Let me start by saying—I don’t usually feel the need to justify what photographers charge. Whether it’s for a wedding, newborn shoot or even a Christmas Mini session, photography is a professional service, just like many others - think lawyers, plumbers, graphic designers, electricians, therapists, or private tutors - they all come with their own set of costs, responsibilities, and expertise.
So let's take an honest look at some of the things that actually go into creating those heart-melting baby portraits.
Let’s Be Real: Photography is a Luxury
Newborn photography isn’t essential - you don’t need a large, framed print of your baby hanging above the fireplace. But would you want one? Absolutely! These days, most of us have smartphones that take decent photos, and photography is more accessible than ever - so yes, you can definitely take your own pictures, and many parents do. Just keep in mind that while phone cameras are great for everyday moments, they often fall short in quality when it comes to printing larger than A4, especially if you're after that beautiful, professional finish.
The Awkward Truth About Pricing
Photographers often shy away from talking about money - pricing is one of the biggest challenges in our industry. It’s incredibly common for photographers to undercharge, and many never price their work in line with the true value they provide. But why shouldn’t we be able to earn a fair living, just like anyone else? We’re capturing once-in-a-lifetime memories - moments that families will cherish forever. How do you even begin to put a price on that?
And let’s be honest - when a professional photographer shares their pricing, the immediate reaction is often, “It’s just a digital image - it costs nothing!” or “Why so much for simply clicking a button?”
But the truth is, we’re not just clicking a button. And those digital images? They absolutely do cost us - time, training, equipment, software, editing hours, and the care that goes into every single shot.
Every session demands time, care, and a deep personal investment. Each family who walks through our doors is treated with warmth and respect, and every image we deliver reflects years of training, dedication, and thousands of pounds spent perfecting our craft.
What You Don’t See in The Session/Package Fee
Let’s pull back the curtain and dive in a bit deeper into the figures
💼 Equipment
- Professional camera: £1,000+ (My camera body alone was £1,800 when purchased)
- Lenses (yes, plural): £200–£2,000+ each! (The lens I mainly use is actually more than my camera body at £2,200)
- Lighting: £150+ (My recent new lighting system cost me £420)
- Servicing, repairs, replacement bulbs? Ongoing.
🏠 Studio + Overheads
Rent, electricity, heating, insurance (equipment, income, content/building, public liability - you name it), and safety standards, business council rates, studio upkeep, cleaning, drinks/snack replenishment, washing the clothing/backdrops/wraps... The list goes on!
🌐 Website + Marketing
- Website design: £400+
- Updating website: £45+ per edit
- Hosting + maintenance: £60/month
- Advertising (Facebook, SEO, PPC, print): £400+/month
🧑💻 Software
- Photoshop + Lightroom: £45+/ month
- Monitor calibration: £60+
- Booking systems, accountancy fees, editing tools, database software: more monthly costs.
📦 Props
The stuff you see in your gallery - those delicate headbands, the large wooden bowls, blankets, baskets - it all costs money, and it doesn’t last forever. Quite often I'm replacing a headband, outfit or basket due to wear and tear.
- Outfits: £20+ each
- Headbands: £5+ each
- Backdrops: Fabric ones £65+ each, large paper rolls £85+ per roll
- High-end Props: £80+ each
📚 Training + EDUCATION
We don’t wake up knowing how to pose a baby safely or light a portrait perfectly. Ongoing education is a must - and it's expensive: training days, professional memberships, safety courses...
And Then There’s OUR Time...
Let’s not forget the actual time spent on you, the client:
- Pre-shoot communication, sending contacts, arrange session dates/times: 1 hour
- Session prep: 1–2 hours
- Session itself: 3 hours
- Studio setup & clean up: 2 hours
- Photo selection: 1 hour
- Editing: 4–8 hours
- Gallery setup: 1 hour
- Product prep - give every image the once over before it's printed on that large framed print : 1+ hours
That’s around 16+ hours of work for one single newborn session - so for example, if we’re charging £400 for the session (which includes digital images and/or products too), that breaks down to £25 an hour. And that’s before we even factor in the time spent on, marketing, social media, networking, training, and all the rest of the behind-the-scenes work that keeps a business running. When you take into account all the expenses and time invested, many photographers are effectively on minimum wage or less!
Is pressing a button really free?
Absolutely not! Because every click of that button is years of perfecting our skills, thousands in equipment, hours of our time, hard-earned experience, our creative vision - and a whole lot of love for what we do.
So... There you have it... If you’ve ever wondered or questioned where your money goes in a newborn photography session, I hope this gives you a little insight. And if you're one of the families who has trusted me to capture these fleeting moments - I can't thank you enough. You’re not just paying for photos. You’re investing in art, in a memory, in raw emotion - and in someone who takes that responsibility very seriously and loves every minute of it! Thank you :) xx
