SEO Foundations for Newborn Photographers

As photographers, we spend so much time refining our images that it’s easy to overlook something just as important: how our work is found.

This month inside APNPI, we’re placing intentional focus on SEO foundations. Not trends. Not hacks. Just the core building blocks that help the right clients find you, understand what you offer, and feel confident reaching out.

Strong SEO doesn’t start with keywords or content calendars.
It starts with clarity.

Introducing the Essential SEO Foundations Checklist

As part of this month’s focus, we’ve released a new Essential SEO Foundations Checklist, designed specifically for newborn photographers.

This printable guide walks you through the most important on-page and meta-level elements of SEO, helping you strengthen your website without overwhelm or technical complexity.

The checklist supports photographers at any stage of business, whether:

• You’re refining an existing website

• You’re feeling unsure if your SEO is set up correctly

• Or you’re giving your site a thoughtful refresh for the year ahead

Each step is practical, intentional, and grounded in long-term best practices.

Working Through SEO Together, One Week at a Time

Rather than tackling everything at once, we’re working through these SEO foundations together over the course of four weeks inside APNPI.

Each week focuses on a specific area of SEO clarity, giving members the space to:

• Understand what matters and why

• Make small, meaningful improvements

• Build confidence without feeling rushed or overwhelmed

This paced approach allows photographers to apply what they’re learning thoughtfully, knowing they’re building something solid step by step.

A Thoughtful, Supportive Approach to SEO

This focus is not about chasing algorithms or trying to “game” search engines.

Instead, we’re concentrating on:

• Website clarity and structure

• Meta information that accurately reflects your work

• Pages that are easy to understand for both clients and search engines

Small improvements in these areas can make a meaningful difference over time.

Inside APNPI, this work is supported with guidance and context so members understand why each step matters, not just what to change.

Available Now Inside APNPI

The Essential SEO Foundations Checklist and supporting guidance are available now as part of our January SEO Foundations focus inside the APNPI member portal.

This work is designed to feel supportive, manageable, and confidence-building. You don’t need to do everything at once. One clear step at a time is enough.

SEO is not about perfection.
It’s about alignment, clarity, and building a foundation that supports the business you’re growing.

Not a Member Yet?

The January SEO Foundations focus, including the Essential SEO Foundations Checklist and guided weekly support, is available inside APNPI.

If you’re a newborn photographer looking for structured education, supportive guidance, and a clear path forward, APNPI membership gives you access to ongoing learning designed to help you grow with confidence.

Learn more about joining APNPI 

Meet the APNPI Judges: Leaders in Maternity, Newborn, and Family Photography!

As the next round of APNPI Accreditation approaches, we’re thrilled to introduce our highly qualified APNPI Judges! These industry leaders have completed APNPI Judges Training and are recognized experts across diverse styles and genres in maternity, newborn, and family photography.

Accreditation Applications Are Now Open!
If you’re a QNP Certified member, this is your chance to take your career to the next level. Apply for accreditation in one of our 12 categories to showcase your expertise and elevate your professional standing.

Looking for Submission Tips and Feedback?
Join our popular Feedback Friday sessions! Held in our membership community on Facebook, these sessions offer personalized critiques of image submissions from our APNPI Judges. This valuable experience helps you refine your submission, ensuring it meets accreditation standards. It’s also a fantastic way to get comfortable with image critiques before the final submission deadline. Stay updated on our Facebook group for session announcements.

Accreditation is a key step toward building your reputation in the photography industry. Don’t miss this opportunity to submit your best work, gain recognition, and receive expert guidance from our prestigious judging panel.

We can’t wait to see your submissions and celebrate your achievements!

Jackie Orlando

“I’m looking for strong technical skills, meaningful emotional impact, and uniqueness. I love images that are free from distracting elements or technical issues that may draw the eye away from the baby.

Most importantly, I want to help support photographers in learning, growing, and gaining confidence, and to be recognized for their hard work.“

Jackie is known for her artistic, minimalist approach to photographing newborns. Her simple, yet impactful images embrace babies’ natural movements and expressions, and incorporate gentle, baby-led posing without props.

This intentional blend of styles results in galleries that highlight love, connection, and authentic moments with an artistic touch.

As an APNPI Ambassador with accreditations in the “Unposed Newborn” and “Sitter” categories, Jackie has earned multiple distinctions and awards in Image Competitions, and is honored to have her photography featured in multiple publications.

Soon to be an APNPI Educator, she is passionate about helping photographers create meaningful art that honors the beauty of real moments while building trust through a calm, baby-first approach.

Jennifer McNeil

“When reviewing submissions, I’m first drawn to images that create an immediate emotional connection or clearly tell a story. I look for intention in posing—work that feels natural, safe, and purposeful rather than forced. Strong, flattering lighting that enhances the subject without distracting from it is essential. Overall, I’m seeking images where technical skill supports the emotion, allowing the photograph to feel both beautiful and meaningful.”

