Podcast Episode 6: Newborn Photography
We all start somewhere
This episode is an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about what newborn photography really involves—and why doing it safely, beautifully, and consistently requires far more than “being good with a camera.”
Natalia opens by highlighting Michele’s newborn work and invites her to share how she got started. Michele reflects on her early photography years and how a mentor in her homeschool environment encouraged her to find her passion. Because she’d always been around babies—through family daycare and volunteering—newborn photography felt like a natural direction. But once she started photographing newborns, she quickly realized something important: newborn photography is incredibly difficult. It’s not the kind of niche you can wing if you want to create professional results—both for safety and for quality.
From there, Michele explains how she went “all in” on learning: years of training, mentorship, workshops, and real-world practice. She emphasizes that education isn’t optional in this field—it’s foundational. Newborn photography requires careful handling, calm pacing, and the ability to guide parents confidently so they feel safe while trusting you with their baby.
That leads into a breakdown of what Natalia and Michele are building at The Arlen Studio: a hands-on newborn workshop designed to give photographers a strong foundation. They share what attendees can expect, including newborn basics, safety and proper handling, communication with parents, what questions to ask, wrapping techniques, smooth transitions between beanbag and props, and the camera angles that instantly elevate newborn images. The workshop is intentionally kept small so attendees can truly practice and get feedback. Photographers will observe live posing with real newborn models, and also practice with stand-in babies to build muscle memory for wrapping and workflow.
The episode then explores some of the biggest factors that affect success in newborn photography:
Safety and confidence: Especially for photographers who aren’t parents, hands-on training can make the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling prepared.
Timing: Michele shares her preferred window for newborn sessions and why scheduling matters, while acknowledging there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer.
Working with siblings: Michele explains why she often splits newborn + family photos into two separate sessions—one calm day focused only on baby, and another shorter day focused on the family—so toddlers aren’t expected to be quiet and patient for hours.
Including parents: Even when moms don’t feel camera-ready, Michele encourages them to show up prepared because those photos become priceless memories, even if they don’t choose them right away.
From the client perspective, Natalia and Michele also address the question they hear constantly: Why does newborn photography cost so much? They explain that newborn photography is a luxury service because it includes years of education, safety training (including CPR certification), specialized props and equipment, long session times, and intensive editing. The investment isn’t only financial—it’s emotional, too. The newborn phase is brief and fleeting, and these photographs become part of a family’s history.
They wrap by talking about editing newborns, including how newborn skin can vary wildly in tone and texture, and how editing is its own skill set that takes time to master. They share that while posing and handling truly benefits from in-person mentorship, editing can be learned through online education—through classes, tutorials, and trusted educators.
The episode ends on a community-building note: Natalia and Michele invite listeners to send in topic requests, reach out with questions, and even join them on the podcast as a guest. Upcoming episodes will cover cost of doing business and how to start a photography business, including how different timelines and technology eras shaped the way each host built their career.
And for a little fun (and encouragement): they’ll be sharing photos from their early work in the show notes—because progress is real, growth is earned, and nobody starts as an expert.