Honestly? Book while you’re still pregnant. Most of my sessions land when baby’s 5 to 14 days old, still curled up and sleepy from being in there for nine months – but the actual booking happens way before that, usually second or third trimester. Reach out as soon as you’ve told people you’re expecting. My calendar fills up faster than most parents expect.
The 5–14 Day Window (And Why I Love It)
Somewhere between day five and day fourteen, babies are still basically curled up like they were in there – sleepy, floppy, easy to wrap. It’s genuinely my favorite age to shoot, not because it’s easier for me, but because it’s easier for them. Less fuss, deeper sleep, way more patience for the whole thing.
Past three weeks, that changes. Baby wakes up more — actually and figuratively – and getting a tight curl or a sleepy pose gets harder. Doesn’t mean the session’s not worth it. Just means I shoot it differently, which I’ll get to.
When Should You Actually Book?
Second trimester, if you can swing it – weeks 20 to 30ish. I know that sounds early. You might not even have a crib assembled yet. But that’s exactly the point: it’s when you have the headspace to actually pick a photographer you like, instead of whoever’s still free once baby’s already here.
Once you’re booked, your due date is just a placeholder. Babies don’t read calendars, so I leave that whole week open on purpose.
If Baby Shows Up Early or Late
Happens all the time, and it’s never a problem on my end. Early? Text me once you’re home and settled – we’ll shoot based on when baby actually arrived, not the date we originally circled. Late? Nothing changes, your week just slides forward. Only thing I ask is you keep me posted, mostly so I’m not sitting on a date someone else could actually use.
What If My Baby Isn’t So Newborn Anymore?
Three weeks, four, six – doesn’t matter, it’s not too late. A newborn boy photoshoot or a girl’s, an older baby just means a different session, not a smaller one.
Sleep gets messier past three weeks, so we build in more breaks and just follow whatever mood baby’s in. What you lose in sleepy curl, you gain in actual eye contact, real smiles, real back-and-forth with you – the stuff a sleeping newborn literally can’t give you. Some of my favorite galleries ever came from babies way past that “ideal” window.
Adding Family Photos Too
Almost nobody just wants solo baby shots – everyone wants a few with mom, dad, the siblings in there too. So I build that in no matter which package you pick, woven right between the posed newborn shots.
If there’s an older sibling coming, timing shifts a little. Morning sessions work better – kids have more patience before naps and meltdowns take the wheel.
Booking Maternity & Newborn
A lot of my clients start with a maternity photoshoot around 30 to 34 weeks, then come back for newborn right after. Feels like one story instead of two separate bookings, honestly. And it means by the time baby arrives, I already know your family – not meeting you for the first time in the middle of the newborn haze.
You don’t have to book both at once. But if maternity’s already on your calendar, locking in the newborn date too, while there’s still flexibility on both ends, isn’t a bad move.
Why My Calendar Fills Up So Fast
I only take on a handful of newborn photography sessions each month at my studio, on purpose.
It’s the only way every family actually gets my full attention before, during, and after – not rushed through like the last item on a checklist. Trade-off is, popular dates and busy due-date months go quick, sometimes months out.
Families who wait until baby’s already here aren’t really choosing a photographer anymore – they’re taking whoever’s left. If you’ve found someone whose work you actually love, that’s your reason to reach out now, not “once things calm down.” (They won’t, for a while. That’s fine too.)
Newborn Session Pricing
| Package | Duration | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifestyle | 1 hour | Family-only, no wraps or props, 10 retouched photos | $300 |
| Light | 1.5 hours | 3 outfits (wrap, props, family), 10 retouched photos | $300 |
| Standard | 2–3 hours | 4 outfits, 15 retouched photos | $450 |
| Premium | 3–4 hours | 6 outfits, 25 retouched photos | $750 |
See my full newborn session checklist for what to pack once your date is booked, or check current rates on my Pricing page.
Questions I Get a Lot
When is the best time to take newborn photos?
Day 5 through 14, while they’re still sleepy and curled up. After three weeks, we just shift toward a more awake, interactive kind of session.
When should you schedule your newborn session?
Second or third trimester, by week 30 if you can. Due date’s just a placeholder – we adjust once baby’s actually here.
What if my baby comes early?
Text me once you’re home. We’ll go off the real birth date, not the one we originally penciled in.
Is it too late to book if my baby is already a few weeks old?
Not even close. Just a different kind of session – more alert, more personality, still absolutely worth doing.
Can I get family photos with a newborn photoshoot?
Always. Family portraits are built into every package, right alongside the posed baby shots.
Should I book my maternity and newborn sessions together?
Not required, but plenty of people do it – locks in both dates and makes the whole thing feel like one story instead of two.
Related reading: Once your date is booked, here’s exactly what to bring to your newborn session so you’re not scrambling the week before.
Narrative close: Right now, “someday” feels far away. In a few weeks, you’ll be the one googling how fast newborns change – so let’s get your date locked in while you still have the time to enjoy planning it. You can browse recent sessions in my portfolio, or reach out to me to check upcoming availability.
