6 questions to ask your Newborn Photographer

This week on the blog we're going to discuss some important questions that I think every parent needs to ask the photographer that will be creating portrait photos of their precious baby. I will list the questions and then my answers, but even if you don't choose me to photograph your baby I would highly recommend these questions be asked of any newborn photographer to make sure you get the best and safest person to work with your family.
​
First the questions:
1. Are you ​a registered business and are you insured?
2. How is safety a priority for your business?
3. Do you have a studio or will you come to our home?
4. What is your background?
5. Do you use an assistant?
6. What age do you consider "newborn"?


Now my answers and why I think it is important to ask each question:
1. Are you a registered business and are you insured?
Yes Jessica Esplin Photography is registered as a business with the State of California and Santa Clara County. Yes I am insured through PPA. Yes I have general liability insurance. 
I think this is important to differentiate those who will take photography seriously and those who are just doing this as a hobby. The very first thing I did before I started accepting money from clients was to make sure to register for a business license complete with tax number and all fees associated paid up front. Having a business license means I have permission to run my business here in Santa Clara County. I also make sure to get any appropriate permits that are required in order to be allowed to photograph professionally at the outdoor locations where I take my clients.
According to the Law Tog, "(Liability) insurance is especially critical for photographers working in sensitive specializations (wedding, newborn, extreme sports, etc.) This insurance works as an umbrella to provide protection against legal actions arising from injuries, accidents and other claims." When it comes to the client's perspective this is the most important insurance for their photographer to have because it deals with the client directly if there is ever an accident or related issue. We all hope we never need to make a claim on our insurance but it is there "just in case". Better safe than sorry.

​2. How is safety a priority for your business?
Safety is SOOOO important for me and my business. I have had ongoing training from a newborn physiologist and a one time online training conference hosted by SIB that featured a registered neonatal nurse (who specializes in neonatal guidelines as a consultant for the government). I have also had training online specifically for safety from one of the best newborn photographer around the world Kelly Brown. Kelly Brown is one of the top advocates for newborn safety and has taught it often. The training I have had covered newborn physiology, reflexes and safety as well as the best practices when handling a newborn baby in a variety of photographic poses that are used in my business. 
I make sure to sanitize my props before every session (which is one reason I limit my newborn sessions to one per day). I wash my hands before touching any baby. I am vaccinated and get my yearly flu shot. I move newborns very gently and follow their cues. I use Photoshop to create composite images of any pose that requires more support. Let me know if you have any questions about what any of these precautions mean.

3. Do you have a studio or will you come to our home?
I am exclusively an on location photographer. My family and maternity sessions take place outdoors in a variety of locations around the Bay Area. My newborn sessions take place in my client's home. For me it is important to visit my clients' homes because becoming a new parent is a huge challenge. I want you to be comfortable in your own environment. I don't want you to have to worry about getting stuck in traffic. I don't want you to worry about going outside your home where you might encounter a variety of germs that exist there. I don't want you to worry about forgetting something at home. If you need an outfit change (in case the baby pees or poos on you!) I want you to have options and to be able to change in the comfort of you own space. I think having a session in your own home makes the session easier for you. I could go on and on, but let me just say that I think it is important to feel safe and secure and what better place than your own home. In my newborn prep guide I let you know how to prepare your home for your session (what you do and what you don't need to do to get ready).

4. What is your background?
I have studied newborn photography since 2013. I have learned from many newborn photography instructors including: Kelly Brown, Julia Kelleher, Ana Brandt, Luisa Dunn, and many more. I attend an annual online newborn photography conference hosted by Lisa DiGeso with The Milky Way. I am a mom of three kids. I also am in charge of caring for the older babies in my church's nursery. Which means I know all of the best toddler songs that are popular these days to help get the attention of your older baby! Ha ha!

5. Do you use an assistant?
I do not use an assistant at this point. If there is ever a pose that I use that needs an extra pair of hands I will ask baby's mom or dad or other adult available at the session. I most closely follow the methodology of Kelly Brown  in my newborn photography business; she also uses her clients as her newborn assistant as needed. 
This is a good question to ask to make sure that someone whether it is you or a dedicated assistant is helping the photographer out with difficult poses. There really are certain poses that should absolutely not be created solely by the photographer; it takes a team to create certain poses. Some of these poses are called: froggy pose, potato sack pose, and occasionally the chin on hands pose. And while I'm talking about poses I want to point out that some poses are created with Photoshop Magic: a good example of this is the hanging/stork pose. Baby should never be held suspended over anything because there is a greater risk of falling. Someone should be near the baby at all times just in case the baby startles and moves rapidly into an unsafe position.

​6. What age do you consider "newborn"?
For most of the newborn photography world the best time to photograph a newborn baby is when they are under 14 days old (sometimes younger than 10 days old is recommended). After two weeks babies are generally more awake and a little harder to settle into the iconic curly newborn poses. Additionally, things like colic and baby acne often start to manifest after about two weeks of age. However I as a mother understand that having a baby often turns your life upside down and so I will gladly accept a baby for a newborn session up to six weeks of age (after that they can still be photographed in a non-newborn Portrait session). If this is the case with your baby please just let me know when you book so we can discuss the limitations and manage expectations of your older newborn's photography experience.
Some photographers draw a firm line when it comes to the age that they will photograph a newborn. If your baby is "too old" you are out of luck with those photographers. And I don't think that is very fair. And I love all of the babies, so I will be happy to photograph them!