Birmingham Women’s Hospital | Deborah Longmore Photography
Nearly 17 years ago, I became a mum for the very first time.
My beautiful boy Tom was born at Birmingham Women’s Hospital, and like every new parent, I was completely in awe of this tiny, perfect little person. But within hours of his arrival, our journey together took a frightening turn — one that would shape both of our lives, and ultimately lead me to become the newborn photographer I am today.
A Life-Saving Test at Birmingham Women’s Hospital
Shortly after Tom was born, the team at Birmingham Women’s Hospital carried out a pulse oximetry test. At the time, the hospital was trialling this screening on newborns — and I will be forever grateful that Tom was part of that trial.
The test revealed that something wasn’t right. The oxygen levels in his hands and feet didn’t match. His feet were showing no output at all. The medical team quickly discovered that Tom had Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN) — a condition where the flap in the lungs doesn’t close properly after birth, preventing oxygen from circulating as it should.
If Birmingham Women’s Hospital hadn’t been running that trial, we would have been sent home just six hours after he was born. The outcome could have been tragic. That test quite literally saved his life.
Tom was taken straight to intensive care and placed in an oxygen tent. That first week was terrifying — full of wires, machines, uncertainty, and prayers. We managed just a handful of photos right after he was born. Once he was finally well enough to come home, I found myself wanting to capture every single moment. Every smile. Every milestone. Every quiet, ordinary morning. Because I knew — in a way I hadn’t before — just how precious each one was.
How Birmingham Women’s Hospital Changed the Way I See Photography
Although I had studied photography in my teens, it was that experience at Birmingham Women’s Hospital that truly ignited my passion. Becoming Tom’s mum — and nearly losing him — gave me a deep, bone-deep understanding of why photographs matter.
They aren’t just pretty pictures. They are proof that someone was here. That a moment happened. That a family was together. That a baby, against the odds, came home.
That’s the lens through which I’ve seen my work ever since.
From That Tiny Baby to Nearly Seventeen
Now, as Tom approaches seventeen, I can hardly believe how fast the years have gone. He’s grown into such an incredible young man — funny, kind, and wonderfully independent (even if getting him to pose for photos these days is next to impossible). I still sneak in the occasional candid shot, because that urge to capture time — to freeze those fleeting moments — never really goes away.
Watching him grow is a constant reminder of why I pour so much of myself into this work. Life moves quickly. The newborn snuggles, the toddler giggles, the first birthdays and family days out — they pass in the blink of an eye. Photos let us hold on to those moments just a little longer.
Newborn Photography in Birmingham and the Midlands
My journey began at Birmingham Women’s Hospital, and Birmingham has always held a very special place in my heart. I work with families across the Midlands — from Tamworth and Lichfield to Birmingham, Solihull, and beyond — and every single session carries that same feeling I had when Tom finally came home: relief, joy, and a desperate need to remember every detail.
Whether you’ve just brought your baby home from Birmingham Women’s Hospital, from Good Hope, Heartlands, or anywhere else across the Midlands — I would be truly honoured to capture this chapter of your story.
Because I know, better than most, how quickly it passes.
And I know exactly how much these photos will mean — not just now, but for a lifetime.
Tom — the one who made me a mum.
The one who taught me how fragile and beautiful life really is. ❤️
If you’d love to capture your own newborn story, I’d love to help.
Book your newborn photography session in Birmingham or Tamworth today — and let’s create images you’ll treasure forever.
If you’d love to capture your own family’s story, I’d love to help.
Booking Your Newborn Photography Session
Because newborn sessions are best captured in the first two weeks, I recommend booking during pregnancy to reserve space around your due date. Once baby arrives, we confirm the exact session date.
If you are searching for newborn photography near Burton on Trent, Ashbourne or Swadlincote, Deborah Longmore Photography offers a professional yet relaxed studio experience just a short drive away in Tamworth.
Capturing these fleeting early days is an investment in memories that will last a lifetime.
To book your newborn photography session or learn more, get in touch with Deborah Longmore Photography today.
Ready to Book Your newborn photoshoot?
I’d love to capture these precious moments for your family.
Book your newborn session in Tamworth today to enjoy these benefits firsthand
👉 Contact Deborah Longmore Photography or book via the online calender today to check availability and reserve your due date.