Jennifer McNeil is an award-winning newborn photographer, APNPI Educator, and APNPI Ambassador based in Orange County, California. With experience photographing over 4,000 newborns, her work is deeply rooted in newborn safety, ethical practices, and thoughtful artistry. Jennifer regularly volunteers in the NICU, providing holiday portraits for hospitalized babies and their families—work that reflects her heart for service and advocacy within the newborn community.

As both an educator and working professional, Jennifer brings real-world experience into her teaching, blending technical skill with compassion, intention, and a strong foundation in safety. When she’s not teaching or photographing, she enjoys traveling with her family and getting creative through crafting—always inspired by storytelling, connection, and the fleeting beauty of early life.

Lisa Digeso

“Safety is paramount – Excellence in lighting, posing, consistent skin tones.”

Lisa DiGeso is a Photographer at Milk & Honey Photography in Kamloops BC, and the co-founder of The Milky Way, a photography education platform offering online courses, retreats, and resources for portrait and newborn photographers. She’s well-known in the photography community for her approachable teaching style and her emphasis on balancing business with creativity and personal well-being. Lisa helps photographers improve their technical skills while also focusing on the emotional and business aspects of creative work.

She teaches everything from posing newborns safely to the ins and outs of running a sustainable photography business, with a particular emphasis on mindset and self-care. Lisa also hosts The Art & Soul Show, a podcast where she interviews photographers and entrepreneurs, sharing stories of personal growth, creativity, and business lessons. Her mission is to help photographers build fulfilling careers without sacrificing their well-being.

Lisa’s warm and candid style, along with her experience in both the creative and business sides of photography, has made her a beloved figure among creatives looking to find balance and joy in their work.

Kayleigh Ashworth

Kayleigh Ashworth is an APNPI accredited, multi-award winning artist, recognized as one the best Maternity and Newborn Photographers in the Inland Empire; and operates a successful portrait studio located within the heart of Downtown Murrieta, in Southern California. Established in 2015, Kayleigh Ashworth Photography has helped countless women hone in on their artists skills, foster confidence in working with newborns, emphasizing safety above all, and maximize business goals.

Kayleigh and her work have been featured on the comedy series ‘The Try Guys’, featured on CBS8 San Diego News, and has had a televised interview with Intuit Quickbooks featured as an inspirational story for other businesses. After years of experience serving families from all walks of life, and furthering her education with industry leaders, Kayleigh now offers 1:1 Mentoring, as well as online tutorials and Adobe Photoshop actions for those wanting to expand their knowledge. It is Kayleigh’s mission to raise the standard of Newborn Photography – in safety, quality, and performance – and empower women to thrive within their business by sharing her knowledge and experiences learned throughout her career. www.kayleighashworthphotography.com

Refresh · Refocus · Rise into 2026 with Confidence

If last year felt like a blur of editing, sessions, and late-night emails — you’re not alone. The start of a new year is the perfect time to pause, take a breath, and rebuild your studio on your terms.

Whether you’re aiming for a healthier work-life balance, more consistent bookings, better pricing — or simply want to feel grounded and clear about where you’re headed — this Business Reset Kit is here to help.

Read through, pick your action items, and get ready for a year where clarity, creativity and success go hand in hand.

Bonus: Scroll down for short video tips from APNPI educators and judges to guide you through different parts of the checklist.

What This Kit Will Do for You

• Give you a fresh, organized start — clear systems, reset workflows, tidy finances

• Help you honour what you loved last year — and let go of what drained you

• Empower you to set sustainable business and income goals without burnout

• Help you update pricing, contracts, and studio-policies confidently

• Support you in getting back in control of your schedule, stress, and creative joy

Your Newborn Photographer’s Reset Checklist

1. Clean Slate: Organize & Refresh

• Update website year (homepage, footer, anywhere outdated)

• Refresh Lightroom metadata presets to the correct year

• Create / update physical folders for receipts, invoices, client paperwork

• Set up digital filing for images, financials, bookkeeping — and archive last year’s files

• Get a new calendar (monthly planning, blog schedule, session planning, holidays, etc.)

• Update client welcome packets, contracts, templates, policies (terms, deposit info, price lists)

• Inventory your gear: list serial numbers, track what needs repair or upgrade — good for insurance too

• Choose or build a task-management system (project management, scheduling, deadlines) to streamline workflow

2. Legal & Financial Health Check

• Review all contracts and agreements — ensure legality, up-to-date language, clear client expectations

• Confirm business license / registration and any required local permits (if applicable in your region)

• Verify your business insurance is valid (liability, equipment, studio)

• Gather last year’s financials (income and expenses) — ready for taxes or bookkeeping

• Set up quarterly reminders now so finances stay manageable (avoid last-minute scramble)

• If you don’t yet have a business bank account or credit card — open one now for easier tracking

• Track any mileage or business-related expenses (e.g. travel for sessions, props, studio costs)

3. Get your bookkeeping in order:

Collect last year’s tax information to get ready for this year.  Before tax season arrives, go through and organize your expenses, receipts, and payments.  Have everything ready to go for your accountant and avoid stress in the spring.

