You’re expecting a baby; you probably have a long list of things to organize before they arrive. Newborn photos might be somewhere on that list but when are you actually supposed to book them?
For most families, the best time to book newborn photography is during your second or early third trimester. You don’t need to know exactly when your baby will arrive, and you don’t need to choose an exact session date yet.
Here’s how it works and what happens if your baby has other plans.
Do I Book Newborn Photos Before My Baby Is Born?
Yes! Most newborn sessions are booked using your due date, not your baby’s actual birthday.
Babies rarely arrive exactly when expected, so there’s no need to worry about choosing the perfect date months in advance. Your due date simply allows me to plan space in my calendar around the time your baby is expected.
Once baby arrives, we’ll confirm the actual session date.
Booking while you’re still pregnant also means there’s one less thing to organize during those first sleepy, blurry days at home with a newborn.
What Is the Best Age for Newborn Photos?
Newborn sessions are generally photographed during the first few weeks after birth, when babies are still tiny and naturally curled up.
But there isn’t one magical day when newborn photos suddenly stop being possible. Ideally, between days 4 and 14 days are ideal for those sleepy posed pictures.
Every baby is different. Some sleep through almost everything. Some want to eat frequently. Some are wide awake and very interested in what I’m doing.
After more than 15 years of photographing newborns, I’ve learned that the session needs to work around the baby, not the other way around.
We leave time for feeding, changing and settling, and I don’t expect your newborn to behave according to a photography schedule.
What If My Baby Comes Early or Late?
This is one of the most common worries I hear from expecting parents and it’s exactly why I don’t rely on a firm session date before the baby arrives.
If your baby comes earlier or later than expected, we adjust.
The same goes for unexpected C-sections, longer hospital stays or simply needing a little extra time at home before you’re ready to go anywhere.
You have enough to think about after having a baby. Your photography session shouldn’t be another source of stress.
What If My Baby Is Already Here?
Don’t assume you’ve missed your chance.
If your baby has already arrived and you haven’t booked newborn photos, reach out and ask about availability. Depending on my schedule and your baby’s age, a newborn session may still be possible.
And if your baby has moved beyond that very-newborn stage, there are still beautiful ways to photograph them.
My style has become increasingly focused on your baby as they are and your connection as a family, tiny details, simple portraits, snuggles with Mom and Dad and the expressions you’ll want to remember years from now.
Because ultimately, that’s the point.
You don’t need the perfect baby, the perfect outfit or the perfect first few weeks.
You just need photographs that bring you back to how little they once were.
Expecting a baby in Saint John, Quispamsis, Rothesay or the surrounding area? You can learn more about newborn sessions at Enchanted Hill Photography, including what to expect, session options and how to reserve your due date.
