Newborn Photography Mentoring & Workshops in Austin, TX
Learn newborn posing, safety, lighting, wrapping, workflow, editing, and business strategies from a photographer with 13+ years of experience and thousands of newborn sessions photographed.
Choosing the right mentor is about more than finding someone whose work you admire. It's about finding a teacher whose approach, experience, and personality align with the way you want to learn and grow. Every photographer's journey is different, and understanding what to look for can help you make the most of your investment. If you're not sure where to start, read my guide on How to Choose a Newborn Photography Mentor before exploring the mentoring and workshop options below.
For Photographers Traveling to Austin
Photographers travel from across Texas and the U.S. for hands-on newborn photography mentoring in my Austin studio. If you're coming from out of state, I’m happy to help you plan your session, recommend nearby accommodations, and make the most of your time here.
Topics Covered During Mentoring
No two photographers are at the same stage of their journey, which is why every mentoring session is tailored to your experience level and goals. Whether you want help with newborn safety, posing, wrapping, lighting, editing, or growing your business, you'll receive practical, hands-on instruction designed to help you move forward with confidence. Learn more about the process in What to Expect from Newborn Photography Mentoring in Austin, TX.
Newborn Safety
Spotting unsafe poses
Composite techniques
Safe baby handling
Reading baby cues
Posing & Workflow
Wrapping
Posing
Transitioning between poses
Working with awake babies
Troubleshooting fussy newborns
Lighting
Studio lighting
Window light
Modifier selection
Consistent exposure
Editing
Lightroom workflow
Skin retouching
Photoshop composites
Color consistency
Business & Marketing
Pricing
Website SEO
Google Business Profile
Client workflow
Pinterest marketing
Social media marketing
Full Day Mentoring
A full day of 1-on-1 mentoring with a portion of the time spent with a newborn model (or two). With my direction you will learn the proper way to pose babies safely and photograph them using studio lighting equipment. We will take a lunch break mid-session where we can look through images and critique them as well as discuss business practices and/or editing. The mentoring will be customized to what you need/want to learn. You will be invited to join a private Facebook group for on-going guidance and support. Requirements - a dslr camera with basic understanding of manual camera settings. Sessions are held Monday - Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
Price: $1200
‘Fly on the Wall’ Mentoring
Not ready for a 1-on-1 mentoring session yet and just want to get a peek at what a session is like? Sit in and observe one of my scheduled newborn sessions and be able to ask posing and/or photography questions along the way. Sessions are held Tuesday - Thursday from 10:00am - 2:00pm.
Price: $300
One-on-One Virtual Mentoring
Grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and spend an hour with me online chatting about anything and everything newborn photography related. I am happy to share all of the lessons I’ve learned, good and bad. I will openly answer all of your questions about how I run my business and offer suggestions that would be best suited for your particular situation. Topic discussions can include (but are not limited to):
Just getting started - best equipment to use, llc vs sole proprietor, insurance, taxes, book-keeping and CRM (customer relations management), all-inclusive vs IPS (in person sales), how to figure out your pricing and cost of doing business.
Kick it up notch - help with your session workflow, studio layout, best practices for in-home sessions, client prep, baby soothing techniques, posing, lighting & editing critique, social media and website SEO help, tips on dealing with a difficult client.
You will be asked to complete a questionnaire prior to the meeting to outline our topics of discussion. Please be aware that we may not be able to cover everything you need in one session, especially if you are just starting out.
Sessions are one hour long and held in the evening, Monday - Friday. If daytime hours are required, please contact me directly.
Price: On sale now - $50 or 5 sessions for $200 (regularly $75 or 5 sessions for $300)
Sign up for a mentoring session here - Virtual Mentoring Session Sign-Up
One-on-one Online Photoshop and Lightroom Tutoring
We will screen-share and can talk real time as I edit an image of yours or mine and go over anything you want to, from totally beginner basics up to composites and other more complicated edits. The session is recorded so you will be able to download it and refer back to if you’d like. Sessions are one hour long and held in the evening, Monday - Friday. If daytime hours are required, please contact me directly.
Price: On sale now - $50 or 5 sessions for $200 (regularly $75 or 5 sessions for for $300 )
Sign up for a tutoring session here - Online Lightroom and Photoshop Tutoring.
