What It’s Like to Work With an Experienced Newborn Photographer in Cheshire, North West England.
I’ve been photographing newborns and their families for 10 years from my studio in Sandbach, Cheshire. In those years, despite going through the craziness of Covid, I have had the wonderful experience of being named Newborn Photographer of the Year and gaining my Master Craftsman qualification in newborn photography. Those 10 years in business have taught me a lot, and I’ve evolved into an experienced, patient and creative photographer and businesswoman.
Here are some of the key lessons I’ve learned.
Why safety is instinct now, not a checklist
I am now on autopilot when it comes to safety while photographing babies. It’s no longer a checklist learned during training. There are things I do without consciously thinking, and it’s been interesting to stop and reflect on them today. These include:
Checking fingers are straight and visible. This is not just aesthetic. It shows that baby’s circulation is working nicely despite being posed or wrapped. Fingers should be a healthy colour, and if there are any signs of discolouration I automatically allow baby to have a wriggle and adjust their position.
Making sure the head is always supported. An unsupported baby is not just unsafe, it also means they are more likely to feel uncomfortable and therefore less likely to settle into a restful sleep in the position I’m aiming for.
When wrapped, ensuring the windpipe is open. Popping little hands under baby’s chin in wrapped poses is not just to look cute. It supports the chin, keeps the windpipe open and helps baby settle comfortably into a deep sleep.
You can see examples of my approach to safe newborn posing throughout my newborn portfolio.
How my eye for colour has evolved over time
When I first started my baby photography business, I was determined to use dark jewel tones alongside natural wood and wool textures. To be honest, this has continued throughout my work. More recently I’ve leaned towards more natural tones and off-whites that reflect the beauty of nature and motherhood, but dark brown still features heavily!
I feel like fashions within the newborn photography industry have evolved too. When I first began, pastel blues and pinks were considered essential newborn colours, ones I tended to avoid while others used them frequently. I still avoid them. Haha. The industry has caught up now, and neutral tones like whites, creams and beige are far more common throughout newborn photography as a whole.
Why patience matters more than props
Babies are human beings. They are completely vulnerable and they yearn to be loved and cared for. For me, the most essential part of newborn photography is patience and working with babies rather than pursuing a particular pose or prop.
As a parent, your memories of the photoshoot should be about how much your baby enjoyed the experience, not purely the aesthetics. This is why my sessions are completely relaxed and why I only ever book one shoot per day. It ensures each family has my full attention, time and care.
How my editing style became painterly and intentional
People often say to me, “I saw this photo and just knew it was your work.” It’s something I’m incredibly proud of. My editing style is intentionally warm, intimate and painterly. It has a striking quality that many other styles simply do not capture.
This approach has evolved over years of training and experience. I use specific techniques on every single image to ensure my work feels cohesive and unmistakably mine.
What I now say no to, and why that benefits clients
Over the years I’ve learned the importance of saying no to things that would compromise the experience I want every family to have.
Discounts. My clients value my art, and I say no to situations where that value is not shared. This includes enquiries from people who “just want one photo” or ask for discounted sessions. My pricing allows me to keep my workload manageable so that every client receives my full creative energy, time and attention.
Rushing sessions. I don’t rush babies, parents or myself. Babies set the pace, and allowing time for feeds, cuddles and settling creates a calmer experience overall. This unhurried approach results in images that feel gentle, intentional and true to those early days.
Ten years in, what matters most to me hasn’t changed. Babies deserve to be treated with care, parents deserve to feel reassured, and the photographs created during those early days should feel timeless and honest. Every decision I make in my work is guided by that belief, from how I photograph to how I run my studio. Experience shows itself quietly, in the way a session feels as much as in the images themselves.
