There’s nothing more DIY than starting your own business. Here are tips how one newborn photographer built her photography business from the ground up! (Written and photographed by CHAYA BRAUN | Part 1 of 3)
When people ask me how I became a newborn photographer, I think back to that beautiful morning in 2012. The sun was shining deceptively, as though it was a normal Tuesday. It wasn’t.
“That was the day Google updated their algorithm and wiped out 80% of my traffic and income.”
Baltimore newborn photographer Chaya Braun with her daughter.
As a work-at-home mom expecting my 4th child, my gut told me it was time to sell my network of websites. Google’s newest changes were penalizing my sites for activities they rewarded in the past. I was an affiliate marketer, earning a comfortable living since 2005 with my laptop on my couch. Yet Google’s Penguin update tore through my business the way Waze had put TomTom out of business.
“As I spent all my postpartum free time researching various career options, the magic of photography penetrated my heart.”
Photography was an alluring foreign language to me at that point. I knew nothing about it, yet it intrigued my creative soul.
Photo by Baltimore newborn photographer Chaya Braun
Shortly after our daughter’s first birthday, I registered her in a nearby daycare and began to dig into the business of photography. I added long lists of equipment to my wish list, and offered to assist local photographers. Also, I joined online forums to chat with other newborn photographers, and researched workshops I wanted to attend.
“Armed with the Nikon D700 camera and the 24-70 and 70-200 f/2.8 lenses, I was ready to conquer and capture the world in all its glorious color!”
As I memorized the exposure triangle, I photographed my children, the flowers in my garden, and the fruits on my dining room table. Suddenly, I got phone calls to photograph birthday parties and bar mitzvahs. Life was getting busier. My work/life balance came to a screeching halt, however, after I assisted at several weddings and my childcare arrangements fell through.
Photo by Baltimore newborn photographer Chaya Braun
“The magic of wedding photography clashed jarringly with the reality of being a mom to a toddler.”
In June of 2014, newborn photographer Julia Keleher gave a workshop on CreativeLive. I was mesmerized by the beautiful images of innocent babies. Then something clicked in my brain: I could photograph babies on weekdays, when daycare was open!
Plowing forward at full speed, I arranged model calls and photographed over 20 infants free of charge. Using the natural light in my dining room, I pushed a table to the corner and set up blankets and baskets for all of the town’s new bundles of joy!
Photo by Baltimore newborn photographer Chaya Braun
“Have you ever attempted to duplicate a complex feat someone on YouTube did easily, then fallen flat on your face?”
That was me, all through the summer and fall of 2014. Unlike the vast majority of humanity, newborn babies cannot hold their heads upright. Each limb needs to be posed and angled correctly for optimum portraits.
Photo by Baltimore newborn photographer Chaya Braun
“There were plenty of days when I wanted to throw in the towel; yet I was determined to master this unique art.”
After several months, I graduated from offering free baby photo shoots to offering five free images, and upselling the rest of the gallery to all the new moms in my neighborhood. To my surprise, many of these new parents purchased additional photos. I reinvested the income into props and workshops.
Photo by Baltimore newborn photographer Chaya Braun
Newborn photographer Facebook groups proved to be a goldmine of free information and tips. I spent hours each day devouring words of wisdom from the experienced pros. Unabashedly requesting constructive criticism of my images, I made small improvements as I learned from each shoot.
At that point, I raised my pricing to $100 per shoot, which included five digital images. Each additional image was $25, or the entire gallery could be purchased for $250.
“Yes, I was aware that my pricing would not cover my costs of doing business. Yet I chose to view that time period as a season of education, rather than an opportunity to earn income.”
Photo by Baltimore newborn photographer Chaya Braun
My low pricing enabled me to garner many clients and master the intricacies of newborn photography while purchasing seats at online workshops. Instead of investing in formal education at a local college, I mused, I would work for pennies while I honed my skills.
