Creating my own newborn photography studio has been one of my most rewarding and personal projects. What began as a vision before I even launched my business is now a space that welcomes families, holds so many sweet memories, and reflects everything I love about photographing newborns.
In this post, I’m taking you behind the scenes of how I built my dream newborn photography studio in my spare room. No interior designer, no big budget, just lots of planning, DIY touches, and just a touch of delusion!
Why I Wanted a Dedicated Newborn Photography Studio
When I first started my business, I was photographing babies in client homes and makeshift spaces. While there’s a certain intimacy to that, I always dreamed of creating a space that was entirely mine where I could control the light, the colours, the textures, and the overall experience for my families. A studio that felt warm, calm and curated. Somewhere that felt like an extension of my brand.
I wanted it to be more than just a room with a backdrop. I wanted a full newborn photography studio setup with easy parking, a place for siblings to play, gentle lighting, and thoughtful styling. Somewhere parents could walk in, take a breath, and feel instantly at ease.
Planning the Space
The first step was figuring out what I needed the space to do and how much space I was actually working with. Since newborn sessions are slow and baby-led, I knew I needed:
- Room for a posing area and a beanbag setup
- A comfortable space for parents to sit and relax
- Storage for wraps and my client wardrobe
- Controlled lighting for consistency
All of this in my 2.94m x 2.65m spare bedroom that was looking a bit like a junk yard at this point, this is where the delusion comes in handy because I had a vision and I was going to make it happen no matter what! Oh and did I mention it needs to be easily removable?
I knew I wanted my newborn photography studio to feel fresh and soft, with white and neutral tones throughout and warm wooden flooring for contrast. The hero of the room would be an accent wall with wainscoting, something timeless that could double as a backdrop.
For the walls, I chose Dulux Vivid White to reflect as much light as possible and keep the space feeling open and calm. To help diffuse the light evenly, I installed the VIGDA two track curtain rail from IKEA with three sets of HÄLLEBRÄCKA sheer curtains. This helps soften the light while keeping everything consistent and flattering.
When it came to flooring, I wanted something beautiful but also practical and removable. I found the perfect solution at Bunnings: Floor Select Laminate in Spotted Gum. It has the perfect warm tone and texture to complement the rest of the space. We cut it to size and laid it directly over the carpet. It completely transformed the feel of the room and photographs beautifully.
Creating the DIY Wainscoting Wall
One of the biggest features in the studio is the wainscoting wall. I knew I wanted to add a touch of timeless charm and texture to the space without overwhelming it. Wainscoting dates back to the 16th century so it really spoke to my period drama loving heart.
Now came the hard part: maths. The bane of my existence throughout high school had come back to haunt me, but I don’t scare easily.
The first step was to decide how many panels I wanted on the wall. I did a few rough mock ups with tape and settled on four sets split into two frames. To calculate the size of each frame, I measured the wall, subtracted the space I would need between each panel, and divided that number by four for the width. To calculate the height, I measured from 100mm below the ceiling to just under the existing powerpoint, then subtracted 100mm to allow for space between the top and bottom frames. Et voila. Simple. In reality, this took me an embarrassingly long time to work out.
This called for another trip to bunnings where I selected 30x12mm 2.4m Pine Panel Mould and began the daunting task of cutting and assembling the frames. I used our trusty mitre saw to cut each piece to size, trimming the ends at 45 degrees so they would fit together neatly. I secured them with wood glue and brad nails, then filled any gaps, primed them, and gave everything a fresh coat of Dulux Vivid White to match the walls.
Lighting the Studio
While I love natural light, my studio is actually lit with soft artificial light, diffused through layers of ceiling to floor curtains. When you are working with an existing space where you can’t make structural changes, you need to get a bit creative. The window in my studio doesn’t go all the way to the floor, so I had to come up with a solution to mimic that soft, full length light source without compromising the small space I was working with.
Bunnings came to the rescue once again. I picked up 4 of these LED light panels to to create the illusion of a floor to ceiling window and the curtains help blend everything seamlessly! This setup gives me total control no matter the time of day or season, and it helps keep sessions running smoothly.
Styling my Newborn Photography Studio
Now for the fun part, the finishing touches that really bring the space to life. I added a simple faux olive tree and a beautiful arched wall mirror that I found at, you guessed it, Bunnings. I placed it opposite the wainscotting to help bounce light and create the illusion of more space. For seating, I needed something that felt timeless and cozy but was still small enough to move around the studio easily. I found the perfect solution with two white boucle accent chairs from Temple and Webster. They’re functional, stylish, and just the right scale for the room.
What Makes This Studio Work for Newborn Photography
A good newborn photography studio needs more than just a cute setup. It needs to function for families:
- There’s a change table, nappies, bottle warmer and wipes ready to go
- A place for siblings to play
- Snacks and drinks
- A calm, clutter-free design that helps everyone relax
Everything is designed to support the baby’s needs and make parents feel taken care of.
Why This Newborn Photography Studio Means So Much
Building my newborn photography studio was not about perfection, it was about creating a space that feels like home. It’s where I get to do the work I love, welcome the families I adore, and freeze time in the most meaningful way.
If you’re dreaming of creating your own newborn photography studio, know that it doesn’t have to be huge. It just has to feel like you.
If you’re a new or expecting mum in Sydney looking for heartfelt, natural newborn portraits in a calm and welcoming space, I’d be honoured to welcome you here. Get in touch to book your session!
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