Newborn photography can be one of the most gratifying photography niches But it can also be one of the most complicated in terms of pricing! There is a lot more to newborn photography than just buying a camera and snapping a few photos. Make sure you have all the information you need on newborn photography pricing so you can set a competitive but reasonable rate by using our pro tips.
Factor in the cost of specialized equipment and education
With most photography, a “safe” experience probably isn’t going to be a key term you use to bring in clients but with newborn photography, safety is key! Newborns are fragile so having the correct equipment to keep them warm, comfortable, full, and happy is crucial.
When you are thinking about newborn photography pricing, keep in mind the amount of money you have to spend on overhead costs, like speciality equipment and education, and factor that into your pricing. Here are a few things you may want to consider buying and factoring into your costs that are specific to newborn photography:
White noise machine/app
Babies aren’t used to total silence. In the womb, they could hear the world around them and now they are out in the world, silence can be scary. A white noise machine or app on your phone can help the baby relax and sleep
Soft lighting
Hopefully, you have space in mind for the shoot with ample natural lighting but if not, remember that babies have sensitive little eyes. Bring soft boxes and diffusers to the shoot to provide soft light during your session.
Props
Styling pillows, blankets, bean bags, baskets and more! Even if parents plan on bringing props, it’s good to have your own set of props for a shoot, especially props like beanbags, because the parents likely aren’t going to have photography specific props like this.
Space heaters and heating pads
Most baby photos are taken without clothes so you can show off those chunky thighs and smooth skin in your photos. But this also means baby might get cold! Mitigate this issue by investing in heating pads and space heaters to keep the newborn warm without turning up the temperature in the whole studio and overheating yourself.
Training
Because safety is such an important part of newborn photography, you may want to get some newborn training under your belt. Having certifications specific to your field will not only help parents feel at ease but it could also be a great selling point! The American Association of Newborn Photography Safety (AANPS) offers in-depth training on posing, handing, prop safety, and more, and is a superb resource.
