How to choose the right photographer, location and timing for a stress-free baby/ family photography session
From one parent to another, let’s be real: tiny humans change quickly. Whether you are expecting your first baby, wondering how your tiny newborn has suddenly changed into a curious toddler, or watching your children’s ever-growing personalities develop right before your eyes, it’s suffice to say the moments are fleeting.
And fleeting moments are worth documenting- so they can be treasured and shared forever. These are the moments you will look back on and smile. The moments you will one day remember fondly as your favourite “stages”. The moments that you will want to relive, and share with your tiny humans when they are not so tiny anymore.
Traditional studio photo sessions aren’t for everyone
The problem is, the idea of a traditional photo session- getting everyone dressed up in matching outfits, heading into a boring white studio and being forced to smile awkwardly at the camera while attempting to wrangle headstrong toddlers or active six year olds- doesn’t exactly sound like an enticing way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
And if you’re in the “newborn” phase, spending two hours trying to cram everything you might need into the car, with an unpredictable baby you are still getting to know and while severely sleep deprived and still recovering from giving birth to a human being? That probably doesn’t sound so fun either.
I get it. As mum to two young children, one of whom has complex needs (she is non verbal and mobility impaired) and the other who is proudly headstrong (and has triple the energy I do), it’s not the kind of experience I feel will yield happy family photos.
And that is why I have spent over a decade creating a very unique approach to photographing babies and families- with a focus on creating a relaxed, fun and comfortable experience that feels more like a play date than a photoshoot. Natural baby and family photography that is built around capturing candid moments, real interactions and true personalities. No awkward posing here! This documentary style of natural baby & family photography is becoming increasingly popular- here’s everything you need to know about planning a stress free session for your family.
How to choose the right photographer for your natural baby & family photo session
First of all, you need to love their work- and feel like you see your family represented in it. Sounds like a given, but if you are looking at formal, posed photos of people sitting perfectly still, in pristine white outfits and that’s not really your jam? You’re not going to enjoy a photoshoot like that- and you aren’t going to be proud to display those photos either. You can appreciate someone’s work, but also know it isn’t for you. Make sure you can see yourself in the photos.
Next, you need to look at what those photos portray. If you are looking for a relaxed, candid experience you might google “relaxed, candid family photographer in Glasgow.” And what you might find is that *some* of the photographers that pop up in that search don’t actually fit that description at all. In fact, although they are calling themselves those things, all of the photos they show on their website are very posed and traditional. Why is that? They may be paying attention to what people are searching for, and even though their style doesn’t fit that description they know people will searching those keywords. Sneaky right?! Good thing you’re smart enough to see the difference. Long story short- make sure that their work matches their description- whatever style you’re looking for.
Finally, look at their reviews. What are clients saying about working with them? That’s your best indication of what the experience will actually be like. Anyone can say their superpower is helping people feel relaxed in front of the camera. Or helping shy children open up. Do they have any evidence to back it up?
On that note- there will be a lot of people popping terms like “inclusive family photographer” or “disability friendly” on their profiles and website. Make sure they are showing that to be true! They should have representation in their work if they are making those claims- though it is possible they have yet to have the chance to work with people in these marginalized communities. There will be other evidence if the latter is true- maybe they’ve done additional training to work with children with additional needs. Maybe they are the parent of a disabled child themselves and are used to those additional challenges (like me!). Maybe they don’t have a lot of LGBTQ+ families in their portfolio, but they ask for pronouns in their contact form. If they are inclusive they should show it in some way. Make sure they practice what they preach.
How to choose the right location for your newborn/ baby photo session
The best location for baby photos is a place you feel comfortable, relaxed and like you can just be yourselves. And most of the time- that place is your home.
Yes, it’s “imperfect.” Messy, cluttered, in some state of renovations or DIY decorating? I can so relate. (We bought our fixer upper- that’s putting it nicely- a solid 2.5 years ago and we are still in that phase). But it is YOUR home. Your baby’s first home. It is the place they will have so many of their “firsts”, making beautiful new memories that you’ll always treasure. And the thing is, it won’t always look the way it does now. You might not even live there forever. How very special to have photos to show your baby one day- when they are much, much bigger- of what those first days were like as a family.
