If you’re expecting a baby, you may be wondering when you should book newborn photos and how you can possibly schedule a session when you don’t know exactly when your baby will arrive.

As a Tampa newborn photographer, these are two questions I hear all the time.

I recommend booking your newborn photographer during your second or early third trimester and planning for your session around 7 to 10 days after your baby arrives.

Here’s what you need to know!

When Should You Book a Newborn Photographer?

Ideally, book your newborn photographer while you’re still pregnant. Your second or early third trimester is a great time to reach out.

You don’t need to know exactly when your baby will arrive. I use your due date to reserve space on my calendar, and once your baby is here, we choose the actual session date.

Booking ahead also means one less thing to think about during those first few days at home.

What Is the Best Age for Newborn Photos?

The sweet spot for newborn photos is 7 to 10 days after birth.

During those first days, babies tend to be extra sleepy, naturally curled up and easier to settle. It’s the perfect time to photograph all of those tiny newborn details before they begin changing so quickly.

I recommend having your newborn session within the first 2 to 3 weeks at the latest. After that, babies become more alert, stretch out more, stay awake longer and start to realize they have a little more say in how the day goes.

Beautiful photographs are still possible after three weeks, but the session may look a little different than it would during those earliest newborn days.

What If My Baby Comes Early or Late?

This is one of the biggest questions expecting parents have when booking newborn photography.

What happens if your baby comes two weeks early? What if you go past your due date?

We adjust.

Your due date gives us a general idea of when your newborn session will take place, but your baby ultimately gets the final say.

Once your baby arrives, we will choose the actual session date with that ideal 7 to 10 day window in mind.

There is flexibility built into the process because there has to be. Babies arrive on their own timelines, and your newborn photography experience should never feel like another deadline you have to meet.

What If My Baby Is Already Here and I Haven’t Booked Newborn Photos?

Reach out.

While I recommend booking your newborn photographer during pregnancy, I never want a parent to assume they have completely missed their opportunity because their baby is already here.

If I have availability, we can talk about your baby’s age and what your session might look like.

A baby photographed at four weeks may be more awake and alert than a baby photographed at eight days old, but there are still so many beautiful details worth documenting.

If you’re holding your baby while reading this and wondering whether it’s too late, it is always worth asking.

Ready to Plan Your Newborn Session?

If you’re expecting and starting to plan your newborn photography in Tampa, now is a great time to get your session on the calendar. We’ll plan around your due date, and once your baby is here, we’ll take care of the rest.

I would absolutely love to document those first days with your growing family.