Watch Me Grow: Baby Photoshoots Near the Luton & Dunstable Border

Watch Me Grow is our dedicated baby photography programme at our studio on the Luton and Dunstable border. It's designed to capture your baby's most important milestones in their first year — and it's now more flexible than ever.

You choose whether to book 1, 2, or 3 professional photoshoots, with a £35 refundable deposit at each session. Whether you want to document one magical moment or track the full journey from tummy time to first steps, Watch Me Grow fits around your baby and your family.

A donation is made to Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Charity when you book your first photoshoot.

Yes — that's the heart of the new Watch Me Grow. You can choose 1, 2, or 3 professional photoshoots:

1 session — capture a single milestone that matters most to you

2 sessions — document two key stages of baby's first year

3 sessions — the full programme, following your baby's journey from early months through to toddler time

All we ask is that you leave at least 4 months between sessions so there's a meaningful difference to photograph. If you're not sure how many sessions to book, just call us — we're happy to talk it through.

We recommend the following stages as a guide:

First session — 3 to 6 months: the age of first smiles, giggles and tummy time curiosity

Second session — 7 to 11 months: sitting up, beginning to crawl, personality in full bloom

Third session — 12 to 18 months: first steps, first words, full toddler energy

These are guidelines, not rules. Your baby sets the pace. If you'd prefer to start at 6 months or schedule sessions around your own timeline, we'll work with you. All we ask is a minimum of 4 months between sessions.

Each session takes place exclusively in our relaxed, purpose-built studio on the Luton and Dunstable border — you won't be sharing the space with anyone else. We allow plenty of time at the start for you and your baby to settle in and meet David and Sue before a single photograph is taken.

Sessions are guided entirely by your baby. We follow their mood, their energy and their natural expressions rather than rushing through poses. The result is a collection of genuine, beautiful portraits that truly capture who your baby is at that moment in time.

All sessions are by appointment only, so your experience will be personal from start to finish. A few tips to help the day go smoothly:

Arrive around 10 minutes before your appointment — it gives you and baby time to settle

Dress baby in something comfortable for the journey and carry their special outfit separately on a hanger

Avoid clothing that may leave marks on baby's skin before the shoot — hats, headbands, tight socks and elasticated sleeves are worth skipping for a couple of hours beforehand

Bring anything that helps baby feel calm and happy — favourite toy, comforter, milk

Not sure about something? Just call us. We've been doing this for over 35 years and we'll happily guide you through it.

With over 35 years of experience photographing babies in Luton and across Bedfordshire, we know this happens — and we never, ever panic. We allow plenty of time in every session for your baby to find their feet, and we will always follow baby's lead.

If baby needs a feed, a nappy change, or just a cuddle, we pause and we wait. We always have a Plan B. And if, on the rare occasion baby is simply not happy after everything we try, we stop the session completely and rebook at no extra charge. Please never worry about this — it's one of the reasons so many local families trust us with their little ones.

Absolutely — and we love it when they do. Parents and siblings are welcome to join in on any or all of your sessions. The main focus of Watch Me Grow is your baby, if you'd like family portraits included too, just let us know when you book so we can allow a little extra time and make sure no one gets too tired — especially baby.

Our digital collections start from £239 (the Milestone Collection — 3 beautifully finished digital files) and include individually edited images ready to print and share.

David and Sue Doyle have been photographing babies, newborns, and families from their studio on the Luton and Dunstable border since 1990 — that's more than 35 years of experience and over 15,000 babies welcomed through our doors.

We are proud members of the Master Photographers Association (MPA) with specialist newborn safety certification — the only studio in the local area to hold this qualification. Our clients return to us again and again, and many first bring their babies to Watch Me Grow and come back years later for school portraits, prom shoots, and family celebrations.

We also care deeply about giving back. A donation is made to Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Charity with every Watch Me Grow booking, 

Choosing Oakley Studios means your baby's portraits help another family too.

Watch Me Grow is booked with a £35 refundable deposit at each photoshoot. Your deposit is fully refunded against any collection you choose on the day, so there is no obligation to spend beyond the deposit itself.

After each session, you'll choose from our carefully curated portrait collections. Our entry collection — the Milestone Collection — is £239 and includes 3 beautifully finished digital files, each individually edited to the highest standard. Higher collections offer more files, prints, and wall art options. Every image is refined for skin tones, lighting, and your baby's natural character — hours of skilled work ensuring portraits you'll treasure for life.

Simply call us on 01582 491499 or drop us a message to ask any questions — we're always happy to chat.