Style
First of all take a look at the photographers website / portfolio; Newborn Photography is an art and every photographer has their own unique style, see which style gets your attention, which photographer will be the best fit for you.
Experience
Check how long the photographer has been in business, if the business is legit and registered, and how long this photographer has been photographing newborns and if she/he has taken any classes in newborn photography, this is a very delicate niche of photography and the photographer must know how to handle and pose the baby with care and safety. It takes time and practice for a newborn photographer to tune their skills and become to experts in customizing each session to fit each baby.
Safety
Safety is definitely the most important thing in newborn photography, it is after all your baby we are talking about and newborns are tiny and delicate and certainly not a prop, so make sure your photographer knows how to achieve the poses with maximum of security.
When should I book
The first thing I would say don’t wait until the baby is born to book your session. Some photographers have a busy schedule and take a limited amount of sessions per week, so planning ahead is the best thing to do. Also to get the best experience your baby should be photographed within his first 15 days of life, when they are still without a sleeping schedule and his body is flexible and can easily be “molded” in those curled positions. Also after 2 weeks old, babies can develop baby acne.
Price
Price is an important factor to consider, especially nowadays with the economy. But be careful not to choose your newborn photographer based solely on the lowest price, otherwise you might end up hiring someone that doesn’t have experience with newborns or doesn’t fill your expectations and you might regret that.
Other Safety Posts:
Cris Passos Photography – Newborn Safety
National Association of Professional Child Photographers