Bumps, babies, and beyond: Meet Claire of Robin and Rose Photography

Behind the Brand is a celebration of the amazing people behind the businesses I work with—exploring their creative inspiration, daily challenges, proudest moments, and the values that shape their work.

This time, I chatted with Claire, the photographer behind Robin & Rose. From building her dream studio to the realities of work-life balance (and the occasional chaos of working with babies and animals!), Claire shared the ups and downs of her creative journey.

You can see more of the brand stationery I created for Claire by visiting my portfolio.

Claire, can you tell us a bit about your photography studio and the types of portraits you specialise in?

My photos studio is based in a little village called Kirk Deighton in North Yorkshire. It’s a beautiful, bright and open space with neutral decor, designed to create a calming and relaxed atmosphere. I specialise in maternity, newborn and family photography, capturing those special moments in a natural and timeless style, and producing photos that are not only beautiful but meaningful too.

What first drew you to photography, and how did you turn your passion into a business?

I’ve always loved anything creative, but it was only after doing a work experience placement at a photo studio when I was at school that I really developed an interest in photography. This continued through college, and I went on to study photography at university. After graduating I initially set up my business photographing weddings, which I did alongside a 9-5 office job for a few years. I loved being a part of such a happy occasion and capturing those special moments that can be looked back on for years to come.

Fast forward nearly 10 years and after having my daughter my focus switched to newborn and family photography. Nothing can quite prepare you for how fast time goes after having children and it felt more important than ever to freeze those moments in time. I worked many hours around my daughter during her nap times and on evenings to set up my new business. I did workshops with other photographers and online courses to develop my skills in this area. I put out model calls to build up my portfolio and gradually the business went from strength to strength.

You capture everything from maternity to family milestones, so you get to see families grow as they return year after year. What’s it like documenting those moments and watching their stories unfold?

I feel so privileged that I get to document families as they grow. It’s so special being able to capture from bump to baby and beyond. Seeing their little ones grow and documenting them year after year just re-enforces how important family photos are. Not just for us to look back on but for our children too.

“One thing I always tell my clients before a session is… Wear something that makes you feel good! If you feel comfortable and happy in what you are wearing you will feel more confident and it will show in the photos.”

What does a typical day look like for you, whether in your lovely studio or on location? Do you have any rituals to get inspired before a shoot?

My day can vary but if it’s a shoot day I drive to the studio after dropping my daughter at school to prepare for my clients arriving. I make sure it’s nice and warm and cosy and light candles to get the studio smelling lovely and create a welcoming atmosphere. Newborn shoots can last up to three hours so by the time I get back home there is just enough time to import, cull and back up photos before going to pick up my daughter.

Editing days are spent working from home and with lots of time at the screen I try and get out for a walk at some point or break up the screen time with a bit of housework!

Your photography always looks so calm and natural, but I imagine working with babies and children can be unpredictable! How do you help families feel relaxed and comfortable during a session?

I like to think I have quite a calming and laid-back personality. I’m always reassuring clients that we have plenty of time and there is no rush if a baby is unsettled or if a toddler takes a bit of time to warm up to the idea of being in the photos. Patience is definitely key, but also making sure the shoots are baby/child led and not putting any pressure on them. I do also try and prep my clients beforehand, especially if they are bringing a toddler to a shoot, and even have a little blog post to send them with a few tips to help prepare for their shoot.

Running a creative business can come with so many challenges. What’s been one of your biggest obstacles, and how have you overcome it, or adapted your approach, over time?

Running your own business means it’s hard to switch off, so it can be a struggle to find that work/life balance. This was especially hard for me at first because I didn’t have as much time to work on my business before my daughter started school. It’s also hard to say no to work because it’s your income so burnout can be a problem too. Now that I do have more time for my business, and I’ve also become a lot better at managing my workload and not taking on too much, my work/life balance has become a lot better.

This or that?

In the studio or on-location?

Early bird or night owl?

Biscuit or cake?

Adventure or relaxation?

City or country?

Sunrise or sunset?

Handmade or store-bought?

Night in or night out?

Coffee or tea?

Podcast or playlist?

And on the flip side, what’s been your proudest moment so far?

My proudest moment so far has to be getting my dream photo studio. When I first started out I was just working from a little pop up studio in my home, that I had to set up and take down for each shoot. Building my business up enough to be in a position to invest in a studio was a really big step for me, and one that I feel has definitely enhanced my work and my clients' experience.

What’s one of the most memorable behind-the-scenes moments you’ve had during a shoot?

I had a newborn projectile vomit all over me once while I was rocking her to sleep! I also had a dog who came along to a family shoot who decided to wee on one of my plant pots!

You chose letterpress for your brand stationery—what drew you to this traditional printing method, and what do you feel it brings to your brand?

Letterpress stationery has that look of luxury and quality which is what I wanted for my brand. I also wanted something that matched my photography style of being timeless, simple and beautiful.

For someone just starting out in family photography, what advice would you give them?

Put out lots of model calls to practice on and build up your portfolio. Also invest in education. I don’t believe I would be where I am today if it wasn’t for investing in the workshops and courses I did with other photographers. It can feel daunting spending the money when you are just starting out but for me it was 100% worth it, even if it meant I wasn’t able to pay myself anything for those first months starting out.

What’s next for you and your photography studio? Any exciting projects or plans on the horizon?

Next month I have a branding videographer coming to the studio to help me showcase my brand and capture some footage during a newborn shoot which is exciting. I’ve also got a couple of workshops that I’m going to this year with other photographers because I think it’s so important to keep learning and trying new things.

And finally, if people want to see more of your beautiful portraits, where can they find you online?

My website is www.robinandrosephotography.co.uk or you can find me on Instagram @robinandrosephoto.