Bringing home a new baby is a little magical, a little chaotic, and a whole lot of figuring things out as you go. And somewhere in the middle of preparing the nursery, washing tiny outfits, and getting ready for your new little human, you might start wondering about newborn photos. This post is for my expecting parents who are wondering when should you book a newborn photographer!
As a Marin County & San Francisco family photographer, who has worked with hundreds of families, here’s what I recommend.
(But don’t worry if you’re reading this with a newborn already in your arms. I’ve got you!)
The Best Time to Book Your Newborn Photographer
In an ideal world, I recommend reaching out toward the end of your second trimester or the beginning of your third trimester. This gives us plenty of time to chat about your vision, plan the details, and make adjustments to your session date if your little one decides to arrive early or late.
(It’s also a great time to talk about maternity photos!) Pregnancy is such a special season, and celebrating this chapter before your baby arrives can be a beautiful way to remember just how much your life is about to change.
But regardless of when you decide to do the photos, giving yourself a buffer by inquiring with me by the end of the 2nd trimester is typically what I’ve found to work best!
The family above decided to have their in-home session at 4 weeks old, while the twins babies below were in the studio at 4 days!
There’s lots of flexibility in what is best for you and your family.
What If Your Baby Is Already Here?
First, take a deep breath. You’re not too late to reach out! I promise!
When I was pregnant with my son, I was living in a new city, caring for a sick family member, working a full-time office job with a long commute, and managing a home renovation. Even as a photographer, planning my own newborn photos completely slipped my mind.
When he was a week old, it hit me. I desperately wanted portraits of him, but I wasn’t in a place to make them happen myself. Guess what? I reached out to several photographers, only to hear that they were fully booked. I was devastated.
That experience has stayed with me.
I never want another mom to feel that way, so I always do my best to accommodate last-minute inquiries when I can. My dream is to be your baby’s auntie photographer for life, and that starts with making you feel supported from day one.
This session was done at 3 weeks old in the studio!
So now you know when to book your newborn photographer. But… when should you schedule your actual session day?
The ideal timing depends on the type of photos you want!
For my signature posed newborn portraits, complete with sweet outfits, props, and flowers, the best window is typically when your baby is 1 to 14 days old. Newborns tend to be sleepier and more flexible during this stage, which helps me create those curled-up, dreamy portraits.
If your baby is already three or four weeks old, we can still make beautiful photos together. We may just have fewer posing options as your little one becomes more alert.
For lifestyle newborn sessions at home, the timeline is much more flexible. We can plan around what feels right for your family, whether that means:
- Capturing those first days of bringing baby home.
- Waiting a few weeks while you recover from a C-section.
- Scheduling around grandparents visiting from out of town.
- Giving yourselves a little time to settle into your new routine
There is no right or wrong answer here!
This sweet baby below was one month old at their in-home session, and it was perfect!
And since they got to wait for grandparents to arrive, everyone got to take photos together! Win-win!
So, when should you book a newborn photographer in Marin County?
Earlier is ideal, but please don’t let perfect timing keep you from reaching out. Whether you’re planning ahead or already snuggling your brand-new baby, I’d love to hear from you. We’ll figure out what works best for your family and create something beautiful together.
