Newborn Photographer Tips | Deborah Longmore Photography
Choosing a newborn photographer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your baby’s first weeks. You’re trusting someone to safely handle, soothe, and pose your tiny new arrival — and not all photographers have the training or experience required for newborn work.
As a Master Craftsman newborn photographer based in Tamworth, and a Top 10 International Newborn and Baby Photographer since 2016, I understand how overwhelming it can feel to choose the right person. This guide will help you understand what to look for, what questions to ask, and which red flags to avoid before booking your newborn session.
1. Check Their Safety Training and Qualifications
Your baby’s safety is everything. Newborn photography requires specialist knowledge, gentle handling techniques, and an understanding of safe posing.
Here’s what you should look for:
🎓 Specialist newborn photography training
🏅 Membership of recognised professional bodies
🤲 Experience with safe posing, composite images and baby-led sessions
🏡 A clean, warm and well-prepared studio
🏆 Awards or qualifications
⏳ Time in business
Why This Matters
Certain newborn poses must only be attempted by trained professionals. A properly trained photographer will always put safety and comfort before any specific image.
Certain poses also need to be posed correctly as they can restrict babies airflow if hands are not correctly placed
👉 At Deborah Longmore Photography, I am fully trained, insured, and recognised as a Master Craftsman — the highest level of professional expertise.
2. Ask About Insurance
A professional newborn photographer should have:
📃 Public liability insurance
📃 Professional indemnity insurance
If a photographer cannot confirm they are insured, this is a clear sign to walk away.
3. Look Through Their Portfolio (Not Just Instagram)
A photographer’s portfolio tells you everything you need to know about their skill, style, and consistency.
When reviewing their work, check for:
💡 Consistent lighting and editing
🤱 Babies looking comfortable and supported
✋ Babies’ fingers relaxed and not clenched
🌸 Babies do not show purple hands/feet/limbs
📐 A variety of poses and angles
🎨 A style that you genuinely love
If every image looks very different, the photographer might still be experimenting rather than specialising. If babies show discolouration in hands/feet/limbs they have also been posed incorrectly and bloodflow has been restricted.
👉 You can explore my full newborn portfolio on my website to see the style, safety and consistency you can expect from your own session.
4. Read Client Reviews and Testimonials
Whilst it can be difficult for parents to know whether a pose has been correctly obtained, whether the lighting or editing is correct, reviews reveal what the experience was really like for other parents
Look for comments about:
😌 How comfortable and relaxed they felt
🤱 How the photographer handled their baby
🗣️ Patience and gentle communication
🏢 The studio experience
🖼️ Final image quality
A strong set of reviews should leave you feeling reassured, not unsure.
5. Understand Their Posing Style and Session Approach
Every newborn photographer has a different style, so it’s important to choose one that matches what you envision.
Some photographers focus on:
🎀 Posed, wrapped images with props
🌿 Natural, minimalist styling
🏠 In-home lifestyle sessions
🎨 Neutral or soft colour palettes
🌈 More dramatic or colourful themes
Baby-Led vs Set Posing
A trained newborn photographer will always work at baby’s pace:
🍽️ Allowing feeding breaks
🛏️ Keeping baby warm and settled
🖐️ Choosing poses that suit baby’s flexibility
🙌 Never forcing any position
👉 My sessions are completely baby-led, calm, and focused on safe, natural posing.
6. Questions to Ask Before Booking
Here are some essential questions to help you make the right choice:
❓ What newborn safety training have you completed?
🛡️ Are you fully insured?
📆 How many newborn sessions do you photograph each month?
🎓 How long have you specialised in newborn photography?
👶 What happens if my baby is unsettled during the session?
🖼️ Can I see a full gallery from one session?
📦 What is included in your packages?
👨👩👧 Do you photograph family and sibling portraits too?
A confident photographer will happily answer these.
7. Red Flags to Watch Out For
Keep an eye out for these signs that a photographer may not be suitable:
⚠️ No mention of newborn safety training by a trusted trainer
🛑 No insurance
💸 Very low pricing (a sign of inexperience)
📷 Poor lighting or awkward posing in their portfolio
🧹 A cluttered or unsafe studio setup
📉 Limited newborn photos in their portfolio
🧩 Images showing poses that should be composites but aren’t
🎚️ Poor editing or photos showing discolouration to the skin
❓ Avoiding questions about safety or training
If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts.
8. Why Choosing a Specialist Matters
Newborn photography requires skill, confidence and experience. A specialist photographer offers:
🧠 Knowledge of newborn anatomy
🤱 Safe posing techniques
🏡 A warm, calming studio environment
🍼 Expertise in soothing and wrapping
🎛️ Professional lighting and editing
💛 Patience and understanding
🎨 A consistent, beautiful style
Your newborn will only be this tiny once — choosing the right photographer ensures these memories are captured safely and beautifully.
Ready to Choose Your Newborn Photographer?
If you’re looking for a fully trained, highly experienced and award-winning newborn photographer in Tamworth, Staffordshire, I would be honoured to capture your baby’s first precious days.
At Deborah Longmore Photography, you can expect:
🏆 Master Craftsman-level newborn expertise
🧘 A warm, calm, baby-led studio environment
🛡️ Full safety training and insurance
🎀 Beautiful props, wraps and styling
👨👩👧 Family and sibling portraits included
✨ A relaxed, memorable experience
⭐ Ready to Book Your Newborn Photoshoot Near Birmingham?
If you’re expecting a baby or have recently welcomed your little one, this is the perfect time to secure your newborn photoshoot.
📅 Early booking guarantees availability
🤰 Flexible dates around your due date
💳 Interest-free payment plans available
📘 A full session guide so you feel relaxed and prepared
📩 Message me to chat about your session. I can’t wait to meet you and your little one!
⭐ Final Thoughts
A newborn photoshoot isn’t just about taking beautiful pictures — it’s about preserving the tiny details and fleeting moments that disappear so quickly. Travelling from Birmingham to my peaceful Tamworth studio gives you a safe, gentle and luxurious experience designed entirely around your baby.
Your little one will never be this small again.
Let’s create something magical from these earliest days.
Ready to Book Your Newborn Photoshoot Birmingham?
I’d love to capture these precious moments for your family.
Book your Midlands newborn photoshoot in Tamworth or Birmingham 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
📩 Message me to chat about your session. I can’t wait to meet you and your little one!
Ready to Book Your Newborn Photographer?
I’d love to capture these precious moments for your family.
Book your Midlands newborn photoshoot in Tamworth or Birmingham 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
📩 Enquire today to check availability for your newborn session.
Early booking during pregnancy is strongly recommended.
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