Thinking About Booking a Newborn Photoshoot? Here’s What Might Be Holding You Back | South Wales Newborn Photographer | Gillard Studios
You know you want beautiful photographs of your baby.
You’ve probably saved a few newborn photographers. Maybe you’ve looked through galleries, followed studios on Instagram and thought, “I really want to do this.”
But then you haven’t actually booked.
Because somewhere between “I really want newborn photographs” and “let’s book”, a whole list of thoughts starts creeping in.
What if my baby isn't here on the date?
What if they cry the whole time?
What if I hate the way I look?
What if my toddler is a nightmare?
Is it really worth the money?
And suddenly, booking a newborn photoshoot feels like something you need to think about a little longer.
So let's talk about those thoughts.
Because chances are, you're not the only person who has had them.
“It’s a lot of money. What if I regret spending it?”
Let's be honest - this is probably one of the biggest reasons people don't book.
You might love the photographs. You might even really want them.
But then you look at the price and think:
“Can we really justify that?”
Because there will always be something else you could spend the money on.
Something the baby needs.
Something for the house.
Something that feels more practical.
And photographs can feel like something you can put off.
Until you start thinking about what you're actually going to lose by putting them off.
Your baby will only be this tiny once.
You'll only have those first few weeks once.
The way they curl into your chest. Their tiny hands wrapped around your finger. The way they fit into your arms before they suddenly don't anymore.
You can take hundreds of photographs on your phone - and you absolutely should.
But how many of those photographs will actually have you in them?
How many will you still want to look at in 10 years?
And how many will ever make it off your phone?
That's where professional photography is different.
You're not really deciding whether you want to spend money on some photographs.
You're deciding whether these are memories you want to deliberately preserve.
And perhaps the bigger question isn't:
“Can we afford to have newborn photographs?”
It's:
“If we don't do it, will I wish we had?”
We can't tell you what the right decision is for your family.
But we can tell you that the newborn stage doesn't wait.
The tiny baby you're holding today becomes the toddler you're chasing around the studio before you know it.
And one day, those photographs won't just be something you bought.
They'll be the way you remember them being this small.
“What if I book and my baby isn't even here on that date?”
This one comes up all the time.
Because obviously, your baby hasn't read the pregnancy books and doesn't care about your due date.
They might arrive two weeks early.
They might decide to stay put for another ten days.
So how on earth are you supposed to book a newborn photoshoot?
The answer is: you don't need to know exactly when your baby is coming.
When you pre-book, you're securing a space in our diary around your due date.
Once baby arrives, you let us know and we'll arrange your actual session date around their arrival.
In other words, you don't have to predict the future.
You just need to make sure there is a space waiting for you when your baby arrives.
And that's exactly why we recommend booking before your baby is born.
“What if my baby doesn't cooperate?”
Here's something you need to know about newborn photography:
Your baby doesn't have to perform.
They're a newborn.
They have one job.
Eat. Sleep. Poop. Repeat.
We follow your baby's cues rather than expecting them to fit around a schedule.
So if they need feeding, we feed them.
If they need cuddling, we cuddle them.
If they need a break, we take a break.
You haven't got a difficult baby because they don't sleep through a photography session.
You've got a newborn.
“What if my baby cries the whole time?”
Honestly?
They might cry.
And that's okay.
Newborn sessions aren't silent rooms where everyone sits nervously waiting for the baby to behave.
Babies make noises. They wriggle. They pull faces. They need feeding. They sometimes have a spectacular meltdown over absolutely nothing.
We've photographed enough newborns to know that this is completely normal.
And more importantly, you don't need to feel embarrassed by it.
We're not judging your baby.
We're not watching the clock thinking they're ruining the session.
We'll simply work out what they need and go from there.
The aim isn't to force your baby into being calm.
It's to create a calm environment around them.
“I don't feel comfortable being photographed.”
This is a big one.
And if that's you, you're definitely not alone.
You might be thinking:
“I don't look like I did before pregnancy.”
“I haven't got any makeup on.”
“I've still got the baby weight.”
“I don't know what to do with myself in photographs.”
And perhaps the easiest solution feels like:
“I'll just have photographs of the baby.”
But here's the thing.
One day, they're going to want to see you.
Not the version of you who had perfect hair, perfect makeup and felt completely confident.
You.
The person who held them.
The person they slept on.
The person whose arms were their whole world.
You don't have to feel confident in front of the camera before you book.
You just need to trust the person behind it.
“I hate having my photograph taken. I'll look awkward.”
