Newborn FAQs
Whether this is your first newborn session or your first session with April Cunningham Photography, you may have questions about the process...lots of questions. I'm here to say that is completely normal and I am always available to help clarify and put you at ease. I've put together a list of commonly asked questions. If you don't find the information below that you're looking for, please reach out to me at [email protected].
When should I schedule my newborn session?
Scheduling your session early is always better to ensure a spot on my calendar. Ideally, you should book your session at the start of your second trimester. I take a limited number of newborn sessions each month and booking early guarantees your spot. However, if you're booking later into your pregnancy, that is okay too! I always welcome you reaching out leading up to your delivery date or sometimes even after baby has arrived. If I'm available, I'll happily put you on my calendar and if I'm fully booked, I can refer you to another local photographer.
How do we select a date when babies arrive on their own schedule?
This is a great question and probably the one I get most often. What's that saying?... "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." Well that couldn't be more true of planning for a baby's arrival. My process is to use your due date as a placeholder on my booking calendar. Most often, your session will occur within 2-3 weeks around your due date. By limiting the number of booking I accept, I'm able to offer flexibility for those early and late arrivals which is more often than not the case for most newborns.
Once you are admitted into labor and delivery or you receive a scheduled c-section/induction date, please notify me via email. I don't expect to be your first call but it is helpful to know soon after your baby is born. From there we will select a date and time for your session. Contacting me sooner rather than later allows us to have the most time for planning. If you wait until you're released from the hospital and settled in at home, we may have fewer options available for scheduling.
Once you are admitted into labor and delivery or you receive a scheduled c-section/induction date, please notify me via email. I don't expect to be your first call but it is helpful to know soon after your baby is born. From there we will select a date and time for your session. Contacting me sooner rather than later allows us to have the most time for planning. If you wait until you're released from the hospital and settled in at home, we may have fewer options available for scheduling.
How old should my baby be when we come for our session?
You may have heard some people say that babies must be between 5-15 days to photograph. While babies are generally more easily posed during that timeframe, every baby is different. In my experience, there is no universal magic age for getting the best newborn photos. My goal is get your baby into the studio within the first 4 weeks of life. I have photographed babies as early as 5 days old and as old as 8 weeks. Sometimes parents decide to book after baby has arrived or baby has had to spend some additional time in the hospital. Either way, please reach out even if you feel like your baby might be "too old." I'm here to tell you that you can still get beautiful keepsake photos of an older baby. Experienced, professional newborn photographers understand how to work with babies of all ages.
Do you include parent/sibling/family photos in the newborn session?
Please review my photo collections. Each collection details what is included. The Memory Collection is a short and sweet 1 hour session that includes the baby only. Due to time limitations, it is not possible to add parent/sibling/family photos to this session. The Keepsake Collection allows for the addition of parent/sibling/family images for an additional fee. My all-inclusive Heirloom Collection automatically comes with parent/sibling/family images. If you have questions about any of my packages after reviewing them, please reach out to me.
Can I bring my own newborn outfits and props for my session?
I am full service photography studio. I have an extensive collection of newborn-safe props, fabrics, and accessories. For this reason, outside props are not permitted. I do allow the option of bringing one heirloom item to incorporate into your session. This should be an item with family significance or special meaning. I will do my best to incorporate your heirloom item into the session provided there is no safety risk to the baby. I kindly ask that you refrain from brining your own newborn outfits or wraps. Many outfits are often not properly sized for newborns and outfits with writing on them may not be easily read in a photograph. Those items are best reserved for your personal photos at home.
I have a really great idea that I found on Pinterest. Can you recreate it for my session?
Pinterest can be a fun place to find inspiration for all kinds of things. I can't be the only one who has an entire board dedicated to house projects for my husband 🤣. In my experience, there are many questionable poses on Pinterest that are often done by amateur photographers without specific newborn posing training. I've been asked to pose babies in glass containers of jelly beans or inside of a cowboy boot. Are there ways to do this safely? Absolutely...many of these images must be done as composite images. A baby should never be in a glass prop or in an item that doesn't provide support. The reality is that some Pinterest images don't showcase proper and safe posing. It is for this reason that I will not recreate a pose or copy someone else's work. I encourage all of my clients to reference MY past work when thinking about the poses and styling they'd like for their session.
Do you offer payment plans or discounts for newborn sessions?
There is no denying that newborn photography is an investment. Every budget is different and each family has different priorities when it comes to professional photos. I am happy to work with you to assess your budget and vision for your photos. I offer a few options for payments. One reason for early booking is the option of monthly payments or a payment plan. All photo sessions must be paid in full before they are photographed. Payment plans allow for you to pay smaller amounts in the months leading up to your due date. I also offer customized gift registries. This is a great way to allow family and friends to gift towards your session and any professional products that you might want to include. You can read more about how gift registries work by clicking this link or by reaching out to me at [email protected].
April Cunningham Photography is a proud supporter of military and first responders. If you or your partner is active or retired military, or a first-responder, please let me know at the time of booking. Promotional pricing is available with proof of service.
April Cunningham Photography is a proud supporter of military and first responders. If you or your partner is active or retired military, or a first-responder, please let me know at the time of booking. Promotional pricing is available with proof of service.