There are a lot of things to think about before a new baby arrives.

The nursery. The car seat. Tiny clothes that somehow need to be washed before someone who is roughly seven pounds can wear them.

And somewhere in the middle of all of that, you may start wondering:

When am I actually supposed to schedule newborn photos?

The good news is that you don’t need to know exactly when your baby will arrive. Newborn photography is designed to leave a little room for the unpredictability that comes with babies.

The Best Time to Book Your Newborn Photographer

If newborn photographs are important to you, I recommend reaching out during your second trimester. I only take on a limited number of newborns each month so that I can leave room for the fact that babies tend to arrive on their own schedules. Booking during your second trimester gives you the best chance of securing availability around your due date.

Booking before baby arrives gives you one less thing to think about during those first sleepy weeks at home. It also gives us time to talk through what you’re envisioning and prepare for your session without anything feeling rushed.

Your due date works as our starting point, and once baby arrives, we can finalize the details from there.

Since we already have your due date on my calendar, there is flexibility built in if baby decides to arrive a little early or take their time. That is exactly why I limit how many newborn sessions I accept each month.

Does Baby Have to Be a Certain Age?

You may have heard that newborn photographs absolutely have to happen within the first week or two.

For those especially sleepy, curled-up newborn photographs, I ideally photograph babies within the first one to two weeks after birth. During that window, babies are often still extra sleepy and naturally settle into those tiny newborn poses a little more easily.

But if those first two weeks come and go, please don’t panic. I photograph babies up to eight weeks old as newborns, too. Every baby and every postpartum experience is different, and beautiful photographs are absolutely still possible if your session happens a little later.

Booking ahead simply gives us the most flexibility to choose the timing that works best once your baby is actually here.

What If My Baby Comes Early or Late?

Babies tend to have their own plans.

That’s why newborn sessions are scheduled with flexibility in mind. Your due date helps us plan ahead, but an early arrival or a baby who decides to stay cozy a little longer doesn’t mean you’ve missed your chance.

Once your little one is here, we’ll work with their actual arrival date and your family’s needs.

Booking Early Means Less to Think About Later

Those first days home can feel like one long blur of feeding, changing, rocking, cuddling and trying to remember what day it is.

Having your newborn photographer chosen ahead of time means the planning portion is already handled.

It is one less decision sitting on your to-do list while you’re getting ready to have a baby and one less thing to remember once you’re home with a newborn.

You can simply settle in with your baby…