Business Details
Award-Winning Birmingham Newborn Photographer
Shelley Barrett Photography is a premier newborn, maternity, baby, and children's photography studio based in Birmingham, Alabama. With over a decade of experience and more than 300 babies photographed, our work has been internationally published and recognized with industry awards. Our founder, Shelley Barrett, combines her background in early childhood education with specialized training in newborn safety to create a client-centered experience that prioritizes comfort, creativity, and connection. We serve families across Birmingham and surrounding communities including Mountain Brook, Homewood, Trussville, and Vestavia Hills. Our studio's philosophy centers on capturing authentic moments of joy while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and technical excellence. Shelley's unique ability to connect with children, honed through years of teaching and parenting her own four children, allows us to create timeless images that families treasure.We offer personalized sessions tailored to each family's vision, with careful attention to detail in every pose, prop selection, and final print. Our commitment to ongoing education ensures we remain at the forefront of photographic techniques and safety protocols. Clients consistently praise our ability to handle infants with exceptional care while producing gallery-quality artwork that beautifully preserves life's most precious moments. Whether documenting a maternity glow, a newborn's first days, or a child's personality-filled milestones, we strive to make every session a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Services
Newborn Photography
Maternity Photography
Baby Milestone Sessions
Children's Portraits
Family Photography
Highlights and features
- We have 10+ years of specialized experience in newborn photography
- Our team has safely photographed over 300 newborns with care
- Award-winning and internationally published portfolio
- Trained in newborn safety and certified photography techniques
- Personalized approach with customized props and session planning
What people say
Gentle and kind handling
Beautiful pictures captured
Patient and kind
Professional and talented
Baby whisperer
Services
Newborn Photography
Specialized newborn sessions capturing infants 0-3 weeks old in artistic, safe poses that highlight their delicate features and natural expressions. Our trained photographers use professional equipment and techniques to create timeless images that document this fleeting stage with authenticity and care. Sessions include multiple outfit changes and prop arrangements to reflect family style preferences.
Maternity Photography
Elegant maternity sessions celebrating the beauty of pregnancy through natural lighting and flattering compositions that emphasize the connection between mother and child. We offer both studio and outdoor options with wardrobe guidance to help expectant mothers feel confident and radiant during this special time in a comfortable, supportive environment.
Baby Milestone Sessions
Documenting developmental milestones from first smiles to first steps with customized sessions that track growth and personality development. Our photographers create cohesive visual narratives using age-appropriate props and poses that complement earlier newborn images while highlighting emerging individuality in a safe, baby-led session environment.
Children's Portraits
Creative portrait sessions for toddlers and young children that capture authentic expressions and playful personalities through interactive, unposed photography techniques. We use engaging activities and natural settings to create dynamic images that reflect each child's unique character while maintaining professional quality standards in a stress-free environment.
Family Photography
Coordinated family sessions that create cohesive generational portraits emphasizing connection and shared joy through natural compositions and lifestyle-based interactions. Our photographers guide families through relaxed posing techniques that feel authentic while maintaining technical excellence in lighting and composition to produce heirloom-quality images for display and gifting.
People
Shelley Barrett
Owner & Lead Photographer
Award-winning photographer with 10+ years specializing in newborn and children's photography. Former elementary educator with advanced training in newborn safety protocols and artistic composition. Homeschooling mother of four who brings both professional expertise and personal understanding of child development to every session.
Questions
What age range do you photograph for newborn sessions?
We specialize in newborns 0-3 weeks old, with maternity sessions available before birth and baby milestones up to one year.
How long does a typical newborn photography session last?
Sessions typically take 2-3 hours to allow time for feeding, soothing, and capturing multiple poses safely at the baby's pace.
What safety measures do you follow during sessions?
All photographers are trained in newborn safety protocols, using spotters for complex poses and maintaining constant hands-on supervision throughout sessions.
Can we bring our own props or outfits?
Yes! We welcome personal items and also offer an extensive collection of professionally maintained props and outfits for use.
How far in advance should we book our session?
We recommend booking maternity sessions during the second trimester and newborn sessions before the baby's arrival to secure preferred dates.
What if our baby is fussy during the session?
Our experienced team works patiently with each baby's temperament, taking breaks as needed to ensure comfort while still capturing beautiful images.
