When considering a Newborn Photography Investment, it’s important to understand the range of services available and the factors that influence the cost. This article will guide you through what to consider when deciding how much to invest in a newborn photography session to capture those precious first moments with your baby.

Why Does Why Do Newborn Photographers’ Prices Vary?

Newborn photographers’ prices differ due to various factors such as experience, client experience, and overall business sustainability. Different budgets yield different experiences. In this article, we will explore the services offered at various price points and the value of working with a beginner versus a professional photographer.

Determining What You Value

When deciding on your personal Newborn Photography Investment, you must consider what qualities and services are most valuable to you. Think about the specific needs of your family and how essential it is for your photographer to possess specific qualifications.

For example, when determining your values, consider the importance of the following qualifications for your photographer:

• Has experience working with newborns, toddlers, and young children, providing energy and enthusiasm throughout the session.
• Expertise in posing postpartum mothers, helping them feel beautiful and confident.
• Provides wardrobe and styling consultations to ensure you look your best.
• Coordinates professional hair and makeup for every session, adding a touch of luxury to your experience.
• Offers a full service, pampering experience from start to finish.
• Experienced in custom printing and framing services, turning your photos into pieces of art.
• Delivers a timeless, luxurious style that remains classic and never goes out of fashion.
• Runs a sustainable, reliable business that prioritizes customer satisfaction.
• Is a mother herself, understanding the unique challenges and dynamics of photo sessions with little ones.
• Produces a beautiful gallery wall of photographs with a cohesive style.
• Provides a tangible heirloom after your session, creating a lasting legacy for you and your family.

Family and newborn photographs can often be stressful events, but with the right photographer, it can be a smooth, enjoyable experience. When considering your newborn photography investment, think about the peace of mind and value that comes with a professional, experienced photographer who meets all your needs and more. These moments are fleeting, and it’s essential to capture them in a way that you will cherish for years to come.

The Real Cost of a Newborn Photographer

Beginner 0-200

Choosing a beginner photographer may be more budget-friendly, but it comes with potential drawbacks. Beginner photographers are usually in their first year of photography and are still refining their style. They may not have an established look, and the images might lack cohesion. New photographers typically provide a gallery of images without much guidance on creating tangible keepsakes. They may also lack experience in posing newborns and working with small children, which can affect the session’s flow.

What to expect from a brand-new photographer:

• A beginner photographer typically will not have a cohesive look established, and the images may feel very distracting and may not have a cohesive style
• You will likely be responsible for the wardrobe for your family and will not be provided with much guidance when it comes to styling
• New photographers charge a flat rate and will provide you with a large gallery of images leaving you feeling overwhelmed without guidance on how to create anything tangible from your session
• Lastly, new photographers likely do not have a ton of experience with posing or working with families and small children. This lack of experience can impact the session’s timing and the family’s stress levels. A brand-new photographer may work best for families who need a few photos done quickly

Amateur 200-400

Amateur photographers have more experience than beginners but are still honing their craft. They are likely to provide digital images and may have acquired some skills in soothing babies and capturing toddlers’ attention. However, they may still be working part-time in other jobs, which can limit their ability to provide a high-touch client experience.

The experience you might have investing in an amateur photographer: 

• The session price includes the digital images and nothing else
• The photographer has likely learned some tips on soothing babies and getting toddlers’ attention. However, the photographer may still be stiff, which will carry over to your photograph
• The photographer is likely still working part-time at another job which may not allow them to provide a high-touch client experience for you which will leave you to take care of the details such as wardrobe, hair and makeup, and high-quality artwork

Beginner Professional 600-1000

Beginner professional photographers have established their brand and style and operate their business full-time. They may offer wardrobe consultations, a client wardrobe, and have the capability to conduct a session in two hours or less. They are likely to have a session fee in addition to the cost of digital files.

When you invest in beginner professional photographers, you may get this experience:

• Beginners often have an established brand and style and work on this full-time. They are also likely overbooked to meet their business financial goals
• They may have a session fee in addition to their digital files cost as they’re learning to value their time more
• At this point, they are making more connections and may have returning clients. 
• Beginners likely have a cohesive style. They may or may not have studio space and are likely to offer wardrobe consultations or a limited client wardrobe
• Beginner photographers can photograph a session in two hours or less, including the time it takes to soothe a fussy baby or feed/change. This photographer would be ideal for a client looking for newborn photos on a limited budget

Professional: 1500-5000+

Professional photographers provide a luxury experience with every detail taken care of, including wardrobe, hair, makeup, printing, and framing. They have the expertise to work in various locations and focus on capturing authentic family moments. Professionals are adept at managing time, soothing children and newborns, and creating timeless photographs that you will cherish forever.

• Every detail will be taken care of, including wardrobe, hair and makeup, printing, and framing
• Professional photographers will understand how to work in various locations, both in and outdoors
• Professional photographers will focus on authentic moments with your family
• Managing time and the overall session will come quickly to them
• Being able to soothe children and newborns will be second-hand thinking for them

Read https://tarafederico.com/2022/11/16/south-jersey-newborn-photographer-how-to/ to learn how to choose a photographer.

Factors Influencing a Newborn Photographer’s Price

Several factors influence a newborn photographer’s pricing, including:

• Years of experience
• Knowledge in running a sustainable business and building client relationships
• Business costs such as marketing materials and editing software
• The quality of the product offered
• Services provided, such as wardrobe consultations, client wardrobe, hair and makeup, and artwork selections (e.g., fine art custom frames, heirloom albums, matted prints, birth announcements)
• The number of clients worked with and the level of service provided

Navigating the decision of your own newborn photography investment can be overwhelming, especially considering the irreplaceable nature of capturing those fleeting moments of tiny toes and precious dimples. I hope this guide has shed light on the varying tiers of photography and the distinct experiences each provides. Feel free to reach out if you have any further questions or wish to share your thoughts in the comments below.

In conclusion, ponder this essential question: “What value do you place on preserving your time and legacy for future generations?”

About Tara Federico Photography: 

Tara Federico Photography is a South Jersey Photographer who specializes in lifestyle maternity, newborn, and family photography and helps busy moms receive timeless heirloom artwork. Using light wardrobe colors and natural light, Tara Federico captures every stage of motherhood. Whether it’s at your own home or Tara’s Haddonfield, NJ studio, Tara provides hair, makeup, and a client wardrobe for a luxury experience. Tara Federico Photography aims to provide a stress-free session for new parents so they can focus on the connection to their family.