Beginner DSLR & Mirrorless Camera Workshop
Ready to finally get off “Auto” mode? This beginner-friendly hands-on workshop is designed for photographers who want to understand how their camera actually works, without feeling overwhelmed by all the buttons and settings.
We’ll spend time in the studio learning the basics of manual mode, including:
aperture, shutter speed and ISO
the exposure triangle
how to properly expose your images
focus modes and basic camera settings
After we go over the basics indoors, we’ll walk around the neighborhood and practice shooting in different lighting situations so you can apply what you’ve learned in real time. This class is designed for complete beginners and newer photographers who want more confidence using their camera manually instead of relying on auto settings. Sessions are held in my East Austin studio and are limited to small groups or one-on-one instruction so there’s plenty of time for questions and hands-on help.
Price: $100 for a 2-hour workshop
If you’d like more guidance about what option is right for you, I’m happy to help out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is newborn photography mentoring best suited for?
Beginners through experienced photographers who want to improve newborn safety, posing, lighting, editing, or business practices.
Do I need experience photographing newborns?
No. Many mentoring students are photographing their first newborn session or transitioning into newborn photography.
Do I need professional studio equipment?
No. We can discuss equipment options based on your budget and goals.
Will You Mentor Photographers Who Live in Austin?
Absolutely. While some mentors choose not to work with photographers in their local market because they're concerned about creating competition, that's never been my approach. I believe there's room for all of us to succeed, and some of my closest photographer friends are women I've met through workshops, mentoring sessions, and local photography groups over the years.
Whether you're located in Austin, elsewhere in Texas, or across the country, I'm happy to help you grow your skills and build a business you're proud of. Photographers regularly travel to my Austin studio for hands-on mentoring, and if you're visiting from out of town, I'm happy to help recommend nearby accommodations, restaurants, and local resources to make the most of your trip.
Can mentoring be customized to my needs?
Absolutely. Full-day mentoring sessions are tailored around your goals, whether that's safety, posing, workflow, editing, pricing, SEO, or business growth.
Will I photograph a real newborn during mentoring?
For full-day mentoring sessions, a newborn model is typically included so you can observe and practice techniques in a real session environment.
Do you offer virtual mentoring?
Yes. Virtual sessions can cover editing, workflow, business topics, marketing, website SEO, pricing, and portfolio reviews.
Do you offer mentoring for photographers outside newborn photography?
While newborn photography is my specialty, some business, editing, and marketing topics may apply to photographers in other genres as well.
Photographer Testimonials
“Jessica is not only an incredible photographer but an amazing mentor as well. She graciously opened her studio, and her knowledge, to help me grow my skills. This is something you just don’t find very often amongst fellow photographers. She’s truly so genuine about wanting to help you grow and has no judgement or negativity regarding where you’re currently at with your skills or what gear you are using. I can’t wait to do more mentoring sessions with her! I highly recommend her not only as a photographer but as a mentor.” ~ Emily E
“ I am a new newborn photographer and had the pleasure of spending the day with Jessica doing 3 sessions. She was gracious and kind, offering lots of tips and tricks as well as information about how she has built her business. It was a huge help to see how she handles her sessions, and seeing the beautiful images she was able to create was a huge inspiration to me. I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for a mentor!” ~ Teresa H.
“I worked with Jessica Doffing Photography as a intern when I was attending the Art Institute of Austin (photography major🙋♀️). She was an open book and she pointed out and explained every step she did. I shot along side her and she reviewed every shot to make sure I captured the right angles. She covered everything from posing, styling, lighting, parent prep, editing, sales, marketing and more. She helped me so much to develop the skill set and confidence I was lacking to expand my knowledge and business in that direction. I wanted to include more newborn photography in my repertoire, which she definitely achieved in doing. Jessica is fun, driven and definitely knows her stuff. I got to know quite well when I interned with her and I found her to be very friendly, professional and approachable and I now feel privileged to be able to call her my friend. She gives 100% of herself and I will be forever grateful for all of her expertise and knowledge she has shared with me. Two thumbs up from me!!” ~Daisy P.