As my business bank account grew from a few nickels to several hundred dollars, I invested in studio lighting. To create studio space, I banished an informal synagogue in my home’s lower level to a neighbor’s basement. As good fortune would have it, our home is located on a corner. My studio has a street entrance, and I have no need to clean up the kitchen and living room when clients visit! A nearby bathroom is perfectly situated right outside the studio. My studio was prepared for business!
“Slowly, I raised my prices.”
Photo by Baltimore newborn photographer Chaya Braun
“It took a lot of guts for me to charge money I would never have spent as a consumer.”
I grew up in a home that visited Sears or JC Penny with a $9.99 coupon every year. My mother made color photocopies of those portraits for my grandparents. (She had no clue that it was illegal; things were different when I was a kid in the 80’s!)
Each time I raised my prices, my heart would beat wildly in fear, and I felt terrified that there would be no bookings. To be honest, there were some slow weeks. Since I was continuously requesting feedback on my photos from my instructors, I regularly advertised model calls where I offered just 2-3 free images. Those models kept me busy, gave my social media the appearance of success, and many clients would upgrade and purchase more than their complementary images.
Photo by Baltimore newborn photographer Chaya Braun
I often asked my clients to snap behind-the-scenes photos of me working with their baby in different setups, and I would save some of those to post on Facebook and Instagram for the days that business was slow.
“My marketing was effective, and everyone believed that I was constantly busy!”
Search engine optimization (SEO) was a game changer for my business, and I reaped the rewards of my intense efforts in Autumn of 2016. Finally, clients were calling who lived in other towns – clients who didn’t know my friends or neighbors! The diversity of my portfolio increased, which caused my local community to respect me further.
Photos by Baltimore newborn photographer Chaya Braun
While my feet were up in stirrups at a yearly OBGYN checkup, I asked my doctor if I could decorate his waiting room with newborn artwork. He was amenable to the idea, and I created $100 gift voucher cards to display along with a grouping of canvases.
The owner of a local ultrasound clinic was pregnant at the time, and I offered her a free session in exchange for a display of my work in her waiting room. She loved my photos so much that she took down old photos from another photographer whose business had relocated.
Photo by Baltimore newborn photographer Chaya Braun
“Then the fiancée of a Ravens player saw my images at her ultrasound and contacted me.”
My hometown of Baltimore is obsessed with football. Although, as I graciously explained to her, I do not follow or understand sports. Photographing the baby of an NFL player put my business in a new league, and gave me the confidence to further raise my prices.
As my business account grew, I constantly transferred 30% of the incoming money into my family account. The rest I saved for taxes, business expenses, and reinvested in education. Coming from a frugal background, I did my best to run my business in the most economical manner possible.
Photo by Baltimore newborn photographer Chaya Braun
“While most photographers have a cool Mac, I researched and discovered that I could get far more for my money with a PC. Though many newborn photographers purchase props at specialized prop vendors, I discovered that scarves on sale at Target and TJ Maxx work well for wrapping babies at a quarter of the price.”
Anytime there was a newborn photographer hosting a de-stash sale in the state of Maryland, you could find me there, picking up second-hand props at a fraction of the price of new ones. I learned to knit and made several little blankets, (although I never did figure out how to make hats – with all those curved surfaces!)
Photo by Baltimore newborn photographer Chaya Braun
Slowly, I upgraded my studio, getting newer furniture and even hiring an interior designer to advise me about making the most of my space. My desk, chairs, and couch were now white, courtesy of Wayfair, which made the room seem bigger and brighter. A mirror strategically placed across from the client sitting area also enhanced the sense of roominess.
“The snack bar was creatively designed to sit right on top of the mini refrigerator, easily accessible to hungry new moms.”
Last month I hosted my own personal de-stash sale, where I earned over a thousand dollars by selling piles of props that I no longer used. I’ve learned to discern which kinds of props will yield multiple uses and look timeless for years to come.
Photo by Baltimore newborn photographer Chaya Braun
“Education is the where I continuously invest my resources.”
