Your guide to my newborn model call sessions

n this blog, I’ll explain what newborn model call sessions are and how the ones I offer work so you have all the information you need to decide if it’s the right thing for you.

What is a model call?

This term is used mainly by professional photographers looking to make an exchange with a model, rather than paying the model to appear in images that they can use later. The exchange usually involves a professional photographer providing a free session and 1 or more digital images or prints in exchange for the model’s time and use of the images for specific purposes. When you sign up for a model call, the photographer should explicitly state what they will use the images for. I never use my images for selling on to third parties or advertisers. I only use images for my own purposes – website, social media and competition entries. However, not all photographers are the same, so make sure you check.

No such thing as a free lunch…

What I’ve just said brings me nicely on to my next point. Whilst newborn model calls are free photoshoot sessions offered by professional photographers, it’s important to understand and read the terms and conditions. Because as my parents used to say to me, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

For instance, are any images included in the newborn model call and if so how many? Are they digital files or prints? Are they edited or unedited? Is there an opportunity to purchase additional images and if so, how much are they?

Please be very wary of any photographer who refuses to give you prices when you ask. You don’t want to be in a situation where you feel pressured to invest in images because you love them but the price is more than you can pay. Nearly all of the professional photographers I know would never behave like this and I like to think it’s a rare problem; however, please be aware that this can be an issue.

All of my newborn model call sessions are offered as a free 60-90 minute in-home session within a 12 mile radius of ME19 with 5 free high resolution edited images included, accessible for 3 months via an online gallery. I also provide all my model call clients with a print release form which provides permission for clients to print their images as well as lower resolution images that are easier to share online with friends and family.

Whilst I don’t use model calls as an opportunity to sell anything, I do ask model call clients to complete a form to give me permission to use images anonymously on my website, my social media accounts and for entering competitions. To me that’s a fair exchange and I will only offer a model call to clients who are happy to accept these terms.

Make sure you like the photographer’s style

It might be free but the last thing you want is a set of model call images that you don’t like. Make sure you check out a photographer’s website and social media accounts to look through their portfolio, ideally read reviews and decide whether they are the photographer for you. Most photographers won’t give you any choice in the images you get on the day, so once you’ve decided you like their style then my advice is to relax and go with the flow. Trust that a photographer whose style you like, who has good reviews will produce images you’ll like at the very least and perhaps even love.

When I arrive at a model call client’s home to set up, I spend a few minutes explaining the plan for the session and the colours I’m using so clients understand how everything will work and can have confidence that the images will look great.

Your gallery will be chosen for you

Most photographers will choose the best images for you from the model call session. Usually the way it works is a newborn photographer will take a number of shots in each set-up they’ve created for your baby and then select the best ones for your gallery to edit and present to you as your final images. This is definitely my approach and I try to include at least one close up image to give model call clients some variation in their 5 image gallery.

Trust is the key

You are much more likely to have an enjoyable and relaxing model call experience if you trust the photographer to capture beautiful images, select the best ones and deliver them when they promise. Loving a photographer’s style is one thing, but if they take 2 months to deliver the images, you might think twice. I aim to turnaround all of my model call client images within 3 weeks. I normally contact model call clients a week after their session to let them know how the editing process is going and to confirm the date that their images will be ready. I then provide them with access to a private gallery where they can download their final images using a PIN.

To me, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a model call client or a paying client, you’re still a client and I want to provide you with the best possible service. Because that means you’re more likely to recommend me and as any good professional photographer knows, being recommended is just the best feeling in the world.