Too early? Too late? What is the best time to schedule my Newborn Photo Session?
You’ve decided you want to schedule a newborn photo-shoot. You’ve chosen the photographer of your dreams (hi! 😊🙋♀️ ), you know your due date, and you can see in your mind how these pictures will look. Now comes the tricky part, when do you schedule your pictures? After all, you don’t know exactly when baby will be born. She could come early, she could arrive late!
Is there such a thing as newborn pictures being taken too soon after baby is born? How late is too late for the adorable newborn poses you’ve seen on my Instagram feed? What if something goes wrong and you miss your chance?
It’s okay. Take a deep breath. Here at Arcadian Photography, I’ve scheduled my fair share of newborn pictures. I’ve heard every question there is and can help you pick the perfect time. Hopefully, the following information will take away some of the stress that comes from being an expecting mother.
The “Perfect” Window for Newborn Photos
While there is no “perfect” time to schedule a newborn photo-shoot because every baby and every mother are different, I do find that most of the families that come through my door arrive within 5 to 10 days of baby’s birth. There are a few good reasons for this.
- The Health of Mom and Baby – Giving birth is a draining experience. Many women will call it the best day of their lives, but it still leaves them tired and sore in ways they’ve never experienced. After a week, your body has started to return to a new normal.
- Feeding Schedules – During the first days of your baby’s life, you’re still working out your feeding schedule. You want to have enough time to make sure baby is feeding well.
- Baby Development – The first week of your baby’s life is full of important developmental milestones that are still forming to prepare them for life outside the womb.
- Newborns are Sleepier in the Early Days – Babies are fidgety. Coming in for pictures early means your little one will be sleepier and easier to pose. Save those hectic pictures for the one-year milestone session!
- That Perfect Newborn Pose – You know the one, where baby is curled up as though still inside your womb. This pose, and others like it, are easiest to capture before you pass the two-week mark.
There are No Hard and Fast Rules
The most important thing to remember when scheduling your newborn pictures is that babies come into this world on their own schedules and there’s nothing we can do to change that. So don’t worry, I won’t twist your arm about the date. When we schedule your newborn pictures, I know to leave a window around the time-frame to accommodate babies who decide they’d like more time before making their grand entrance.
You should also remember that, while your newborn pictures are important to you and will save those fleeting moments forever, nothing is more important than yours or your baby’s health.
I have photographed newborns at every stage from 3 days old up to 6 weeks, all with great success. I look forward to capturing your baby after he’s born. Please send me an email to contact me about availability around your due date and pricing.
