect skin-the colors can still be off! The image below is a white blanket. If the white balance is done incorrectly, it can be any color, and also make the baby a weird color as well.

3. Focus-
This is probably one of the most important things in a photograph. Believe it or not, I have seen images people have actually paid for and the subject is out of focus! This can be for a number of reasons. Either the image is blurry or they missed focus completely on the subject. This is one of the basics of photography-make sure their images are in focus before ever considering them!

Are they a true professional?
Would you go to a Doctor that wasn’t running a legal business? Would you trust your car with a mechanic who didn’t take their business seriously? These are extreme examples-but they all have the same point. Your newborn is a priceless miracle that you have been given. Their first few moments are so fleeting. Their tiny toes, their squishy lips, their perfect bodies. Why trust your precious bundle with anyone but a professional? Here are some ways to tell when you are researching photographers who is professional, and who isn’t.
1. Do they charge professional prices?
Just as any other business, if there is no profit, there is no way that it will last. There are lots of costs associated with running a photography business.

• Taxes- If your photographer is charging bare minimum-they are clearly not paying taxes and running a legitimate business. Like the old saying goes-you get what you pay for.
• Insurance- Ask any photographer you are looking to hire if they have insurance. If they do not have it-RUN! Do not trust your precious children with anyone who doesn’t take the requirements of running a business and apply them.
• Equipment- Does your photographer have professional photography equipment? There are DSLRs now for people of all different levels. To get a good, professional quality camera you can look to spend $3000+ for just the body alone. Every photographer knows things can happen, and they must have a backup. Not just some entry level camera either-it must be of the same quality in case their main camera breaks. This way they can deliver the same quality photographs in any emergency. Most lenses cost as much or more than their camera. Having high end lighting equipment is important as well if your photographer uses studio lights. (That’s me!)
• Props- Anyone who has had a session with me knows the vast array of props I have for newborn sessions. This includes hats, headbands, buckets, wagons, blankets, furs, floors, carriages, and countless others. Getting all these things are not cheap-especially if you buy a lot of antiques. I work with the best vendors who make these hats and items for a living. They use high quality yarns and have the sizing down perfectly! I know how trends go, and I know what is timeless. Like I always tell clients-you want it look good in 50 years when the people in the future are wearing metal clothes and are confused at what we have the babies in. 🙂

2. Ask about their experience.
Generally, a photographer’s work can speak for itself. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words, right? How long has your photographer been in business? Have they invested in classes to further their trade? I myself am self taught and haven’t had any training. But I am grateful to have pursued my dreams and never gave up. I have some wonderful friends who have helped me along the way too. I have worked with hundreds of newborns and am always told by my clients I am a “newborn whisperer”. I know how they work. I have researched the best ways to keep them sleeping, how to tell if they need to burp, and so much more. I love everything about these amazing babies I work with. That is why I haven’t “worked a day in my life”-I am very passionate about what I do. Also, always ask for references. Usually photographers will have them on their website. You can also check Google-they have reviews that you can leave-and I am so grateful to everyone who has left them for me! You can get a good idea of how this photographer is when you read them. If you can’t find them anywhere, ask the photographer for a couple-I am sure they’d love to send you them!

Newborn Safety!
This is definitely the most important and why you want a true professional to handle your little bundle. Unfortunately, many do not know the power of Photoshop. There are beginners who get a camera, and start a business the next day without any ideas on how to work with babies. Remember, babies are HUMANS. They must be treated with the utmost care, respect, and honor. They are priceless, and will grow up to change the world. I have heard horror stories of things that these people do with newborns and it makes me really sad. You must take precautions. Every baby is different, and you must always expect them to be moving. I am always inches away, or I have a parent close as well. I don’t really hang babies from branches-it’s done in Photoshop. If I do, I must have at least 3 assistants to help. When I have babies in baskets there is always a spotter. You can never be too safe! Here is an example of just a little of the work that goes into a photo. So, when you hire a photographer, you aren’t just hiring them for their camera, props, or ability to copy others-you are hiring them to have a great understanding of Photoshop and an ability to enhance your images!

I hope that you have learned a lot in this article I have written regarding this very important topic. There is SO much more I could cover. I can’t tell you how many countless clients I have had call me crying saying they went the cheap route and that now their newborn is not a newborn anymore-and they can’t get it back. Newborn photography is an art-and not everyone “has it”. The ability to see an image before you take it, and to capture these moments isn’t something that can be learned-it comes naturally. The good news is there are plenty of photographers out there for every kind of style, and budget. Look for someone who is honest, walks in integrity, and is passionate about their job!

Lastly-just something fun I’d like to share. Since I missed out on getting newborn photos of myself-since this kind of photography didn’t exist back then-I had the pleasure of taking some of myself with my tripod. Here is one of my favorites 🙂

Much Love,
Jen

NOTE-I have had a lot of people ask if they can share this. Of course, feel free to share the link anywhere! 🙂

Jen Priester Photography
www.jenPphoto.com
Michigan Newborn, Family, Wedding and Baby Photographer