I take newborn photographer courses as well as classes on running a successful business. I’ve found that success in this industry is 20% photography skills and 80% business skills, so I constantly learn new things. This leads to improved photos and more efficient business systems.
When it comes to baby photography pricing tips, “Each year I raise my pricing and make a commitment to stick with the new price list for at least 6 months.”
During that half a year, I do not allow myself to overthink my pricing, and stay confidently with my current system. At the end of six months, I write down potential revisions for the future. This alleviates the enormous burden of constantly renegotiating about my pricing. I still think about it, yet I know that I can’t change anything for a while. My self-imposed rule keeps my energy focused on doing the best I can each day.
Photos by Baltimore newborn photographer Chaya Braun
“There is a vast sea of infinite information out there on succeeding as a newborn photographer.”
I comfort myself with the fact that I don’t need to know it all. Yet, learning and growing both the art and business as a newborn photographer is a process of joy and satisfaction.
Ultimately, there is nothing more pleasurable than reaping the rewards of the seeds that you have worked hard to sow!
Photo by Baltimore newborn photographer Chaya Braun
What Do You Need for DIY Newborn Photography?
Chaya shared some amazing insights on what it’s like to build a business focused primarily on baby photography. Building on her recommendations and tips, here are some of our tips for must-have items you need to start your own baby photo business.
DSLR Camera
Start with the basics, right?! When starting out in newborn photography, you don’t even need to get the latest and greatest (translation: expensive!) equipment on the market. That being said, you will want to buy a reliable camera that is durable and can last you at least your first few years in business.
Good Light Source
Keep it simple! Natural light is really the best DIY newborn photography light you can have. If you are doing newborn lifestyle photography, you can often rely on natural light streaming in from your clients’ windows or doors.
You can also select rooms based on which have the best, brightest light so you can avoid using flash when photographing a baby. Trust us, nobody wants to wake a sleeping baby! Remebra, your clients are hiring you because you are an experienced photographer. They expect you to be the professional who can find ways to create soft or dramatic light without blasting flash into their adorable, sleeping baby’s eyes.
If you’d like to try mimicking studio lights or softboxes, make sure that the light isn’t too harsh and isn’t directly above or below the newborn baby’s face.
Backdrop
The easiest way to secure a backdrop is by investing in a backdrop stand. If you’re worried that a stand will take up too much space, you can simply use strong tape or clips to secure a lightweight backdrop to a wall. If you have a spare curtain pole, you can also try that to hang a backdrop. Just experiment with these safely before using them on an actual client session!
Since your goal is a DIY newborn photography shoot, light blankets or bed sheets are among the most cost-effective tools. Depending on your baby photoshoot theme, try out blankets with different patterns, colors, or textures.
If you want to prop up the newborn baby, put a pillow on the floor, on a couch, or a basket. (First and foremost, you should always follow safety guidelines and precautions when photographing newborns.)
Clothing
It’s common to see newborn photos with babies wrapped up in swaddles. This is because newborns love the cozy, snug fit of swaddles, giving them the feeling of being inside their mother’s belly. Also, swaddling is one of the textbook tips for newborn photographers!
Newborns can also wear costumes. However, if you want to highlight some cute features, it’s better if the baby is naked. You can cross the newborn baby’s legs or cover the lower part of the body with a cloth. Again, be sure to follow safe posing practices.
You can always go for a more creative look and try other articles of clothing like tutu skirts, beanies, headdresses, and wings.
Props
Unleash your creativity. Clients hire a professional photographer for newborn shoots because they are after quality and expertise. Aside from blankets, toys, stuffed animals, and letterboard announcements are among the most popular newborn photography props.
If you are a fan of a certain book or show, bring out your memorabilia and use those as props for a themed shoot. Another idea is to surround the baby with flowers or leaves. Just make sure that the props won’t harm or agitate the baby–safety comes first!
