Why is Newborn Photography so Expensive?

Why is Newborn Photography so Expensive?

I’m going to address questions that I get asked A LOT: “Why does newborn photography cost so much? And “Why is newborn photography so expensive?”

I’m sure you all have noticed that the price of newborn photography is just as expensive as family portrait sessions. I get so many inquiries that start off with raves about my work and then fall off the planet when I forward my pricing.

A good rule of thumb is: If you are paying under $200 for a newborn session chances are your photographer is either A. inexperienced or B. not running a legal business. I have taught myself lighting, bought a camera, lenses, and fully stocked my professional studio with lots of props and accessories for the babies. On top of that, I also pay professional association dues, insurance and don’t forget the business taxes. It is simply not possible to run a profitable business at the end of the day only charging $100 for a portrait session. 

Here are a few things that come into play as to why newborn photography is so expensive:

Please chose someone that you know is experienced to handle your fragile and precious new gift.

 We can plan and pick dates all we want but they show up when they are ready. I cannot designate a day on my calendar for a session until the baby is actually born.

Sessions need to be done within a two week window after birth. This means that there are a limited number of sessions I can book per month. Limiting the number of sessions means upping the cost to make up the difference in my number of clients.

Time: Newborn photography takes time. The average full gallery newborn session can last 2-3 hours or more with multiples. Once the baby arrives at my studio, he or she will need to be fed and then soothed to sleep.

From there we move to posing, soothing, positioning, changing backdrops, changing outfits, stuffing props, cleaning messes, stopping for cuddle time, and possibly another feeding. Those of you who have seen me work know it takes a lot of patience to get every finger and toe settled into the perfect place and position. It took many hours to learn how to manipulate your little ones in a way that does not disturb them.

I pay for editing software, presets, and I pay myself for my time. The amount of time spent editing is more time consuming compared to most other sessions.

We all have this ideal picture in our head of newborns with creamy smooth skin when the reality is just the opposite. Newborn skin can be red, yellow, purple, blotchy, acne covered, or all of the above. They come with peeling skin, stork bites, hairy bodies, Mongolian spots, and gunky eyes.  

Many hours of work go into creating the creamy and beautiful finished product that you receive.

I spend around $25 per headband, $25 per hat, and $30 and up per diaper cover or tutu on the LOW end. That is for ONE item. Custom designs are even more expensive.

It is not uncommon to pay $40 shipping costs on something as simple as bowls. Newborn poop can stain and occasionally things cannot be hand washed and have to get thrown away and replaced. I also wash in between every single baby for sanitary reasons so things tend get worn out quickly.

Lastly, I ask you to remember that while this is a passion of mine, it is not just a hobby. It is a business. I pay taxes, rent, insurance, and have to buy groceries just like everyone else. These days, it seems like anyone and everyone calls themselves a photographer.  

However, it really takes time, money, and passion to get to know your craft and give your clients quality and professionalism. I urge all of you to consider these things next time you’re pricing photographers in your area and thinking newborn photography is so expensive. We make room in our budgets for so many extras; trips to the movies, dining out, the latest cell phones, etc.

The cost of documenting your memories should be priceless. 

We encourage you to view our online portfolio and to learn more about our sessions and artwork. Belly to Baby Studios is a full service studio, conveniently located in the Galleria area in a commercial office building. Our studio has a private nursing lounge so you can relax and feed your baby between sets.

Houston newborn and family portrait photographers can be reached at 713-461-2862 to discuss your session and help you create art for your home and family to enjoy for years to come.

Belly to Baby Studios offers newborn baby photography in Houston, TX. A newborn’s first photography session is recommended to be scheduled within 7-12 days of birth. We recommend calling and having a consult before your session so you can prepare in advance.

We always have an assistant on set to help with baby safety, and posing. We want to make sure your baby is relaxed and in good hands during the session. We do have a variety of props such as wraps, backdrops, baskets, pants, diaper covers, tutus, hats and hair accessories in a variety of soothing colors.

We strive to create artwork for your home that can be hung in a nursery or hallway. Newborns stay this small for a short window of time. So many parents come back to us at 3 months and 6 months to document the growth of their baby. It is very important to capture this time in a baby’s life since they grow so fast.

Clothing choice is a key ingredient to making sure your portrait stays timeless. We recommend solid colored clothing, and long sleeves so the focus is more on your relationship versus your clothing. All of our printed portraits include retouching so you can guarantee you will look like you have had ten hours of sleep. We will be happy to discuss all the details during your portrait phone consultation.

Our studio is located in a professional office building, and is equipped with a private nursing and relaxation room that is available during your baby’s session. We also have a full prop closet for your newborn portrait session, which includes over 15 wraps, 10 baskets, 20 different backgrounds, diaper covers, hats and pants for your little boy.

You can view more of our newborn portfolio here and our Family Portraits here . Our studio is conveniently located in the Galleria area. Call us at 713-461-2862 and we can schedule and discuss your portrait session.

Family Photography with Newborn

Family Photographer with Newborn

Lisa Carr, with Belly to Baby Studios, is a newborn photographer specializing in Family Photography with Newborn in Houston. She photographed this baby girl when she was 1 month old. It is recommended that you photographed newborns between 7-12 days old. If you are a new Mom, or have never had your newborn photographed professionally you may be wondering why. This time frame is recommended so that your baby will sleep a bit more and so that they are still flexible since their bones and muscles have not fully developed.

  Baby Photography

Babies that are older than this will typically stretch out more and reach out more with their hands during their sessions, and also may not want to be scrunched up or swaddled. We always receive calls after a baby has been born, and Moms are panicked because they did not pre-schedule their baby’s newborn session weeks in advance. Normally leave room in our calendars for these last minute sessions.

Our  studio believes that it is very important to have your newborn’s photographed even if they are older than the recommended time frame of 7-12 days old. Older babies will need to be handled differently and accommodations made for extra feedings during the session. We allow extra time to capture awake babies during the newborn session.

We love to capture Family Portraits during the newborn session.

About Belly to Baby Studios

Lisa Carr, of Belly to Baby Studios, is a Houston based full time newborn and family photographer. Our studio photographs maternity portraits, newborn portraits, baby portraits and family portraits. We help you and guide you all the way from Portrait session concept to Portrait completion.

At Belly to Baby Studios, we love to create finished artwork for our client’s home. The artwork will appreciate over time and provide years of joy. When you view our Portraits and albums, they will take you back to a moment in time that in the end will slip by so quickly.