In an every-growing photography industry, it is difficult to navigate the thousands of options for a newborn photographer that might pop up on google.  As a photographer and mama to a recent a newborn (she is now 2), I was literally in same situation as you, looking for the right newborn photographer for me.  With all the options and styles out there it can be a little much.  So, I created a quick definition of the styles of the different types of baby photography.

What style of newborn photography do you want for your baby? 

There are three main newborn photography styles that can be defined in most newborn photographers’ work. 

1.        Posed Newborn Photography  - this type of newborn photographer usually has a pose guide and typical workflow for the newborn sessions they offer.   What is great about these sessions is that you pretty much know what to expect in terms of what poses you will have of your newborn.  What is not so great about these sessions, is that they are not as personalized as other styles of newborn photography. 
2.        Lifestyle Newborn Photography –These sessions usually will have some posing that is suggested, but will not contain baby on a beanbag and propped in different ways like a posed newborn session would.   Typically, these take place in a client’s home, but some photographers do decorate a studio to make it look like a home, instead of having the traditional backdrops up.   These sessions focus on capturing the real little moments of your little one and the entire family.  Lifestyle newborn sessions deliver a natural looking session, but most photographers still pay attention to the details and help make sure you look your best before snapping the photo.  For these sessions do not expect your photographer to have little newborn outfits and bonnets that you would expect in a posed session.
3.      Documentary Newborn Photography – I would say that newborn session’s images captured by a documentary photographer would appear to be pictures photographed for someone “looking in” versus someone guiding the session.  Usually, these types of newborn photographers are the ones that will photograph births, if you can imagine what those type of images have looked like.  Very real and very raw.  Although, not all documentary newborn sessions are in the hospital, it just gives you a good visual of what your end images would look like in terms of style.  While a photographer may suggest you do an activity, they will usually sit back and photograph the realness of the activity versus worrying about fixing your hair and ruining the moment they are trying to capture.

 In my personal search for a newborn photographer, I found that many newborn photographers focus on one type of newborn photography or another.  

While I loved the idea of having my newborn in some of little newborn poses, I knew I did not want to have the same exact session as other friends that may have been to the same photographer.  I certainly thought that my newborn was deserving of something unique to her and her quickly developing little self.   I also loved the idea of lifestyle photography for my husband, newborn, and me, but I did want to make sure that we captured my newborn swaddled up and wearing a cutesy headband or two.  I found that a newborn photographer that offered both in one session did not exist in my area!    As a photographer of 12 years, I did not notice the missing experience until I became a mom myself.  Needless to say, I never was able to find the right newborn photographer to fit my vision and I am still sad about it! 

HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE THINKING THE SAME THING I DID: YOU CAN!

       For those of you that live in Chicago and throughout Chicago’s surrounding suburbs, you do have an option to get this hybrid newborn posed/lifestyle session, from this little lady right here.  I offer a unique, in-home, newborn photography experience.  So, if you like the idea of having some bonnets, headbands, and fuzzy newborn outfits for your baby AND more relaxed, less posed, and natural images of your family all together, send me an email or an inquiry through my website and I would love to get a chance to WOW you!

       If you are not in Chicagoland, you are at least now equipped with some terms that photographers use to define their newborn photography styles.  I hope this information helps you make a more informed decision.