If there are parts of your house you’d rather not show in the photos, that’s okay! A bonus of working with an experienced photographer is they will work around any mess/clutter/chaos, finding the best light and angles and details to show off your beautiful home alongside your beautiful family.
The beauty of in home newborn photography is that it captures this very special, fleeting, short time in your life in all of it’s real, honest, imperfect glory. Having done this myself twice as a client/mum, in two different flats, neither in any way perfect or “finished” I can attest that you won’t be focusing on the “flaws” of your home when you look back on the photos. You’ll just be smiling at the happy memories.
How to choose the right location for your family photography session
The same applies for family photos- in home family photography sessions are wonderful for children of any age! This can expand out into the garden if you have one, or even around the corner to a favourite play park or trail. Doorsteps are another lovely spot for family photos, made famous during Covid times, but is a nice addition to show off your home from the outside too.
If an in home family session isn’t your thing, think about another location where everyone feels like they can just be themselves. Often this is a favourite park where you spend your weekends, or perhaps a beach or a trail that holds fond memories for you as a family. Maybe you love a certain cafe or ice cream shop, or like to wander around a historic site or museum. These are all great options- and if they mean something to you at this moment in time that’s an added bonus.
The most important thing here is that there is space for everyone to feel comfortable. If your children hate sitting still, choose a spot where they can run free. If your child has sensory needs, choose a location that won’t be too stimulating- or a time of day that will be quieter. If you have a child with mobility impairments, think about accessibility- you don’t want to add any stress or additional challenges to access your photo location. The key to getting great family photos is making sure everyone has a great time- and location plays a big part in that.
How to choose the right timing for your baby/family photo session
Parents often ask what is the best time for newborn photos? The answer is: the time when you feel ready. Bringing a new baby home is a big change- and it takes time to adjust. Sometimes recovery takes longer than anticipated. Sometimes baby needs a little more time to settle. With a traditional studio photo session, there are strict timelines around when to come in. With an in home newborn photography session things are much more relaxed. If you want to capture that teeny tiny newborn stage, you will want to aim for the first four weeks of your baby arriving. They are still very much at that new stage for another four weeks at least though, longer if they were premature- so really anytime before eight weeks is ideal.
Baby photos can be taken anytime in the first year of your baby’s life. Popular times would be around three months old, when they become much more aware and curious or at six-eight months, when they are able to sit unassisted and become very expressive.
One year old/first birthday photo sessions are also very popular- and you can look at this as a portrait session for your baby or as a family photoshoot- I like to combine the two for the best of both worlds.
For family sessions, anytime is grand! Some families choose to time photo sessions around their child’s birthday, others like to do annual photos during a particular season. Autumn is the most popular, though I am getting more and more requests for spring photos when the flowers are starting to bloom as well as winter photos around Christmastime. There is no “perfect” time to adhere too- whenever you feel it’s time to update your family photos is the perfect time for you.
Natural baby and family photographer in Glasgow, Scotland
If you’re looking for a relaxed baby and family photographer in Glasgow you’re in the right place! I’m known for my candid, documentary style, relaxed and fun approach and my ability to create a stress free family photography experience for everyone involved (with the reviews to prove it!) Get in touch at hello@rhiannoneale.com (or fill in my contact form here) to check availability or to book your spot today.
Adventurous family photography in Scotland
Live outside Glasgow or looking for an adventurous family photo session in Glencoe, the Scottish Highlands or over in Edinburgh and the East Coast? Fancy some family photos in a castle- or a historic maze? I love a wee road trip and I’m more than happy to meet you anywhere- on or off the beaten track. Drop me a message and we can chat locations: hello@rhiannoneale.com
Looking for some photo inspiration for natural baby & family photography sessions? Here is a small selection of some of the wonderful families I had the pleasure of photographing in 2024:
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