What's the Difference Between Professional and DIY Newborn Photos?

Jennifer
5 days ago
5 min read

Honestly? I Think You Should Do Both. ❤️

Before you think this is one of those blogs where the photographer tells you why you should hire a photographer... let me stop you right there.

Sleeping newborn baby wrapped in a white swaddle in a woven basket during a professional newborn photography session by Tiny Details Photography in Aurora, Colorado.

I'm actually going to tell you to take all the pictures.

Seriously.

Take the blurry ones. Take the sleepy milk-drunk smiles. Take the one where your baby's tiny fist is covering half their face. Take the 2 a.m. picture when you're exhausted, your hair is a mess, and your baby has fallen asleep on your chest.

One day those pictures are going to mean everything because you were there.

Now... can I tell you a little story?

The Day I Realized I Couldn't Photograph My Own Baby

When my oldest daughter, Allison, was born, I was already a professional photographer.

I knew my camera. I knew lighting. I knew editing. So naturally I thought, "Perfect. I'll just do my own newborn pictures and save us some money."

😂 Turns out... newborns don't really care how confident you are.

Over three different days, I probably spent close to twelve hours trying to get the pictures I had imagined. Every time I thought, "Okay... she's asleep. This is it." I'd gently lay her down and she'd curl herself into the funniest little pretzel. I'd try to straighten a hand or move an arm just a tiny bit... and her little eyes would pop right open.

Then she'd want milk. Then she'd get gassy. Then we'd finally get her settled again, and we'd start the whole cycle over.

By the time my husband got home on that third day, I was sitting on the floor crying.

Looking back now, it's almost funny. At the time? It absolutely wasn't.

I Thought I Was Failing...

But I wasn't.

Here's what I didn't understand yet...

I wasn't struggling because I was a bad photographer.

I was struggling because I wasn't a newborn photographer.

There's a huge difference.

At the time, I honestly thought newborn photography was just regular photography with a really tiny client. I had no idea how much skill went into safely posing a newborn, recognizing when they were truly comfortable, or knowing how to soothe them without completely starting over.

Even now, more than eight years later, I'm still taking workshops and learning from other newborn photographers. In fact, I'm heading to another three-day training soon because I never want to stop learning.

One of the things I love most about this specialty is that there's always something new to learn—for safety, for comfort, and for creating a better experience for families. (Speaking of safety, I actually wrote another blog all about Is Newborn Photography Safe for Babies? because it's one of the most important questions parents can ask.)

Here's the Part That Might Surprise You...

I did end up hiring a newborn photographer.

Actually... two.

After my DIY adventure, I realized I wanted someone else to create those portraits for us. A dear friend of mine, who had started specializing in newborn photography, photographed Allison. I still treasure those images, and knowing what I know now, I would have happily paid twice what she charged.

Then Caroline came along.

This time, I found a photographer whose entire business revolved around newborns.

Watching her work was incredible.

Everything felt calm.

Nothing felt rushed.

She knew exactly when to wait, exactly when to reposition baby, and somehow made something incredibly difficult look completely effortless.

(Spoiler... it isn't effortless. It just looks that way after years of practice.)

Walking out of that session, I remember thinking, "This is what I want to learn."

Looking back, I don't think I just hired a photographer.

I found my future career. -PS thank you and love you Devin

So... Should You DIY Your Newborn Photos?

Absolutely.

Please do.

I mean that with my whole heart.

Your phone is going to capture moments no professional photographer ever could. The sleepy snuggles on the couch. The funny faces during diaper changes. The first bath. The way your baby wraps their whole hand around one finger.

Those aren't "less than" professional portraits.

They're different.

In fact, I'm so passionate about parents documenting those everyday moments that we're building an app to help make it easier. Because those little snapshots matter just as much as the portraits hanging on your wall.

The question isn't whether you should take your own photos.

The question is whether you'd also like someone to preserve this season from the outside while you're busy living it.

What You're Really Investing In

People sometimes think they're paying me to press a camera button.

They're not.

They're investing in four hours of peace.

When families come into my studio, I usually tell them to get comfortable. Grab a snack. Sit on the couch. Watch if you want to... or close your eyes for a little while if you need to.

My job is to worry about whether baby needs another feeding, another cuddle, or just another five quiet minutes.

When the room is calm, babies usually settle.

When babies settle, their little personalities begin to shine.

That's when I get the sleepy smiles, the tiny stretches, and those expressions that make parents say, "That's exactly what she looked like."

And that's really what you're investing in.

Not just photographs.

A pause button.

Because even while you're living through those newborn days, you don't realize how quickly those tiny details change.

What If It's Just Not in the Budget?

Can I tell you something a lot of parents don't know?

Many newborn photographers (myself included) occasionally offer model calls.

Whenever I buy a new wrap, prop, outfit, or backdrop, I like to photograph it before I ever use it in a paid session. Sometimes the colors look completely different under my studio lights than they did online. Other times I have an idea in my head that just doesn't work the way I imagined, and I'd much rather figure that out before a paying family walks through my door.

That's where model calls come in.

So if newborn photography is something you've always wanted but finances are the only thing holding you back, don't be afraid to ask photographers if they have any model opportunities coming up. The worst they can say is, "Not right now."

And if you happen to be local to me, you're always welcome to ask. I can't promise I'll have one available, but I'm happy to keep you in mind when the next opportunity comes along.

❤️ Jen's Two Cents If you only remember one thing from this blog, let it be this... Take the pictures. Professional session or not, don't wait until the house is clean, you've brushed your hair, or life feels less chaotic. Your baby won't remember any of that. They'll just be glad you were in the frame.

So... What's the Next Question?

If you've decided professional newborn photography might be something you want, the next question I usually hear is:

"Okay... but how do I choose the right newborn photographer?"

That's exactly what we'll talk about in the next blog, because not every photographer is the right fit for every family—and that's okay.

Key Takeaways

📸 Take all the everyday phone pictures. They tell your family's story in a way no one else can.
❤️ Professional newborn photography isn't a replacement for DIY photos—it's a way to preserve a fleeting season from a different perspective.
👶 Newborn photography is a specialized craft that takes years of education, safety training, and experience.
💰 If budget is a concern, don't be afraid to ask photographers about model calls.
🤍 The best memories often come from having both: the candid moments you captured and the timeless portraits someone else created.