You don't need to know how to pose.
That's our job.
You don't need to suddenly become a model.
And you definitely don't need to stand there wondering what on earth you're supposed to do with your hands.
We'll guide you.
Because a photograph that feels natural isn't about knowing exactly how to pose.
It's about feeling comfortable enough to forget you're being photographed.
“My partner doesn't really want to do it.”
This is another common one.
One person is excited about newborn photographs.
The other says:
“Do we really need to?”
Usually, it's not because they don't love the idea of having photographs of their baby.
They just don't particularly love the idea of being in them.
But remember what your child will see when they look back at these photographs.
They won't be thinking about whether Dad felt awkward having his photograph taken.
They'll see their family.
They'll see the people who were there when they were tiny.
And honestly, those photographs become more meaningful with time.
“My toddler is going to completely ruin it.”
If you've got an older child, you might already be imagining it.
Your toddler refuses to sit down.
Runs away.
Cries.
Steals the props.
Decides they suddenly hate their new baby.
And you're thinking:
“What's the point?”
But toddlers are toddlers.
We're not expecting them to sit perfectly still and smile for twenty minutes.
And your photographs don't need to look like everyone sat perfectly posed either.
Some of the best sibling photographs come from the little interactions that happen naturally.
The cuddle that wasn't planned.
The curious little face looking at their new sibling.
The tiny hand touching baby's head.
And yes, probably a little bit of chaos too.
That's real life.
And that's your family.
“I don't know what we're supposed to wear.”
You don't need to turn up with a suitcase full of outfits.
And you don't need to suddenly become a family of perfectly coordinated beige people.
What matters most is that you feel like yourselves.
We can guide you on what works well photographically, but you don't need to have everything figured out before you enquire.
You don't need the perfect outfit.
You need to turn up.
We'll take care of the rest.
“I'm worried about trusting someone with my newborn.”
This is probably the one concern you should take seriously.
Your newborn can't tell you if they're uncomfortable.
They can't tell you if someone doesn't know what they're doing.
So choosing a newborn photographer isn't just about liking their photographs.
You should be looking at their experience, training, approach to safety and the way they handle babies.
You should feel comfortable asking questions.
You should feel confident that your baby will never be rushed or put into a position simply to get a photograph.
And you should trust the person you're handing your tiny new baby to.
Because beautiful photographs aren't worth compromising your baby's safety.
“What if the whole thing is really stressful?”
You've just had a baby.
You're tired.
You're probably surviving on broken sleep.
The last thing you need is another thing to organise that leaves you feeling stressed.
That's why the experience matters just as much as the photographs.
You shouldn't have to arrive knowing exactly what you're doing.
You shouldn't have to manage the baby and the photography.
And you shouldn't leave feeling like you've spent the day trying to make everything perfect.
Your job is to bring your baby.
Our job is to look after the rest.
“I'll just wait until the baby is here.”
This sounds sensible.
Until baby arrives.
Then suddenly you're exhausted, feeding around the clock, surrounded by washing and wondering what day it is.
And that little window when they're brand new?
It doesn't wait for you to catch up.
If newborn photographs are something you know you'll want, booking before baby arrives means you don't have to think about it once you're home.
Your space is already secured - just send us a message when they arrive and we'll get your appointment scheduled.
“I need to think about it.”
Of course you do.
It's your baby.
It's your money.
And it should be a considered decision.
But if you've been thinking about it for weeks, saving photographs, looking at photographers and telling yourself you'll book soon...
Maybe the thing you're waiting for isn't more information.
Maybe you're waiting until you feel completely certain.
And with a newborn, you probably never will.
There will always be another expense.
Another thing to organise.
Another reason to put it off.
But there will never be another first few weeks with this baby.
So, what if you really do want the photographs?
Then the next step doesn't have to be a huge commitment.
Our Signature Newborn Experience is currently available for a £49 deposit, which secures your space and you'll receive £100 studio credit to use towards your chosen package.
That means you can secure your place before baby arrives without having to know exactly when they're going to make their grand entrance.
And when they do arrive, we'll arrange your session around them.
Because you don't need a perfect baby.
You don't need to feel confident in front of the camera.
You don't need a cooperative toddler.
And you don't need to have everything figured out.
You just need to decide whether these are memories you want to make sure you don't miss.
Ready to secure your newborn space? South Wales Newborn Photographer
Reserve your Signature Newborn Experience for £49 here:
Your baby is only this tiny once.
South Wales Newborn Photographer | Gillard Studios
Comments