As a newborn photographer in Spokane, I know choosing the right newborn photographer can seem like an overwhelming endeavor, on top of the already-long list of things to do to prepare to welcome a tiny human into the world and into your family. This is a priceless moment that is lived only once, and images can’t be redone, which is why choosing the newborn photographer that is right for you is such a necessity. Photographers in Spokane are all vastly different, and I know how overwhelming it is to think about narrowing them all down and making sure you choose the right fit.

When it comes to your irreplaceable, invaluable memories, like welcoming your new baby home for the first time, you NEED to find the right photographer for you! You do not want to take a chance on a family friend or inexperienced photographer to document these priceless moments for your family.

Use this as a guide to consider various factors when selecting the Spokane newborn photographer you will trust with your memories.

The Client Experience

When you’re in the hospital after meeting the newest addition to your family and getting ready to bring them home for the first time, the last thing you want to feel is dread and stress. Thinking about what to wear to your newborn session, how you’re going to get the rest of the family dressed and ready, how you’re going to manage to clean your home before the photographer arrives, and how in the world you’re going to do all of this with little to no sleep! Your session arrives and you somehow manage to get everything together and the session done, and your photographer sends you a link to your online gallery of images to enjoy. The stress returns as you reach out to custom framers and album binders, guessing at sizes and crossing your fingers hoping it all comes together. Or, maybe the images stay in your hard drive, to be looked at for a week before collecting digital dust until your photographer emails you months later to tell you your gallery is about to expire. You have all the best intentions to print and enjoy your photos, but between trying to keep a baby alive and well, and barely caring for yourself in the process, the thought of doing the countless hours of research, design, and ordering is just too much.

I see you and I hear you, mama!

But imagine this…

You commission your photographer and receive a beautiful welcome box with luxurious gifts and a portrait guide to walk you through the experience. You visit the studio for a wardrobe and session planning meeting where you choose from a wide selection of dresses curated by your photographer – elegant, neutral, and soft textures that create timeless, luxury images. WIth the help of your photographer, you select a beautiful dress that is flattering and natural, then select some clothes for your children and even your husband all from your photographer’s wardrobe. No endless online shopping and inevitable returns, or showing up to your session in colors that you find out don’t photograph well. At this meeting you and your photographer discuss session details and you decide between an in-home or studio newborn session, the best time of day for lighting, and even plan out the album of your dreams and wall gallery to enjoy in your living room!

Your baby is born and you can relax knowing that all session details have been taken care of and your photographer will have all your outfits steamed and ready to go. You enjoy time with your newborn baby as your photographer helps dress your children. You are posed in the most flattering and natural way, that feels authentic, loving, and joyful. 

After your session, you meet with your photographer for the big reveal, and you get to enjoy seeing your family’s love all over again! She helps you choose your favorites and shows you gallery walls and album designs that you have been dreaming up together. You select your artwork designs and choose between the luxurious linen album covers and gorgeous debossing options, and select a solid wood frame that brings all your interior design together! All the designs are mocked up to scale, so you don’t have to get your measuring tape out or guess at sizing for your wall. It’s polished to perfection, without lifting a finger or putting your newborn down.

Your artwork is up on the wall and on the coffee table to enjoy daily, and as your kids grow older they enjoy flipping through the album with their cute little fingers. It was SO worth the investment.

When you commission Taylor White Photography for your newborn photo experience, we do it all so you don’t have to. We know these moments with your tiny newborn are fleeting and fast, and we take this role seriously because we know how precious these moments are. We know you’ll want an expert who will be your guide from start to finish and worry about all the details for you (wardrobe, session planning, studio location, lighting, framing, album design, gallery wall design, etc.). Mama, we got you! Learn more about our client experience to see if we would be a fit for your family.

Photography Style: posed vs. lifestyle

Posed: This style of newborn photography typically uses props, heavy wrapping, and various poses. It involves a sleeping baby usually within a week from birth and moved into various different positions. This is not our personal photography style, as these are often not natural positions they would naturally sleep in. If you decide to utilize a photographer that specializes in posed newborn sessions, it’s important to make sure they are trained in newborn safety, as many of the poses can be very dangerous for newborn babies if the proper safety precautions are not in place.

Lifestyle: This style of newborn photography is baby led and will create beautiful images of your baby sleeping in a moses basket or bed, being held by mom, dad, and siblings, and sweet details to remember how tiny they are. The goal of these sessions are to give justice to your priceless memories, so when you look at them in years to come, you remember the sweet little details of your newborn in a way that feels authentic and timeless, and you see the emotion in every image that brings your memories back to life.

Editing Style

Photographers vary in editing stye, and it’s important to choose one that feels right to you. A few main categories of editing styles include: light & airy, filmy, true to color, moody, contrasted, and colorful.  You want to choose a style that feels right when you revisit your family’s memories in years to come. Here at TWP, we value timeless over trendy, meaning we create images that look the way your memories feel, staying true to color with a bright and clean aesthetic. There are many fun and pretty trends that come and go, yet your memories are forever.

A Photographer Through the Years

Finding a photographer who takes nice pictures is great, and probably not hard to find. The question you should ask yourself is: as your family continues to grow, and your children reach important milestones, do you want to be able to use the same photographer so your images in your home feel cohesive? If the answer is yes, you want to find a photographer who wants to serve your family through the years, and is in business for the long haul!

I want to assure my clients that my business is set up to be sustainable long term. When it comes to finding a photographer to work with your family time and time again, you truly get what you pay for. You may need to make room in your budget for sessions each year and cut out a few starbucks trips, or even request a payment plan to space out investment over the course of a few months, but you will never regret investing in having your memories printed for you professionally or having all the details taken off your plate. This is one of the few investments that will ALWAYS become more valuable with time. 

As a full service photographer in Spokane, Washington, I am with you from start to finish, and we often form a relationship that goes far beyond photos! It brings me so much joy to watch your kids grow older and reach special milestones, and I love to connect throughout the years. 

How soon to book your session with your photographer in Spokane

Most of our clients inquire near the end of their first trimester to book their newborn session. Because of this, our schedule books out far in advance. Families reach out early in the year to schedule their spring, summer, and fall sessions. If you’re expecting, reach out now to see if we’re a good fit!

If you’re an expecting momma who doesn’t want to worry about all the little details of having photos created and designed, we would love to discuss your family’s needs with you to see if we would be a good fit! For more information about our full service, stress-free portrait experience, fill out these few questions and let’s chat!

View more tips and featured newborn sessions:

Why You Should Invest in a Baby Plan Membership

Coeur d’Alene Newborn Photographer | David Dahl

Spokane Newborn Photographer | Sofi