When to Book Your Newborn Photographer (And Why Your Third Trimester Self Will Thank You)

Right now you might be focused on nursery décor, baby registries, and figuring out which car seat actually fits in your backseat. Book your newborn photographer? That feels like something future-you can handle after the baby arrives. But here’s the thing, future-you is going to be sleep-deprived, covered in spit-up, and trying to remember which day of the week it is. Present-you, on the other hand, has the time and brainpower to find the perfect newborn photographer without the stress.

I’ve had 3 kiddos and trust me those first weeks go by in a blur, you will barely remember to change your clothes let alone research and book a newborn photographer. Plus when you wait you run the risk of that amazing photographer already being booked. I knew from the moment I got pregnant who I wanted doing my kids newborn photos so you can bet I booked her right away! Check them out here, here and oh my gosh I never shared my 3rd kiddo’s newborn photos 🙈. (3rd child problem right?!?! )

The First Two Weeks: Your Baby’s Best (and Sleepiest) Window

Here’s something I’ve learned after 17+ years of photographing newborns: timing really does matter. Those first 5-14 days are the sweet spot, and there’s a simple reason — babies sleep. A lot.

In those early days, your baby hasn’t hit the cluster feeding stage yet, so they’re not constantly wanting to nurse. They’re content, sleepy, and so much easier to settle during a session. Plus, both parents are typically still home, which makes scheduling so much simpler before pediatrician appointments and work schedules take over.

I don’t need a perfectly sleeping baby to get beautiful photos — a mix of sleepy and awake shots actually tells the story best. What we want to avoid is an unhappy, hungry baby, and that’s much more common once we’re past those early weeks. Older babies are absolutely still photographable, but sessions require more flexibility, more feeding breaks, and a little extra creativity.

What surprises most parents is just how fast that window closes. Suddenly your baby is four weeks old, looks completely different, and your favorite photographer has been booked for months.

The Sweet Spot for Booking A Newborn Photographer (Hint: You’re Probably Still Pregnant)

My advice? Reach out as soon as you’ve told your family and friends and you’re ready to start talking about it. There is no such thing as too early to book your newborn photographer.

Here’s how it works: once you inquire, we’ll chat about your session and lock in your due date as a placeholder. Since I only take on four sessions per month, that entire week stays flexible for you — so whether baby arrives a little early or decides to take their sweet time, we’re covered.

Once you’re booked, you’ll receive a guide with tips and advice to help you prepare for your session day. You’ll also get access to styling guides so you can start thinking about what to wear well before the newborn haze sets in. And of course, I’ll send everything again a couple of days before your session as a refresher.

Most clients tell me that getting this checked off their list is such a relief, knowing their photographer is locked in, their spot is secure, and they have someone to answer questions along the way.

Here’s something worth knowing: many of my clients choose to go the membership route, which means we start working together even before baby arrives. We’ll get your maternity session scheduled for around two months before your due date, so your entire journey — from bump to baby — is beautifully documented. If that sounds like something you’d love, make sure to ask me about it when you reach out!

What Happens If Baby Comes Early (Or Fashionably Late)

Let’s be real! Babies don’t follow anyone’s schedule. And that’s completely okay, because I’ve built my entire business around that reality.

When baby arrives, just shoot me a message. I’ll be honest, I’m probably already Instagram stalking you to see if there’s a birth announcement! 😄 If we’ve done your maternity session together, chances are we’re already in touch around that time anyway, so the transition to scheduling your newborn session is seamless.

If baby hasn’t arrived by the due date and I haven’t heard from you, I’ll check in with a quick message, something along the lines of “Hey, hopefully you’re not still pregnant and you’re just in the newborn haze!” Because nobody wants to be pregnant longer than they need to be, and I get that.

I actually know firsthand how unexpected early arrivals can feel. My daughter came a month early, at 35 weeks I found out she’d be arriving the following week. One of the first calls I made was to my own newborn photographer to give her a heads up, and she made it work without a hitch. That experience is part of why I’m so intentional about being flexible for my clients.

