When business slows down after a record year, the instinct for a lot of photographers is to panic and drop prices. Danielle Hobbs, newborn photographer and July’s featured TMA mentor, has a different take. After twenty years and multiple cross country moves as a military family, she has learned that steady growth, smart pricing, and a calm presence in the studio matter far more than chasing quick wins. In this episode, Danielle shares her best newborn photography tips along with hard-won wisdom on pricing, slow seasons, and building a business that lasts.
Pricing Wisely in a Slower Season
Danielle is honest about the current state of her business. It is steady, but slower than last year, which she says was her best year yet. Rather than reacting to a quieter season by slashing prices, she encourages photographers to look for creative ways to adjust without devaluing their work. She points out that a small price cut, say a hundred dollars, will not open up a new market. It just leaves you doing the same work for less. If pricing needs to shift, she believes it needs to shift meaningfully, and even then only as a last resort.
One strategy she uses instead is offering a smaller entry point collection. Clients who feel priced out can book at a lower tier, see their gallery, and often choose to upgrade once they fall in love with the images. Danielle also keeps a quiet backup option, something she calls her secret menu, for clients who reach out but say the investment is not in their budget right now. It gives her a way to say yes without ever advertising a discount or lowering her baseline pricing across the board.
Newborn Photography Tips from the Session Itself
Danielle’s approach to a newborn session is refreshingly unhurried. She sets up her beanbag and heaters before the family arrives, lets mom get hair and makeup done while she starts with baby, and gives toddlers time to warm up to the space on their own terms. Rather than forcing every sibling into a posed shot, she captures the real, in-between moments of curiosity and connection. Those, she says, tend to be the sweetest images of all.
When it comes to what actually matters during the shoot, Danielle believes lighting matters more than posing. She would rather chase a stretch, a yawn, or a flash of eye contact than fight to hold a baby in a perfect position. And when a newborn gets fussy or hungry, she does not rush the feed. “We’re on baby’s time. This is not rushed,” she explains, noting that a full feed now saves an hour of struggle later. That patience, paired with quiet confidence, is often what clients remember most. As Danielle puts it, her favorite compliment is when a nervous dad walks away saying it was not so bad after all.
Building a Business That Lasts
Danielle’s twenty year career was not an overnight success. For the first decade, she was a part time photographer, a military spouse, and a mom to three boys, often starting over with each new duty station. She is candid that the growth photographers can see today, in year one or two, took her far longer to build without the resources and mentorship now available through communities like TMA. Her advice for anyone starting over, whether by choice or circumstance, is to hustle on the fundamentals: an updated website, consistent blogging, and showing up on social media, even when it feels repetitive.
She also credits community for a lot of her staying power. Networking groups and local photographer meetups gave her referrals and friendships that carried her through multiple moves. It is a reminder that photographers do not have to figure everything out alone. Access to mentors, real behind the scenes education, and a group of people who understand the ups and downs of running a photography business can shorten the learning curve considerably, something Danielle says she wishes she had earlier in her career.
Listen and Learn More
A sustainable photography business is built slowly, session by session, season by season. Danielle’s willingness to protect her pricing, stay calm under pressure, and keep showing up is exactly the kind of steady, real world wisdom TMA loves to share, and this episode is worth a listen for photographers at any stage of their journey.
Find Danielle Hobbs at daniellehobbsphotography.com or on Instagram at @daniellehobbsphotography.
Ready to build a business that reflects your own creative voice? The Motherhood Anthology membership gives you access to expert mentors, live coaching, monthly marketing suites, and a private community of photographers who are invested in your success. Learn more and join at themotherhoodanthology.com.
The Motherhood Anthology is a community and educational resource for photographers who want a profitable and sustainable business they love. With 15+ expert mentors and 7+ years of proven content, TMA helps portrait photographers build confident, thriving businesses through monthly education, mentorship, and a supportive community of 700+ members.