DIY Newborn Photography Tips
Here are more simple tips to help you out as you start photographing babies.
Be Patient
Before anything else, prepare yourself to run into some challenges when you’re hired to take newborn pictures. Just like taking care of a baby, DIY newborn photography also requires patience–lots and lots! Be prepared to pause, change plans, and retake shots in a single session.
Dedicate some time to cover for a newborn’s basic needs, particularly feeding time. Remember, documenting real life moments creates good photo opportunities and poses. Covering all of these key moments will probably take you at least two hours–and it will be worth it!
Think About the Newborn Baby’s Safety
Babies don’t have fully developed muscles and joints, so use care when posing them. You have to be extremely careful not to hurt them during a DIY newborn photoshoot. If you want to try a more complicated pose, make sure you read safety guidelines and have someone assisting you.
For example, you’ll often see newborn photos of babies resting their chins on their palms. But their joints, arms, and hands aren’t yet fully developed to support the weight of their bodies. It’s only safe to do this pose if another person can hold the baby’s head for support. In many cases, popular poses you see online are actually composites!
One of the key tips to remember during a photoshoot for a baby is to be observant and err on the side of caution. Straining a baby’s joints is very dangerous.
Keep the Environment Warm
Ensure that your DIY baby photoshoot location is warm enough for the newborn baby’s comfort. When the newborn is cold, it will be harder for the baby to cooperate with you.
When taking newborn pictures, don’t make the mistake of setting the air conditioner too cold. No matter how hot it is outside, keep the internal temperature moderate for the baby’s comfort.
However, be mindful of the heat. If the space is too hot, the little one might get cranky, making it more difficult for you to adjust the baby’s poses while taking DIY newborn photos.
Try Different Angles and Perspectives
One of the best DIY newborn photography tips to consider is to prepare and use a shot list, especially if this is your first session. It helps to review a guide so that you can carefully move from one pose to another. Besides, it will save you from forgetting a pose you’ve always wanted to try.
For every DIY baby pose, try taking photos from at least three different angles. Variety is important to your client. Shoot from the sides, top, and at eye level. Changing your perspective gives you creative ways to make the baby look even more adorable.
Photograph those Little Details
One of the goals of DIY newborn photography is to capture the beauty of newborns. Take close-up shots of their tiny fingers, toes, ears, and eyes. Parents want to remember what their babies look like, especially when they are so small.
Involve the Family Members
What better way to show intimacy and connection than letting family members join the baby for some newborn photos?
Capture real moments like an older brother or sister lying on the floor beside the baby. Meanwhile, the parents might tenderly hug or gently kiss their newborn baby’s forehead.
Have fun and Take Lots of Photos
It’s normal to be nervous about whether the backdrop looks good when photographing newborn babies. Maybe you’re worried about using props, clothes, or swaddles. You might even overthink whether the baby is fine or if you’re doing the DIY newborn shoot correctly.
Relax. Take a deep breath. Remember that what matters most is you’re able to capture the wonder and beauty of a little person! Your goal is simply to get memorable photos and showcase a baby at such a young age.
Although taking lots of DIY newborn photos means potentially spending more time culling and editing, this is a smart decision, especially if you want to make sure you’re not missing any details. Just spend a moment reviewing your pictures during the shoot, so that you can make changes to props, clothes, or poses.
Use Photo Editing Apps and Software
Photo editing software like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop are every DIY newborn photographer’s best friend. Lightroom is well-known for its ability to allow you to streamline your editing and apply presets to multiple newborn pictures at once.
On the other hand, Photoshop is your best bet for more in-depth edits, like removing blemishes or elements on the new baby’s face or body. Photoshop is great when working on individual images, whereas Lightroom will serve you better when editing complete newborn photography galleries.
Does Chaya’s journey sound like your own? What challenges did you overcome while building your business? What challenges are you still working to overcome? What baby photography tips would you like to share?
Comment below!
Written and photographed by: CHAYA BRAUN
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