Newborn Photography- Why is it so expensive? Holly Brummert Photography - Stow, Ohio Photographer

A question I get a lot when parents inquire about a newborn session is why does it cost so much? I can't imagine spending that much!

As a specialized newborn photographer I get tagged and recommended in Facebook groups where people are looking for a newborn photographer. It makes me happy when I see that people have tagged me because that means they like my work! I have fun imagining how I can help create beautiful images for this family and give them a one of a kind experience and photos of their beautiful baby that will last a lifetime. I then read on to see the words that no professional photographer wants to hear , "looking for someone who doesn't cost an arm and a leg", or "a photographer who won't break the bank" In my heart I know that after I respond with my information, they won't respond after I send them my price sheet or once they see my investment page, they won't look any further. It's not that I am crazy expensive, my pricing is more on the lower end for an educated photographer who does specialized newborn sessions. So why do you think folks think that newborn photography is way too expensive? I will take some time to break down why newborn sessions are so expensive and why we charge what we do.

The most important reason for the higher price point, has to do with safety and what classes have been taken to ensure you know how to safely complete a newborn session. Newborn safety should be a top priority to any professional newborn photographer. Babies can easily overheat if the temperature is too hot or they can get very chilled if it's too cold. If they aren't supported properly in poses, they can loose their air supply by having the head tilted too far forward. They can have joints come out of socket in poses that aren't safe and should be done as a composite. God has gifted you with the most amazing gift that will ever be given to you so you need to protect them and make sure they are in the safest hands possible.

I have taken courses on how to pose, wrap, and photograph your baby safely. It costs a lot of money and takes a great deal of time to know how to do these things the right way. For to often I see people who are just starting out, offer newborn session with extremely cheap prices and poor quality images and dangerous poses that show a lack of knowledge on how to safely complete a newborn session. I am a mom of 3 and I learned many things in my classes that I did not know prior to taking them so just because I am a mom and have handled newborns, did not mean I could safely handle/pose your newborn during a session. I plead with you do not hire these people to take your most precious gift out of your protective arms and place them in a potentially life threatening situation. Everyone has to start somewhere but newborn photographers should not be charging a fee until they have the taken classes on newborn photography and safety.

As a professional photographer, it's all about QUALITY and the customer service experience.

I take a lot of pride and put forth a lot of effort to be able to provide the photography sessions that I do. I pride myself on making my clients feel like the are the most important people in the room and want them to feel confident booking me from our very first communication. I only use high quality, mostly handmade props and outfits. I have an enormous selection of gorgeous backdrops. To be honest, I have invested thousands of dollars for the props, backdrops, outfits, that I have purchased. I researched and invested in one of the best digital cameras on the market and have a large variety of lenses to suit any aspect of photography. I also have high end studio lighting to make sure your images are well lit and professional looking. I did not invest in cheaply made props and outfits as I want your images to look like they are fit for a magazine cover and want you to be proud to display them on your walls.

Offering a Professional Service means

That I have taken the necessary steps to becoming a licensed business which means that I pay taxes and have professional equipment. Just because I have a professional camera does not make me a professional photographer! I took classes to learn how to use my camera and what settings to use in a variety of lighting situations to create professional images. Learning how to use your camera in conjunction with professional studio lighting is not easy and takes time and money to master.

So my point in creating this post is to show why the thing you hold most dear and would sacrifice your life for, deserves to be treated with the utmost care and you deserve to receive images that are going to engrain the memory of this special moment in time into your mind/heart forever. You deserve to have professional quality images hanging on the walls in your home and displayed in albums to pass down to generations. Poor quality can leave you with nothing but regret and these special moments aren't something you can get back. Newborns are photographed in the first weeks of life so you can remember every detail of their sweet little bodies because as those sleep deprived weeks go by, you will forget some of the little things that are present in those first precious weeks so having a photograph to look back on will be something you will treasure long after they are grown. Poor quality images will last a lot longer than that higher price tag. Professional, high quality photography is going to be an investment that will be so worth it in the end. So, make a budget and set aside money every month of your pregnancy and by the time your nine months is up, it won't feel like it is out of your price range anymore. Researching and hiring a professional for your newborn images will give you peace of mind and give you beautiful photographic memories that you can look back on and pass on to your children. Your beautiful, high quality Images become an heirloom that lasts for generations.