Nowadays, anyone can buy a camera, assume that as a parent, they can handle newborns, and call themselves a newborn photographer. If you’re looking for a newborn photographer near me on Google or asking in a local Moms Group on Facebook, a lot of results will come up. How can you possibly determine who to hire? I encourage you to do additional research and take the necessary time to find a trustworthy newborn photographer to work with.

The newborn photography industry is very much unregulated. That means it’s easy for anyone to call themselves a newborn photographer. We are not a licensed profession in Connecticut, although this is something I would personally love to see changed in the future. This is your precious newborn baby that we’re talking about, and if anything, there should be more scrutiny on who is handling them!! As a CT newborn photographer, I prioritize the delivery of professional, high-quality images as well as the health and safety of your newborn. 

I’m very passionate about newborn photography. As a mom myself, I treasure every image from my daughter’s first days. BUT I thought I could photograph these myself, a week after a c-section delivery. That was completely out of the question, and because I didn’t know enough colleagues in the industry at the time, her newborn stage came and went. Don’t be like me! I know how much you’ll treasure your newborn images and artwork as the years go by. My clients deserve a stress-free newborn photography experience, and I work hard to deliver on that promise.

Today, I’d love to share what you should know about CT newborn photography safety. 

Black and white image of a newborn

What to Look for in a Newborn Photographer 

When you’re looking for a newborn photographer near me, look on the photographer’s website for any certifications or training he or she has received. This will show you that they take their work very seriously and invest in high-quality training. As I mentioned above, this is an unregulated industry, so look for photographers who take pride in their work and continuing education. This shows that they truly care.

Black and white image of mom and dad holding their newborn

After much hard work, I obtained my Master Newborn Photography designation from the NAPCP. This took a lot of time, effort, and investment on my part, and I was glad to do it so I could provide an ever-better service for my smallest clients. 

Studio newborn portrait

I’ve spent years investing in hands-on training with some of the best newborn photographers in the world, including Son Kissed Photography, Erin Tole Photography, and TG Photography. Again, I didn’t have to do any of this, but I chose to. It takes effort, and in this case, a really large financial investment, but it was what I felt was necessary to truly learn the craft well. I also enjoy attending online education workshops annually to continue my education. 

Pretty in pink during a newborn photoshoot

Does your photographer carry the necessary business liability insurance and is registered? Most don’t know that the minimum recommended coverage for newborn photographers is $2 million. That’s more than wedding photographers and most building contractors! You can easily look up a business on the Secretary of State’s website to confirm registration, as well as read their online reviews for better insight from actual customers. All of this ensures continued commitment by the photographer to work with your newborn baby safely.

Family’s first official portrait

5 Ways We Keep Newborn Babies Safe and Happy During Sessions 

1. Baby-Led Sessions – I always explain to clients that their baby runs the show. We go into the session with a common workflow goal, but we always follow the baby’s lead. I would never force a baby into an unsafe pose (more on that below), and the baby’s comfort is my top priority. I typically book the entire morning for my newborn sessions so that we’re never in a rush. It’s very rare that I have to reschedule a session because the baby isn’t having it, but if we need to reschedule, it’s okay! There is always a way to adjust posing and wrapping for baby’s comfort to still have beautiful photos.

Sweet newborn girl poses for portrait

Newborn girl sleeps on a white lace pillow during photoshoot

2. Keeping the Studio Comfortable – For my studio sessions, I turn up the heat and make sure the baby is nice and cozy. I have a few other tricks to keep the baby comfortable. I want your entire family to feel welcome and comfortable here in the studio. For in-home lifestyle newborn sessions, I am still in tune with your baby to ensure they are comfortable and happy! Did you know that newborns usually need the temperature to be between 75-82 degrees to be comfortable (naked)? I am constantly monitoring the studio temperature to ensure we are in a safe range.

The studio is always snuggly and warm

Safe and gentle posing with newborn photography-specific props

3. Using Props Specifically Designed for Newborn Photography – My newborn props didn’t just come from anywhere! And you cannot purchase them in a retail store. My props are specifically for newborn photography sessions. I invest in high-quality props, wraps, and outfits from vendors all over the world so that your images turn out beautiful and keep your baby safe throughout the session.

Professional, high-quality newborn props and wraps

Safe posing techniques

4. Safe Posing Techniques – Newborn babies cannot hold themselves up or support their bodies; most weight early on is in their heads. This means it’s sometimes a multi-step process, or composite image, to create a beautiful image that is also safe.

This particular bucket pose is a popular one. It involves many layers to ensure the baby is photographed at the right angle and that nothing will hurt them. A number of soft pillows and fabrics are added all around and underneath them based on their size to keep them firmly in place. Most importantly, the bucket is counter-weighted to ensure it doesn’t tip. 

The favorite newborn bucket pose

Finally, once I have them in place, a parent is always placed next to the bucket as a spotter, with hands-on or above the baby as needed. Sometimes, we’ll do a composite image if the baby isn’t deeply sleeping. All of this ensures a beautiful photo and a happy baby!

Another popular pose is the Froggie Pose! This is actually because of some gentle, safe posing and PhotoShop Magic. Typically, the baby’s sweet head is gently held while I take two different images. After the session, I use PhotoShop to create a composite and edit the hands out of the image. Always a favorite pose! 

The sweet newborn froggy pose

5. Session Timing – I typically schedule a newborn session within the first 14 days of life because this is when baby is sleepy and snuggly. (We can schedule sessions after this time as well!) I also schedule your session around your family. 

As a mom myself, I completely understand the craziness that is the postpartum period. I usually block off the entire morning for your session. We might not need all that time, but it’s good to have it scheduled. I expect you to need a few breaks during the session as well as the baby needing breaks for feeding and changing. We want your entire family to be as comfortable as possible throughout the appointment.  

Your whole family is relaxed and comfortable during the session

I hope this sheds some light on newborn photography safety so you feel comfortable searching for your CT newborn photographer. Your baby is so precious and so new! Find a photographer that you can trust to capture incredible images and artwork for you to treasure safely. 

Safe posing with older sibling

CT Newborn Photographer 

Hi! My name is Kristin Vacca of The Flash Lady Photography. I’ve photographed hundreds of newborns over the years and regularly invest in training to improve my craft. If you’re looking for CT newborn photography, I’d be happy to chat with you and answer any questions you may have. Please check out more of my newborn photography work on this page.