One of the most common questions we receive at Maxine & Shellaine Photography is: “Do you have to post our baby’s photos online or on social media?”
It’s a great question—and the short answer is: Absolutely not.
Bringing a new baby into the world is one of the most precious and private moments in life—and when you book a newborn session, it’s natural to wonder how your photos will be used afterward. Let’s walk through what that means for you, and how we handle privacy with care and respect.
1. Your Baby’s Privacy Matters
Maxine & Shellaine understand that newborn photos are deeply personal. Whether it’s your baby’s first sleepy smile, tiny toes, or a family cuddle on the couch—these are intimate moments that deserve sensitivity.
That’s why we never assume we can share your images publicly. While we love showing the world the beautiful families we work with, your permission is always required first.
2. What’s a Model Release—and Why Does It Matter?
Like many photographers, we include a model release in our client agreement. This is a clause that gives us permission to share select images on our website, Instagram, or marketing materials.
But here’s the key: You are absolutely free to opt out. If you’d prefer to keep your session completely private, all you have to do is let us know—and we’ll gladly honour that. We have a no-usage contract for families that wish to keep their images off our social media and website.
3. Can I Choose What Is or Isn’t Shared?
Yes! Many of our clients are happy for us to share a few anonymous or non-identifying images—like tiny feet, hands, or a even a softly lit newborn shot—but prefer to keep their full family portraits private.
We can tailor sharing permissions to your comfort level:
- Only detail shots, no faces
- No names, tags, or location info
- No sharing at all
Your peace of mind is more important to us than a post.
4. Why Photographers Ask to Share
As a small business, we rely on our portfolio and social media to reach new families. Seeing our work helps future clients feel confident about choosing us.
That said, we’ll never put marketing ahead of your boundaries. We respect the trust you place in us—especially when capturing your newest little love.
5. What Should You Do if You Prefer Privacy?
Just let us know! You can mention it during booking or request a privacy clause in your session agreement. We’re always happy to provide:
- Private, password-protected galleries (we do this for every session, regardless if we are sharing the images on socials or not!)
- No public sneak peeks
- A session that stays just between us
We truly believe beautiful photos don’t need to be on public display to be meaningful.
Final Thoughts
Your newborn session is about celebrating new life—not worrying about whether your baby’s photos will end up on the internet. Maxine & Shellaine Photography are committed to giving you not just beautiful images, but a sense of trust, care, and respect throughout the entire experience.
So no—we never have to share your photos. If you have any questions regarding this, please don’t hesitate to ask, you can each us here via our contact form.
However, while you are here, why not check out some clients who gave us permission to share, in our Newborn Gallery.
