When to Book Your Newborn Photography Session
Welcoming a new baby is one of life’s most extraordinary moments. In those first few weeks, everything feels like a whirlwind—tiny yawns, sleepless nights, and endless cuddles. For many parents, capturing this fleeting time through newborn photography is a priority, but one of the most common questions I hear is: “When should I book my newborn session?”
The timing of your session is key. To help you feel confident in planning, here’s a breakdown of when to book, why timing matters, and what to expect at each stage.
Why Timing is So Important
Babies change incredibly quickly in the first few weeks of life. The delicate, curled-up newborn poses we often see are easiest to achieve when your baby is very fresh—usually under two weeks old. After this point, babies naturally become more alert and less flexible, which makes those dreamy, sleepy portraits a little trickier.
Booking your session early ensures you capture your baby at their tiniest and most peaceful stage, while also giving you peace of mind that your photographer has time set aside just for you.
When to Book During Pregnancy
The best time to book your newborn photography session is while you’re still pregnant—ideally around the start of your second trimester. By then, most families feel comfortable sharing their news and can begin planning for those precious early weeks.
Why so early? I only take a limited number of newborn sessions each month to allow flexibility around due dates. Babies rarely arrive on schedule, so booking in advance guarantees a spot, no matter if your little one is early, late, or right on time.
Think of it as checking one important thing off your list before life gets wonderfully busy.
The Ideal Window: 5–14 Days Old
For those dreamy, sleepy newborn portraits, the sweet spot is between 5 and 14 days old. At this age:
Babies are still very sleepy and easy to settle.
They naturally curl into those womb-like poses.
Their skin has usually cleared from any immediate post-birth redness or peeling.
Feeding routines are starting to establish, giving us smoother sessions.
This is when we’re most likely to capture those angelic, curled-up shots and tiny details you’ll treasure forever.
What If Your Baby Is Older?
Life happens—and sometimes scheduling a newborn session in that 5–14 day window just isn’t possible. The good news? It’s never too late to photograph your baby.
From three weeks to three months, sessions focus less on curly poses and more on connection. We’ll capture:
Beautiful eye contact and curious expressions.
Natural, unposed cuddles with parents and siblings.
Sweet stretches, yawns, and little personalities starting to shine.
These images are just as meaningful—they tell the story of your baby as they are, right now.
Maternity and Newborn Packages
Many families choose to combine maternity and newborn photography into one package. Booking both together means your photographer can document the journey from bump to baby seamlessly. It’s also a wonderful way to ensure you don’t miss either milestone.
If you’re considering this, it’s best to enquire early in your pregnancy. That way, your photographer can reserve both your maternity session date and a flexible newborn slot around your due date.
A Relaxed, Baby-Led Session
One of the biggest worries new parents have is: “What if my baby won’t settle?” Please know—this is completely normal, and it’s nothing to stress about.
Newborn sessions with me are always baby-led and completely unhurried. I allow plenty of time so we can pause for feeds, nappy changes, cuddles, or simply to let baby settle. Sometimes it takes a little while for babies to feel comfortable—that’s part of the process.
The beauty of newborn photography is in going at their pace. No rushing, no pressure, just a calm, supportive environment. This way, you can relax knowing we’ll capture the perfect set of images, no matter how the day unfolds.
How to Secure Your Spot
Booking your newborn photography session is simple, but timing is everything. Here’s what to do:
Reserve your due date—this locks in a flexible spot on the calendar.
Confirm the session once baby arrives—let your photographer know, and they’ll schedule the exact day within that ideal window.
I’m very used to juggling unpredictable arrival times—so you’ll always have a little wiggle room.
Final Thoughts
Your newborn’s first weeks go by in a blur. Booking your newborn session during pregnancy ensures you don’t miss the chance to capture them at their tiniest, most peaceful stage. Whether you’re after those curly, sleepy poses in the first two weeks, or more natural, connection-filled images a little later, what matters most is preserving these fleeting memories.
If you’re expecting, the best time to start planning is now. By securing your session early, you can relax knowing those first precious moments will be beautifully documented, no matter when your baby decides to make their debut.