Not sure when you should book in your newborn photos?
Between packing your hospital bag, dealing with all the joys of being pregnant and then dealing with sleep deprivation once baby arrives, it can feel like one more thing on the to-do-list.
But let me take all of the guess work and decision making out and get down to what you need to know if you’re expecting a baby.
What age are we talking?
When we talk about newborns, we’re generally referring to babies who are up to four weeks old. During this time, they still have those adorable features and qualities that make them so incredibly precious.
Think of their tiny fingers and toes, delicate skin, and those gorgeous expressions that make everyone in the room swoon.
Newborns are particuarly sleepy in the first 10 days, so if your preference is truely to capture the early days, then this window of time is it.
A newborn session at the hospital
There are also different types of newborn portraits to consider. One popular option is a session held at the hospital in the hours or days after birth.
It’s an incredible opportunity to capture the first interactions between your baby and the rest of the family. The love, joy, and raw emotions that fill the room during those moments make for truly meaningful photographs.
It can also be a wonderful way to have a few quiet moments captured with baby if there are toddlers at home.
And BONUS – this session can be added onto your newborn home session at no additional cost if you choose to skip the maternity shoot.
A session at home
Newborn sessions at home create a relaxed and intimate atmosphere, where the entire family can get involved.
Siblings, parents, and even your furry friends can join in on the fun, creating a beautiful representation of your family dynamic during this special time.
This is also a beautiful location to capture skin-on-skin portraits, to have a shower or bath with your newborn and toddlers, and to capture your feeding journey however that looks for you.
Capturing your bond with skin-on-skin
Nothing captures the sacred bond you share with your newborn like portraits of skin-on-skin time with your baby.
These portraits emphasise the tender connection and create visually striking images that portray love and protection.
Portrait sessions aren’t just about the photos – I create a space where you feel comfortable to really enjoy this time with your newest little love, while I capture it to be cherished forever.
When should I schedule my newborn session?
While it’s ideal to plan it within the first few weeks of your baby’s life, there isn’t a strict cut-off age. It depends on what stage you’d love captured. They’ll never be as small as they are when they’re first born and parents are often shocked at just how quickly they grow!
If you love the sleepy newborn portraits, your session is best held in the first two weeks but if you’d like to wait until baby is smiling, it can be up to four months.
I suggest booking your newborn session in when you’re about 20 weeks pregnant to avoid disapointment, as I often book out months in advance. It’s also one less thing to worry about on a tired brain once baby is born.
Your baby’s story told from the beginning
I have lost track of the amount of times my kids have asked to see photos of when they were first born.
Whether you choose to have your newborn session at hospital, at home or with skin-on-skin artfully captured, you’ll have portraits to hold onto forever.
And the story of your child’s life just beginning, can be passed down to them, so they can one day share it with their own children.
I book out months in advance, so if you’d like to schedule a maternity or newborn session in, please get in touch via my contact page.