• Plan time to keep financial and tax records up to date this year.  Schedule in time to tend to these items each quarter.  Keeping on top it will not only decrease your workload next year, but will also help you keep on track with your financial goals.
• Check on your bank accounts – if you don’t already have a business bank account and credit card, get one now.
• Expense and mileage tracking – take a photo of your car odometer to start the new year!

Bonus tip from Jennifer McNeil: Track everything all the time. (Lifesaver when tax time comes!)

7. Review & Update Your Pricing + Client Materials

• Evaluate last year’s prices against your time, skill, expenses, and desired income — is it time to raise rates?

• Update your website, price lists, contracts, and printed materials to reflect any changes

• If hiking prices, consider a soft rollout: make it effective Feb 1 or March 1, announce ahead, maybe offer “last-chance” pricing for existing clients

• Communicate changes clearly and confidently to clients — you’re valuing your artistry and time

8. Revisit Your Business Plan & Ideal Client Profile

• Who’s your ideal client in 2026? Have your target market or audience preferences shifted?

• Where did you excel last year — and where did clients feel friction? Map out what client experience felt smooth, and what needs refinement

• Outline marketing strategies for the year: social media, referral campaigns, seasonal sessions, promotions, or workshops

• Consider systems and workflows: bookings, communication, session prep, editing, delivery — streamline what you can

What’s Next — Go Deeper with APNPI

Need more than a checklist? Inside APNPI and the APNPI Academy, you’ll find:

• Detailed courses on pricing, marketing, and business-building skills in the APNPI Academy of Newborn Photography

• Mentorship, community support, and safe-posing education for newborn photographers in APNPI

• Guidance on credentials, accreditations, and professional development to help you stand out and gain trust with APNPI

If you’re ready to go beyond the checklist — build a business you’re proud of, with clarity, safety, and creative freedom — APNPI has your back.

Festive Favorites: A Collection of Holiday Photos from Our Members

The holidays are here, and we’re feeling all the festive vibes thanks to our amazing members! Each year, we look forward to showcasing their favorite holiday images, and this season’s collection is as heartwarming as ever. Come take a peek and see all the latest holiday session trends.

Grab a cup of cocoa and scroll through the gallery to soak in the inspiration. Thank you to all our members for sharing their holiday magic with us—it wouldn’t feel like the holidays without you!

Scroll down to explore this year’s gallery and learn more about each talented photographer—links to their pages are included below so you can see even more of their amazing work!

Thank you for joining us in celebrating the beautiful work of our APNPI members. We’re continually inspired by the creativity and heart poured into these sessions, and we’re proud to share their artistry with our community. Be sure to explore the photographers’ portfolios through the links provided — every image has a story waiting to be discovered.

Get to know our esteemed APNPI Newborn Photographers!

We’re really proud of our members here at APNPI.  The following gallery is an excellent example of the variety of talents we get to work with every day. 

Be sure to show them some love on their social media, and check out more of their work on their websites.

Featuring the work of APNPI Ambassador Jackie Orlando of Jackie O Photos.

Finding Your Voice in Newborn Photography: The Art of Gentle Guidance

There is something truly magical about photographing newborns. The quiet hush of the studio, the soft rhythm of tiny breaths, and the profound privilege of being trusted with a family’s earliest memories create an experience that is unlike any other genre of photography. But behind the beautiful images we see online, there is a skillset rooted in patience, observation, and a deep respect for the little humans we photograph.

One of the most valuable lessons you can learn is that newborn photography isn’t about forcing a pose. It is about guiding one.

Safety Is the Foundation

No image is worth compromising a baby’s safety. Professional newborn photographers are trained to:
• Support the head and neck at all times
• Use spotters or composites when needed
• Prioritize temperature, cleanliness, and comfort
• Make slow, thoughtful adjustments

Safety protects the baby and builds trust with the family. Trust is what brings clients back again and again.

Keep Learning, Keep Growing

Newborn photography is an evolving craft. There is always a new technique, a fresh approach, or a subtle skill waiting to be discovered. The more we learn, the more confident we become, and the more relaxed and enjoyable our sessions feel.

At APNPI, we believe in continuous growth, shared knowledge, and supporting one another in our art.
When one photographer grows, the whole community becomes stronger.

We look forward to seeing what you create next.

Be on the look out for an all new course by Jackie Orlando with the APNPI Academy in the new year!

We know you’re going to love it!

Learn More About Becoming an APNPI Member