San Diego Newborn Photography with The Portrait Mama

So you just had a baby and you want to get some beautiful newborn photos to remember this time by. You’ve seen all the gorgeous maternity and newborn photos on Instagram and Pinterest and you’re ready to get in on the action. But where do you start? And how do you make sure you end up with stunning newborn photos that you’ll cherish forever?

The Portrait Mama is here to help! I’m a luxury newborn photographer based in San Diego, and I specialize in creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind keepsake portraits for families. In this blog post, I’m going to share my top tips for getting stunning newborn photos that you’ll love. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Choose the right San Diego Newborn Photographer.

This is probably the most important tip of all! Not all photographers are created equal, and when it comes to newborn photography, you want to make sure you choose a photographer who has experience and expertise in the field. A newborn photographer needs to have more than technical photography knowledge, they must be extensively trained in newborn posing and safety! The last thing you want is for your baby’s first photo shoot to be unsafe and a disaster because your photographer didn’t know what they were doing. Do your research and read reviews before booking a photographer. Although cost is something to be mindful of, newborn photography is an art that requires lots of investment and training, so be suspicious of super cheap photographers. Your baby is the most important person in the world, and his/her safety comes first, so always err on the side of caution and choose an experienced professional over an amateur.

2. Plan ahead and book early.

If you want to ensure that you get a spot with your chosen photographer, it’s important to book early. Once baby arrives you have a short window for newborn photos (newborn photos are best done between 7 and 14 days after birth). The best thing is to schedule your newborn photography session at least 6-8 weeks in advance. So start planning as soon as you know your due date. That way, you can rest assured that we can discuss your preferences, and you’ll get the photos you want, at the right window of time.

3. Trust your photographer’s vision.

As your photographer, I will guide you through the entire process from start to finish so there’s no need to worry about outfits, poses or props will look best with your baby’s unique features. I send a questionnaire in advance (hello step number 2: Book early!) to understand your preferences and your family style, and from there I create something unique just for you. My goal is always to create timeless portraits that capture both the beauty and innocence of your new baby while also telling your family’s story. So trust me when I say that I know what I’m doing! 😉

4. Relax, go with the flow, and enjoy your time.

One of the best things about working with The Portrait Mama is that I take care of everything for you so all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the experience. Newborn photo shoots can be unpredictable (babies tend to have minds of their own!), but try not to stress too much about it. I will direct you throughout your family portraits and will pose your baby in ways that highlight their natural beauty and innocence. And if things get really crazy, we can always take breaks.

Last but not least, remember to have fun! This is supposed to be a memorable experience for everyone involved, so don’t take things too seriously. If your baby starts crying or won’t cooperate, it’s ok! I have lots of experience soothing and calming babies, and above all, I am very respectful of their comfort. At the end of the day, what matters most is a stress free environment that allows us to capture some beautiful memories that you’ll cherish forever.

Thanks for reading! I hope these tips were helpful in getting you excited about your upcoming newborn photo shoot with The Portrait Mama. If you have any other questions or would like more information about my services, please feel free to contact me or send me an email at hello@portraitmama.com . I can’t wait to meet you and your new bundle of joy!