TTMA newborn photography

[GOmamab15]

Did you get professional newborn pics? How much did it cost? Would you recommend it? How old was LO when you did it? Have you ever seen DIY newborn pics turn out well?

I cant decide. I love photography, but I'm a cheapskate, but it's my first & possibly only baby and they're only a newborn for a few weeks...

[txmommy14]

Yes!! Did it both times and so glad I did. It was $250 and I got 140 images. We did them in my house and she was 10 days old.

[txmommy14]

Same thing with my son was $150.

[mladerri]

Yes, 1 week old. I did them for ds1 also (we also did 6 month, 1 year and 2 years). Mine were $500 and includes every picture -- with ds they were $125 for the session then you paid per picture. I love our photographer but her prices have slowly risen since we started with ds. This might be the last time we use her. I'm not a good photographer so I don't think I'd personally do a good job but I'm sure you'd be able to take some of your own and you'd at least capture the newborn memory.

[bighair12]

We paid almost 400 each time. We get all the pictures on a drive and can print them. We had to repeat our newborns this time and she was close to 3 weeks. We got a few pics with her sister and. Some family ones as wellz

[nymama917]

We did it with our first and loved it so much that we are doing it again. This time DD2 will be 11 days old and DD1 was about the same. The photographer comes to our apartment and spends a few hours. We are guaranteed 30 pics but got way more than that with DD1. Since we are in NYC it's way over priced but we do it snyway.

[babyzebra]

We did DIY newborn pictures with DS. A friend of mine took the pictures and her and I did all the set up and posing. Another friend edited them for us. They turned out pretty well, but DIY newborn pictures are a lot of work.

We decided to get them done professionally this time. Our photographer will either take them in your house or in her home studio (what we're going to do). We're getting pictures of just her plus ones with her and DS and then of our whole family. It's costing $450. I think we're going to do them some time around 10 days old or so. It's a lot of money, but I think it'll be worth it.

[babyzebra]

Also a few more things to consider- if you're going to do DIY newborn pictures, there are like a billion websites out there (I would start with Pinterest) that will give all kinds of tips and ideas. I would recommend planning as much out ahead of time in terms of poses and props to be as efficient as you can be when you're actually taking the pictures. You will need help from at least one other person, but probably 2.

Something to consider for professional photographers- a lot of them book up pretty quickly so you may have to call around a bit. Another good option that I think will be a little less expensive is bringing your LO to a photography place in the mall. I know several people who have had really good experiences in that setting. I've been in one when they were doing a newborn session and it looked really nice.

[manybellsdown]

We went to the photographer's studio with DD--she had an awesome setup. DD was 9 days old. Most recommendations I've seen name 7-14 days as the ideal window, I believe. We paid more than most here because Chicago, but it was worth it. I found one that would give me the rights so I could print on my own.

This time, we're having someone come to our house, because I want sibling and family photos as well. He'll be 9 days, too. Currently wondering what in the world we'll all wear?

I personally love photography, own a relatively nice DSLR and some lighting equipment, and have taken multiple classes...but DIY newborn seems stressful and impossible.

[bgkc4]

Mine were taken when she was 12 days old (recommendation was within 10 days, but a 4 day stay in the NICU and a holiday weekend made it difficult to do). It cost $400 but I found some as inexpensive as $250 in my area. I also found some significantly more expensive. It was worth it for me.

[greysonsmom]

We had professional newborn photos taken of both kids. DS was six days old and DD was nine days old. I love pictures and it was important to me, it's also the only time we get a nice family photo. I have a nice camera and I could have tried but they would not have turned out as nice.

With DS almost two years ago we paid $600 and got a CD with about 30 images. When I contacted her about DD she said her prices increased a bit, she wanted to change $1200! I was shocked and said nope no way are we paying that much. We found a new photographer with DD and I was very happy with her! I think we will end up paying about $500 depending on how many pictures we choose, I want them all. She just sent us a sneak peak and I'm in love.

[cattuccino]

We had them done for both. I didn't do professional maternity photos because I wanted newborn instead. Our plan for DS fell through because our photographer had a family emergency and I ended up paying way more than I wanted to because it was last minute, but knew I'd regret not having newborn photos for both.

DD was 11 days and DS was 2 weeks.

We paid 450 for DS, and I think DD's was around 400 2 years ago. We got more photos with DD's though.

Here's 2 of my favourites from DD's



And here's some from DS's



(PDQ photos)

[Kevinmac]

I have a session scheduled for 7/7. It will be about $550, but that includes rights to all pictures. The photographer only likes to do newborn shoots until the baby is maximum two weeks. She says after that they don't sleep as soundly or deep and can't move them around without waking them up as easily. If I don't deliver until then she keeps spots open throughout the week that I will be able to squeeze into.

[sandandsea]

We DIY with DS1 and will DIy again. We have a really nice camera, DH is a great photographer, and I found pics I liked on Pinterest to emulate. They turned out really well last time and I'm hoping for the same this time.

[frecklesnbrains]

I didn't do them and I'm regretting it big time! I had thought about it but then DS arrived early and I was too distracted to organize things after he was born. So we just have to live with my iPhone snapshots (which aren't that bad). DH has a fancy DSLR but he doesn't take it out as often as I wish he would.

[vivela]

My sister and I did it using Pinterest as a guide. I'm very happy with how they turned out. We ended up doing them on the later side to let DS get a little less yellow after his jaundice.
I think it depends on what kind of photos you like. Mine have more of a candid vibe, less like potraits. I'm fine with them not being as polished as a pro would have made them.

[titania]

We had them done by a friend who is a photographer. She doesn't really do newborn photos so they were mainly just family portraits, but that is what we wanted. She was about a week old and I'm so glad we did it! She got great shots of us that I couldn't have done myself.

[GOmamab15]

Thanks for all the input! They're much more expensive in my area but I think it'd probably be worth it. WE'll see if I get my act together in time.

[happyday]

I did it with both kids. It was between $500-$600. Expensive, but worth it for us. I can't wait to get dd2 back.

Keep in mind they need to done in the first 2-2.5 weeks so they're still sleepy newborns.