a little boy with a black eye at a photo shoota little boy with a black eye edited out at a photo shoot

Baby Bumps & Scratches – What Happens if Your Baby Has an Accident Before Their Photoshoot?

Life with little ones is unpredictable, and bumps, scratches, and little accidents are part of the journey. If you’ve got a baby photoshoot booked and you wake up to find a mystery scratch, red patch, or a little bump, don’t worry—I promise it happens all the time!  This little guy had given himself an excellent shiner just in time for his session. More often than not, I can lift the marks right out so in the finished images, he’s good as new!

Here’s how I handle tiny mishaps before a session and what to do if you’re unsure about rescheduling.

Common Baby Bumps & Scratches (And What We Can Do!)

Tiny Scratches & Red Marks – Baby nails grow fast, and sometimes they wake up with a mystery scratch on their face. These usually fade quickly and can often be gently edited out.

Milk Spots & Mild Skin Flare-Ups – Babies often have little milk spots, dry skin patches, or mild redness, especially during teething. These are completely normal and usually not noticeable in soft studio lighting.

Bumps on the Head – A little bump from an enthusiastic crawl or tumble is common. If it’s small, we can work around it with angles and lighting—or edit it slightly if needed.

Mild BruisingSoft marks and light bruises can often be softened in post-production. If you’re unsure, I can always take a look at the photos and adjust editing accordingly.

A baby in a denim and rainbow outfit with spots on their faceA baby in a denim and rainbow outfit with spots on their face edited out

Most babies have some form of spots or scratches on their face – it’s just the nature of exploring the world! 

What Can Be Edited in Baby Photos?

Editing can work wonders for small, temporary things like:
✔ Minor scratches
✔ Tiny dry patches
✔ Small bumps or mild redness
✔ A stray hair or two!

However, I always keep things natural—so your baby still looks like your baby! If you’re ever unsure, I’m happy to chat before your session about what can (and can’t) be adjusted.

When Should You Consider Rescheduling?

Sometimes, it might be better to wait for another day—especially if your little one isn’t feeling their best. Here are some situations where rescheduling could be a good idea:

A larger bruise or a cut that’s healing. If there’s a big mark that might bother you in photos, waiting a week or two can be a good option.
Stitches or medical tape. These are trickier to edit naturally, so it’s often best to postpone until they’re removed.
They’re feeling under the weather. If your baby is unhappy or unwell, they won’t enjoy the session as much—and I always want them to be comfortable and happy!

Baby Photography

You can book a stand alone baby photo shoot for £95 including three digital images or you can take a look at my Baby Photography Club which includes

  • Sessions at 4, 8 and 12 months
  • The last session as a cake smash / tub splash if you’d like it (no extra charge)
  • Your favourite image from each session in a wall frame at the end of the year OR a free digital image from each session
  • Online private image gallery after each session (no sales / viewing appointments)
  • £39.95 for the sessions and the wall frame