Behind the scenes of a newborn session with Deborah Longmore Photography
Beep, Beep, Beep! That’s the sound that starts my day—an early reminder that today, like many others, is going to be full of love, tiny toes, and creativity. A day in the life of a newborn photographer – behind the scenes newborn photography
Morning Madness & Mum Life
If you’re a parent, you’ll understand the morning chaos. Getting myself and my two kids ready is a mission—especially one of them (parents, you know the one… yep, the boy!). Once I’ve managed to get them up, dressed, and fed, the hardest part is done.
Luckily, I make sure to shower before they wake up, so I can actually sit and enjoy my coffee while I wait for them to emerge.
Studio wear for me is all about comfort and practicality: think leggings or jeggings and a black tee or vest top with my logo on it. It’s smart but comfy—I’m often on the floor, after all!
Breakfast? I usually skip it. Coffee is pretty much my fuel for most of the day—especially when I’m in the studio. I’m kind of used to running on caffeine at this point!,
Setting the Stage for a Newborn Session
I’m lucky that the studio is only about a 10-minute drive from home (school run aside!), which means I can be there before 9am to get everything set up. My newborn sessions usually start around 10am—I’ve found that gives parents a bit more time to get to the studio, especially if they’re coming from further afield. Plus, it tends to be when most babies are at their calmest… though let’s be honest, babies don’t exactly stick to a schedule!
Each session is tailored based on the family’s preferences. Thanks to the pre-session questionnaire, I’ll have chosen colour palettes, wraps, headbands, and props ahead of time. No two sessions are exactly the same—I believe every family deserves something bespoke and beautiful.
Comfort Is Key (For Me and Baby)
I spend a lot of time on my knees, gently bending and reaching to guide babies into those sweet little poses—so comfort is key. Every prop in the studio is thoughtfully chosen with baby’s safety and support in mind, from the soft posing cushions to the tiniest wrap. Everything I need is within arm’s reach, making the space not just cozy, but perfectly practical too.
Grace Under Pressure (and Patience in Abundance)
Not every session goes perfectly—and that’s perfectly okay. Whether it’s a fussy baby or an energetic toddler sibling, I always follow baby’s lead. If baby needs a feed, we stop. If they need a cuddle, we pause. If they’re simply not having it that day, we reschedule—at no extra cost.
It’s the same with siblings. Sometimes they’re not feeling it, and that’s okay too. We can try creative edits or bring them back another day. This is a no-pressure zone.
The Session Flow
We always start with we move onto prop poses—baskets, bowls, and the cutest little beds. This part goes quicker and gives us some truly special images.
After that, beanbag posing—those adorable, curled-up shots. It’s the longest part because it involves a lot of gentle repositioning and soothing. Some babies love it; others… not so much. I work with each baby’s personality and comfort level.
Then we finish with family and sibling portraits (which are included in all my full session packages if requested), which can be heartfelt, candid, or even silhouetted if you’re not feeling “photo-ready.”
The Post-Session Cleanup
Once everyone leaves, it’s straight into cleaning mode. Every fabric gets washed, props get disinfected or steamed, and the studio is reset for the next session. Floors, sofas, even the toilet get a once-over.
Once everything’s packed away, I usually head home around 2:30pm on weekdays (normally 5pm on Saturdays). I start uploading all the images from the session to my computer, and while that’s happening, I treat myself to a much-needed mug of fuel (aka coffee) and maybe a snack. After a full day of kneeling, bending, and posing, my knees and back are definitely grateful for the break!
School Run & Mum Mode (Again)
By mid-afternoon, it’s back into mum mode—school pick-up, snacks, after-school clubs, dinner, and the bedtime routine (you know how it goes!). I love catching up with the kids and hearing about their day. My daughter used to play pretend-photographer with her dolls, which always made me smile. These days, both kids usually vanish to their rooms to catch up with friends, giving me a chance to dive into editing and admin for the evening.
Editing: The Hidden Hours
The truth is, editing takes forever. For newborns especially, I carefully fix background lines, adjust skin tones (goodbye jaundice!), soften shadows, and fine-tune every detail while keeping the image natural and timeless. It can take 8 hours to edit one session.
I do most of my editing in the evenings once my out-of-office is on—no distractions, just me and the images. Mondays are my designated admin day, which helps keep everything running smoothly. I’m really mindful about protecting my family time, so Sundays and Friday/Saturday evenings are always reserved for my kids. Most galleries are delivered within 1–2 weeks, or up to 3-4 weeks during busier seasons—but I always keep my clients in the loop.
The Not-So-Photographic Bits
Running a business means handling the “unseen” tasks too: replying to enquiries, sending contracts and questionnaires, managing invoices, ordering prints and products, and staying on top of admin. It’s not glamorous, but it’s part of the job—and I honestly enjoy it.
Lights Out
By around 11 PM, I’m usually ready to crash (unless I’m powering through a gallery edit while listening to an audio book or music —multitasking queen!). I go to bed tired but fulfilled, knowing I’ve helped create something special for a family to cherish forever.
Final Thoughts
Being a newborn photographer isn’t just about taking cute photos. It’s about patience, love, detail, and respect—for the babies, the parents, and the moment. It’s a joy, an honour, and yes—sometimes hard work. But I wouldn’t change a thing.
Thank you for following along with a day in my life. If you’re expecting and thinking about booking your own newborn session, I’d love to welcome you into my little studio and help you capture these fleeting, precious days.
With love,
Deborah x
behind the scenes newborn photography
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