My one ask? When you’re settled in the hospital — maybe the day baby arrives or the day after — go ahead and send me a quick message. That’s it. Everything else I’ll take care of.

Why Your Favorite Photographers Book Up Fast

I only take on four newborn sessions per month, and that’s completely intentional. It means I have the flexibility to move sessions around when babies arrive early or late, and it means every single family gets my full attention — before, during, and after their session. I’m not cramming in bookings and rushing from one family to the next. You’re not just a slot on my calendar.

But here’s what that also means: my calendar fills up fast. And if you wait I might not be able to get you in because of other booked sessions.

When families wait until after baby arrives to start looking, they’re no longer shopping for the photographer they actually want. They’re searching for whoever is available. And that means potentially compromising on style, on experience, on everything that made you fall in love with a photographer’s work in the first place.

If you value these photos and I know you do, or you wouldn’t be reading this then this needs to be on your to-do list long before baby arrives. Imagine the difference between researching photographers from the comfort of your couch at 28 weeks versus frantically calling studios with a five-day-old baby in your arms. Your future self will absolutely thank your past self for planning ahead and booking a newborn photographer.

What If Baby Is Already Here?

First things first, it is never too late to get beautiful photos of your baby. Never. Your baby is only going to keep growing, so whatever stage they’re at right now, these are still moments worth capturing.

If your baby is four to six weeks old and you’re just now reaching out to book a newborn photographer, I want you to know we can absolutely still make this happen. But I do want to set realistic expectations so your session day feels relaxed rather than stressful.

Here’s what sessions look like with babies in that four to six week range:

• Sleep is less predictable. Babies at this age aren’t snoozing as deeply or as easily as they were in those first two weeks, so we work in shorter windows and follow baby’s lead.
• Cluster feeding is usually in full swing. We build in frequent feeding breaks and let baby set the pace.
• The pacifier becomes our best friend. We play a lot of “pull the paci, get the shot, plug it back in” and honestly, we’ve gotten really good at it.
• Most photos will be mom and dad holding baby. And those are some of the most beautiful images I’ve ever taken. Baby is happiest in your arms, and that shows.

What you gain with an older baby is something really special too, those wide awake, bright-eyed shots of your baby actually looking at you. Parents absolutely love those.

So if you’re in the newborn fog reading this with a five-week-old in your lap, reach out. Let’s get you on the calendar before they get any bigger.

Ready to Chat? Here’s How Easy It Is

Reaching out is simple, just fill out the contact form on my website, click the button below to be directed there. I’ll get back to you within 24-48 hours, and I’ll send over a video where I walk you through my process, my pricing, and answer any questions you submitted in your form. No pressure, no awkward sales calls. If you want to hop on a quick call to chat, I’m happy to do that too, but it’s completely optional. If you are ready to book your newborn photographer I’ll send over a quote and contract and get the ball rolling.

And if you’re not quite ready to book and just have questions? That’s totally fine. I love hearing from expecting parents at any stage of pregnancy. My inbox is always open.

Your Future Self Will Thank You

After 17+ years of photographing newborns, I can tell you with complete confidence that nobody has ever regretted booking a newborn photographer early. Nobody.

I am so past the baby stage myself, so I live for getting to hold your tiny newborn, capture all that fresh new love in your home, and then hand that baby right back when we’re done. 😄 There is nothing quite like watching two people become parents and seeing how much love fills a room in those early days. It genuinely never gets old.

So if you just found out you’re pregnant, or you’re deep in your second trimester crossing things off your list — this is your sign. Head over to my Richmond newborn photography portfolio page to see my work, and then fill out that contact form so we can get your spot secured.

And if you really want to make your future self happy? Ask me about my membership program, where we capture your baby’s entire first year — every precious milestone from newborn all the way through their first birthday. Because trust me, it all goes by way too fast.

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When to Book Your Newborn Photographer (And Why Your Third Trimester Self Will Thank You)