When to book your newborn photos
How do you book a newborn photo shoot when you don’t know when they will be born?
I mean it is a very valid question with no exact answer. So I have popped together this little guide to help explain a few of the most commonly asked questions about booking your newborn photo shoot.
Also, before I go any further, I am guessing you are here as you are pregnant or are a new baby Mumma so CONGRATULATIONS on one of the most special times in your life.
01 // So when is the best time for a newborn photo shoot?
Ok first let’s look at what is the ideal time.
My style of newborn session is natural baby-led posing. This simply means I have a workflow of natural poses but on the day I will follow each bub’s natural movements and personality.
With this style, the ideal time for a newborn photo shoot is around 7-21 days old as Bub is still sleepy and can easily be wrapped and settled. Babies at this age also love to be curled up still as it is similar to their position in the womb.
02 // When should I get in contact to book my newborn photo shoot?
I will always suggest the earlier the better when booking a newborn photoshoot because you want to be able to secure the date that works based on your estimated due date. Typically most of my clients reach out between the 12-20 week mark to secure their date which means I am usually booked 3-5 months in advance.
Now I know what you are thinking, only a handful of babies arrive on their due date so how are you mean to book a session for a small window in advance when you don’t know the date they will actually be born?
To accommodate flexibility with actual birth dates I limit the number of bookings I take on each month. That means we will pop a date in for 7-14 days after your due date and then you just keep me updated on bubs actual arrival and we can shift it either way if needed. NOW as I limit the bookings I take that does mean that I do tend to book out early which again is another reason to get in early to secure your date.
03 // I didn’t know I wanted newborn photos now my baby is already here, is it too late to book?
Absolutely not! I get it, sometimes it’s once your bundle of joy arrives that you suddenly realise you want the newborn photoshoot that you never knew you wanted and that’s ok.
Firstly I suggest getting in touch as soon as possible and we can chat about availability. You can also request a phone call if you want and we chat through options and lock something in.
It also doesn’t matter if your baby is older than the recommended age range of 7-21 days. The only difference is older bubs don’t always like to settle down to sleep so we may not be able to achieve all the curled-up sleepy shots that we do in the younger newborn sessions, but we will still capture some beautiful moments focused on connection.
It is better to capture the memories with an older bub than not to have captured them at all.
04 // Ready to request your booking? What happens next?
I want this process to be as simple as possible so all you need to do is fill in the form here. Then within 24 hours I will respond, say hi, and will chat availability or pass you my direct booking link pending how far in advance your session is.
Once we have locked in a date and a package size, I will organise your paperwork. Once your contract is signed and your deposit is paid we will move on to the fun stuff like what you will wear and how you want the session to feel. I also provide a beautiful client wardrobe for Mum and Bub which you can view here. Sorry, Dad but you will need to organise your own clothing for the day,
Before you go, I have a few other FAQs about newborn sessions
05 // Should parents and siblings be in the photos?
YES! ok that may have been aggressive but absolutely you should be. Yes, the photo shoot is about the newborn but it is also about the family and connection and bond you all have. The baby wouldn’t be here without you so let’s not capture memories you are not in.
For this reason, all of my newborn sessions include the Parents and any siblings. If you had plans for extended family then reach out and we can chat.
06 // What if my newborn is unsettled?
Ok, I don’t want to be the one to break the bad news to you, but 99% of newborns are “unsettled” and that’s ok. I have a structure on the day that is designed to support Bub through the stages of the photoshoot with minimal disturbance to them. If Bub doesn’t want to sleep then that is ok too, We will still capture a beautiful gallery for you all.
07 // Do you photoshop the baby?
That is a big no for me, I love the more natural newborn images focused on their fresh beauty. If bub does have a few blemishes on their face I will go through and remove them but I do like to leave the little flakes of skin, birthmarks and anything else on the body. This is about capturing this moment in time like a time capsule rather than fully edited perfection.
08 // Where are your newborn shoots located?
I have a beautiful natural light studio in Camberwell. My space is a beautiful warm and inviting space with the best lighting. Honestly, this space is how my dream house would be decorated but I have 2 boys so that would never work.
I do offer in-home sessions by request only. The main reason is that not all homes are ideal for a photoshoot due to light. If you are interested in a in-home session feel free to reach out and we can chat
