10 Real Reasons I Got an Enhanced DBS Check (Even Though I Didn’t Have To)

adelemorris
Apr 16
6 min read

Letting someone else hold your newborn baby is a huge deal.

Your baby has been in your arms for days, maybe weeks, and now, for the first time, you're trusting someone else to care for them, even just for a moment. It’s an incredibly emotional experience. And one that deserves to be met with care, understanding, and above all, trust.

Even though there’s no legal requirement for newborn photographers to have an Enhanced DBS check, I chose to get one. Not because I had to, but because it felt like the right thing to do.

Here’s why it mattered to me, and why it should matter to you too.

1. Because I know how it feels to hand your baby to someone else

I’m a mum. And not just any mum, I’m a mum who’s known loss. That moment you pass your baby into someone else’s arms for the first time? I’ve been there. My heart has pounded in my chest as I watched someone else cradle my tiny, precious newborn.

That feeling of vulnerability stays with you. And it’s exactly why I made sure every part of my service is wrapped in reassurance.

Having an Enhanced DBS isn’t just a piece of paper, it’s one more way to say: I get it. You can trust me.

2. Because many of my clients have vulnerable beginnings

Over the years, I’ve welcomed so many families into the studio whose journeys haven’t been straightforward. IVF. Rainbow babies. NICU stays. Emergency C-sections. Birth trauma. Anxiety. Loss.

When you’ve been through so much to hold your baby, everything feels heightened, and safety becomes even more important. I make sure that my studio is a soft landing. A place where your story is heard, and your baby is cared for as gently and thoughtfully as they deserve.

Having that Enhanced DBS is just one part of building that bubble of trust around you.

3. Because sometimes, you just need to nip to the toilet

It sounds simple, but it’s true. I’ve had mums who haven’t had a proper moment to themselves since baby arrived. During sessions, there are moments you just need a breather. To pop to the loo. Grab something from the car. Take a deep breath.

When you do that, you’re leaving your baby in my care. And I want you to feel completely at ease doing so.

The Enhanced DBS is one more reason you can.

4. Because mums sometimes fall asleep in my studio—and that’s okay

There is no tired like newborn tired. And I’ve had so many mums doze off while I work. It’s one of the biggest compliments I can get.

My studio is warm. Calm. Safe. And I’ll often say, "Close your eyes if you need to, I’ve got them." Because I really do.

That kind of rest and trust is only possible when you know your baby is safe, and that’s where safeguarding and DBS checks matter more than ever.

5. Because I’ve worked with children my whole career

Before I became a full-time photographer, I worked in education and special educational needs for over 20 years. Safeguarding wasn’t just something I had training in, it was part of my daily life.

I’ve attended countless safeguarding courses, written policies, worked with social workers, and been trusted with children and vulnerable young people in every situation you can imagine.

That experience shapes everything I do in my photography sessions.

6. Because I volunteer with Remember My Baby—and I’ve been in those shoes too

I’m honoured to be a volunteer photographer for Remember My Baby, a charity that offers remembrance photography for families who have lost a baby before, during, or shortly after birth.

This work is delicate. Emotional. Sacred.

Photographers must have an Enhanced DBS to volunteer—and rightly so. It’s one of the most sensitive forms of photography, and the level of trust required is immense.

But for me, it’s also personal.

I’ve been in those shoes, the shoes of loss. And I understand, in my bones, how precious every moment and memory becomes. This experience has deepened my compassion, my understanding, and my drive to offer not only beautiful images but a service built on care, trust, and respect.

7. Because I often work alone with families

Many of my sessions are one-to-one: me, your baby, and you. Sometimes, it’s just me and baby while parents grab a coffee or need a minute to themselves. Sometimes I’m in your home. Sometimes you’re in mine (my studio).

Having an Enhanced DBS adds that extra layer of reassurance, that professional level of accountability. It tells you that I take the responsibility seriously.

8. Because I hold your baby for extended periods

Newborn posing takes time. I’ll often hold, settle, and soothe your baby for long stretches to keep them safe and content throughout the session.

It’s hands-on work. And I do it with the utmost care and skill, but also with full awareness of how much trust it requires from you.

The Enhanced DBS is a symbol of that trust, and one more reason you can relax knowing your little one is in good hands.

9. Because safeguarding is second nature to me

It’s in the way I speak to your toddler when they’re feeling overwhelmed. It’s in how I plan sessions with your baby’s needs at the centre. It’s in how I manage risks in the studio, from temperature control to sanitation and handling.

Being DBS checked isn’t just about ticking a box. It’s about building a culture of safety and trust that you can feel from the moment you walk in the door.

10. Because if I were booking a photographer—I’d want the same

This is the heart of it, really. If it were me, if I was booking someone to photograph my baby, I’d want to know they had gone above and beyond.

That they didn’t just do the minimum, but chose to do more, because they care.

That’s the kind of photographer I aim to be.

You deserve to feel completely at ease

Whether you’re feeding, resting, or just soaking up those fleeting newborn moments, I want you to feel relaxed, respected, and safe.

My Enhanced DBS check is just one of the many ways I make that happen. From the first message to the final image, I’m here to support you, not just photograph you.

If you're looking for a newborn photographer who puts care, safety, and trust first, I'd love to welcome you in.

Ready to find out more about booking your newborn session? Let’s chat

Let’s Start a Conversation:

I’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re a parent, a photographer, or just someone who understands the importance of trust in newborn photography, your thoughts matter.

Have you ever had a moment where you had to hand your baby to someone else? How did you feel?

What’s one thing that would make you feel even more comfortable when booking a newborn photoshoot?

Leave a comment below, I’d be honored to read your thoughts and experiences.

And if you found this post helpful, don’t forget to share it with other parents who might be looking for reassurance about their newborn’s safety during photoshoots!

About the Photographer

I’m Adele Morris, a multi-award-winning newborn and family portrait photographer based in Porthcawl, Bridgend, South Wales. I’m also a proud mum to three little ones, including my amazing autistic son, and a passionate advocate for safe, sensitive, and heartfelt photography. My work has been featured in Vogue Italia, Swansea Life, Bump, Baby and Beyond, and Wales Online, and I volunteer as a remembrance photographer for the charity Remember My Baby.

Having experienced baby loss myself, I understand just how important it is to feel safe, seen, and held through the process of capturing those early moments.

With over 20 years of experience working in education and SEN, I bring not just artistry, but deep compassion and professionalism to every session. I hold certifications in newborn safety posing, an Enhanced DBS, and a Licentiate qualification in photography with the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers, one of the world's largest organisations for pro and aspiring photographers. Whether you're expecting your first baby or adding to your growing family, you’re in safe, experienced hands with me.

Ready to find out more about booking your newborn session? Let’s chat

Explore More Helpful Reads:

If you found this post helpful, you might also enjoy these related blog posts on my website. They're packed with valuable insights and tips to help you navigate your newborn and family photography journey:

When, How, and Why to Book a Newborn Photoshoot – Everything you need to know about booking your newborn session, from timing to preparing for the perfect shoot.

My Studio: What to Expect During Your Session – A behind-the-scenes look at my studio and how I ensure your experience is as comfortable and memorable as possible.