When it comes to commissioning a photographer to take portraits of your children, it’s important to do your homework about the investment you are about to make. Your babies birth, his or hers first birthday, milestones between toddlerhood and graduation; these moments deserve more than a point and shoot camera can provide. Parents often ask about what they should expect from their investment, both during and after a portrait session.

Hiring a professional photographer that specializes in children’s photography, is the first important step in ensuring your investment is realized.

Photographers who specialize in children’s portraiture are passionate about their subject matter. While Professionals who specialize in capturing stunning architecture or breathtaking sunsets are great at what they do, a professional children’s photographer is uniquely skilled in capturing children and the relationship children have with the world around them.

Know your photographer’s style.

When looking to commission a professional children’s photographer, find someone whose style resonates with you. Many children’s photographers use natural light, some use studio flash, others will use elaborate sets and costumes. Make sure you spend some time looking at different photographers portfolios and decide what styles best resonate with your taste and your desired look.

Understand the session fee.

Some photography collections include the Session Fee and some do not. If your photographer charges a session fee, you will be paying the session fee at the time of your portrait session and then add products such as prints, canvases or the digital files afterwards; according to your budget. Session fees do not simply include the photographer’s time behind the camera during your session (some sessions can take up to three hours for a newborn) but it is the countless hours spent afterwards, going through the images and editing the best ones. You are commissioning a work of art, and their expertise after the session is just as important as the studio session.

The day of your session:

Relax and have fun. Your photographer, if they are a professional children’s photographer, will have lots of tricks to gently coax your child into getting the images they need. If you are modeling happiness, it is sure to follow. If however, you child is feeling ill the day before your session, please advise your photographer and the session will most likely be re-scheduled.

 The next step in the process.

The session is over and you are now anxiously awaiting your images. Generally a session will be viewable within two weeks. During that time, the photography is going through the images, choosing the ones that best represent your child’s personality and then editing them. It is during this editing process that a high quality image takes the next step and becomes a work of art.

Ordering and making financial decisions.

Whether viewing your images from the comfort of your home via a private online gallery, or in person at the photographer’s studio; the best way to facilitate great decisions on what images you would like to order, is to invest in a baby sitter. You are going to have a lot of choices to consider and your photographer will help guide you through the process. Having a little one underfoot during this time can distract from this process.

So while it is true that commissioning a professional children’s photographer is more of a financial commitment than having a friend with a good camera do it; you are investing in a professional who has invested tens of thousands of dollars in equipment and training so they can capture your child’s fleeting milestones, and create for you, an heirloom work of art.