5 Brilliant Ways Softproofing Will Revolutionize Your Newborn Photography

Picture this: It’s 2018, and I’m sitting at my computer at 2 AM, bleary-eyed and exhausted, trying to perfect the 60th image from a newborn session. With 2 toddlers and a brand new baby at home, I knew this wasn’t sustainable. I was drowning in editing, meticulously retouching 60-80 images for every single session, desperately trying to make my business work while not charging nearly enough for my time.

Everything changed in 2019 when I took Gaby Chung’s IPS course and discovered softproofing. I’ll be honest – I was skeptical at first. How could I show clients un-retouched images? Wouldn’t they run for the hills if they saw what photos really look like straight out of camera?

But I was completely wrong. Not only did clients start spending more, they finally understood the value of professional retouching. They saw firsthand the transformation from a good image to an exceptional one. Suddenly, fewer people were asking for RAW files, and they understood why each finished image commanded a premium price. If you’re where I was – overwhelmed, undercharging, and wondering if there’s a better way – keep reading, because this might be exactly what you need.

Paige McLeod, newborn photographer and Flow and Format co-owner, reviewing client images at her editing desk during a softproofing session

What is Softproofing in Newborn Photography?

Okay, let’s break this down super simple: Instead of spending hours retouching every single image from a session, you show clients their images with just basic editing (think good exposure and color). Then, they pick their favorites, and those are the ones you work your retouching magic on. That’s it!

1. Say Goodbye to Endless Editing

Remember that time you spent three hours perfecting a image only to have your client pick a different one? Yeah, those days are over. Here’s what happened when I switched to softproofing:

  • I stopped editing images nobody was going to buy
  • My clients got their previews WAY faster
  • I actually had time to, you know, have a life
  • No more editing burnout (hallelujah!)

2. How Softproofing Could Double (or even Triple) Your Newborn Photography Profits

Let’s talk about the real impact on your bottom line. As newborn photographers, we know our work is valuable – but are we maximizing our earning potential with every single session?

Here’s a real-world example that changed how I think about my time:

Client A books a newborn session and spends $2,400. From the first inquiry email to product delivery, I spend 20 hours on their session. This includes:

  • Email communication
  • Session prep
  • The shoot itself
  • Culling and editing ALL the images
  • Design time
  • Order fulfillment

That breaks down to $120/hr (and of course doesn’t include any overhead costs like your software, camera, studio rent, etc). Now, Client B also spends $2,400, but thanks to softproofing, I only spend 10 hours total on their session because:

  • I’m only retouching the images they actually purchase
  • The selection process is streamlined
  • I’m not second-guessing which images to edit

That’s $240 per hour – literally double the profit for the same amazing client experience. Think about that – same beautiful images, same happy clients, same pricing… but twice the profit. This isn’t about charging more or cutting corners. It’s about working smarter and maximizing the value of every hour you spend on your business.

psst….Want to know a few more ways to save time and therefore increase your profits? Check out this post Gill just wrote about creating a repeatable workflow!

3. Your Clients Will Love You Even More

I know what you’re thinking – “Won’t clients hate seeing unretouched images?” Plot twist: They actually love it! Here’s why:

  • They get to see their gallery in days instead of weeks (and actually for my luxury sessions I do a same day reveal so they literally see them in minutes)
  • They feel like they’re part of the process
  • When they see the final retouched images, they’re blown away by the difference
  • The excitement stays high because they’re not waiting forever

4. Book More Sessions (Without Losing Your Mind)

This is where it gets really good. When you’re not spending every waking moment editing, you can actually take on more clients! I’m talking:

  • Opening up more session slots
  • Making more money without raising your prices
  • Actually having time for your family (shocking, I know)
  • Maybe even taking a vacation?

5. Run a Business That Actually Works

Here’s the truth – softproofing transformed how I run my business on every level. Instead of guessing how many hours I’ll spend editing each session, I know exactly how much time I need based on my clients’ purchases. This predictability has revolutionized my profit margins because I can accurately forecast my time investment for every session. Pricing became crystal clear once I could see exactly how much time I was spending on each client, and the best part? My clients are happier than ever. They love the process, understand the value, and eagerly refer their friends. – and there’s nothing better for business than word-of-mouth from delighted clients who truly understand your value.

My Step-by-Step Softproofing System for Newborn Photography

Want to try this out? Here’s my exact process:

  1. Cull down to the best 60-80 images
  2. Quick editing pass for exposure
  3. Meet with clients clients for choosing their faves (and there’s no reason you couldn’t also do this in an online gallery if you don’t want to do in person sales!)
  4. Work my retouching magic on just the chosen ones
  5. Deliver gorgeous, fully-retouched images within a week

Pro Tips for Implementing Softproofing in Your Newborn Photography Business

Listen, if you’re going to try this (and you totally should), here’s what I’ve learned:

  • Tell your clients exactly how this works upfront
  • Be super clear about what “softproofed” vs “final” editing means
  • If you’re nervous about it, show the client 1 example image that’s fully retouched. This way they can see the differences between the final version and the softproofed version and start to imagine the other images finished as well.

*One thing that I’ve really noticed over the years is that clients can see past a lot of editing things but its really hard for them to see past the exposure. If it’s too dark they’ll dismiss the image even if I know that it will be fine once it’s all cleaned up. I don’t worry too much about color but I definitely do a quick pass for exposure.

Side-by-side comparison of newborn and mother portrait: before image shows yellow color cast, after image reveals clean, natural whites after professional editing

Let’s Wrap This Up

Look, I get it – change is scary. But trust me on this one. Softproofing has literally transformed how I run my business, and I’m not going back. It’s made my life easier, my clients happier, and my business more profitable. Win-win-win!

Ready to transform other parts of your photography business too? Flow and Format offers resources to help you streamline your client experience from start to finish. From email templates that save you hours of typing to marketing materials that help you communicate your value, we’ve got what you need to run a more efficient, profitable studio.

Check out our complete collection of templates and workflows designed specifically for newborn photographers. Because let’s be honest – you became a photographer to create beautiful images, not to spend hours drafting emails and creating marketing materials.

Browse Our Templates →

PS – Remember, small changes lead to big results. Start with one area of your business you want to improve, and build from there. Your future self will thank you!

January 20, 2025

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