Fine Art newborn photographers in Sussex

Why We Professionally Edit Every Baby & Maternity Portrait

A newborn with a headband lies peacefully on a small wooden bed covered with a textured blanket, embodying serenity. Nearby, a plush toy dog rests by the babys feet, completing this timeless scene poised to inspire in 2025.

Why We Carefully Edit Every Image Before You See It

When you book a newborn, baby or maternity portrait session, you’re not just investing in a few photographs — you’re investing in memories that will last for decades. Long after your little one has grown up, these pictures will be treasured reminders of who they were right at the beginning — and how you felt during those early days.

That’s why, at Baby Shoots, every single final image we show you is individually edited and retouched by hand. We don’t batch-process or rush through this stage. The editing process is just as important as the photoshoot itself — and in most cases, it actually takes much longer than the session itself!

Our goal is simple: beautiful, timeless portraits that look real and natural — never artificial or overly retouched.

Why Editing is So Important in Baby Photography

Newborn and baby skin can change by the minute. It’s perfectly normal for babies to have:

  • Redness or mottling
  • Purple tones in fingers and toes
  • Jaundice or yellow tones
  • Dry or flaky patches
  • Baby acne or rashes
  • Cradle cap

High-resolution cameras exaggerate these things — far more than your eyes do. So editing allows us to create images that show your baby as you really see them: soft, peaceful and pure.

Our retouching isn’t about changing your baby — it’s about making sure the focus is on their expression, their features, and the emotion in the moment.

Our Four-Stage Editing & Retouching Process

Fine Art newborn photographers in Sussex
1. Image Selection

We carefully review the full gallery and select only the strongest, most flattering and emotionally resonant images — removing duplicates, test shots, and anything not quite perfect.

2. Colour & Exposure Correction

We adjust:

  • Brightness & contrast
  • Colour tones
  • Composition & crop

This ensures every image begins with a beautifully balanced foundation.

3. Natural Skin Retouching

This is where our specialist experience really shows. We gently minimise temporary skin issues such as:

  • Blemishes, rashes & acne
  • Flakiness or dryness
  • Scratches & redness

But we always retain natural skin texture. We do NOT blur, smooth, or “plastic-ise” skin. Your baby will look real, soft and natural — never airbrushed.

Permanent features such as birthmarks are left as they are, unless you specifically request otherwise.

4. Artistic Finishing Touches

Finally, we refine the overall look and feel — adding subtle warmth, gentle contrast, soft vignettes or black & white conversions if suited.

Every image is finished with care and purpose — never just a one-click preset.

Editing for Maternity Portraits & New Mums

A pregnant woman with long curly hair in a cream-colored dress, gently holding her belly, captures the essence of Sussex maternity portraits as she stands gracefully against a plain background.

We know that being photographed either late in pregnancy or shortly after giving birth can feel a little daunting. Your body has just done something incredible — but you may not feel like your usual self quite yet.

Our approach is always:

gentle, flattering and real.

During the session, we guide you into shapes and angles that naturally flatter:

  • Shoulders relaxed
  • Hands placed gracefully
  • Curves highlighted softly
  • Body positioning that lengthens and shapes

But the editing stage helps refine the final polish.

Subtle Retouching for a Confidence Boost

Pregnant woman in black underwear poses in profile against a dark background, one hand on her hip and the other on her head. A fetus illustration is visible on her belly.

We routinely provide:

  • Softening of under-eye tiredness (because… well, newborn life!)
  • Evening out skin tone and texture
  • Minimising temporary marks from pregnancy or hospital
  • Gentle shaping where clothing, slouching or angles may be less flattering

This may include very subtle “nip & tuck” shaping (the digital kind — nothing drastic), only where natural and appropriate. The aim is not to change you — but to help you look like your best, most comfortable self.

You’ll still look like you.
Just the version of you that feels confidently you.

We Retouch With Care, Time, and Love

Fine art children's portrait photographers in Sussex

This part of the process matters — deeply.
And yes — it takes time.
Usually, way more time than the shoot itself.

But these images aren’t just for today or next week.

These are the photographs that will be in frames, albums, memory boxes and family homes 20+ years from now.

So we don’t rush.
We do it properly.

A Natural Look — Always

We believe in portraits that age beautifully.
No trends. No filters. No artificial skin.

Just soft, warm, real moments — preserved forever.

Booking a Session

If you’d like to chat about a newborn, baby or maternity session — or to see more examples of natural editing — you’re always welcome to get in touch.

Baby Photography in Crawley, West Sussex
We welcome families from Crawley, Horsham, Haywards Heath, Reigate, East Grinstead and across West Sussex & Surrey. Our friendly studio is designed with little ones in mind, making your session calm, relaxed and enjoyable from start to finish.

Visit us at: www.babyshoots.com
or message us anytime — we’re friendly, relaxed and happy to help.