A Complete Guide for Expecting Parents
One of the most common questions parents ask is:
“When should we book our newborn photos?”
And it’s such an important one — because timing makes all the difference in those sleepy, curled-up, perfectly posed newborn images parents fall in love with.
If you’re expecting and searching for a newborn photographer in Southern Minnesota, this guide will walk you through:
- The best age for newborn photos
- When to officially book
- What happens if baby comes early or late
- And why planning ahead matters more than most parents realize
What Is the Best Age for Newborn Photos
The ideal window for newborn photography is:
10–18 days after birth
During this stage, babies are:
- Sleepier
- Naturally curled from the womb
- More flexible for gentle posing
- Less easily startled
This is how we achieve those peaceful, cozy images where baby looks completely relaxed and content.
After about two weeks, babies become:
- More alert
- Stretchier
- More sensitive to touch and movement
We can absolutely still create beautiful images after this stage, but the style naturally shifts from deeply posed, sleepy portraits to more awake, expressive images.
If you love those classic curled-up newborn portraits, the first two weeks are the sweet spot
When Most Parents Start Searching
Here’s the part that surprises most parents:
You should book your newborn session during pregnancy.
Most families reserve their session in the second or early third trimester. This ensures:
✔️ Your due date is held on the calendar
✔️ You aren’t scrambling after baby arrives
✔️ Your photographer can plan for your session
Newborn photographers only take a limited number of due dates each month because babies rarely arrive exactly on schedule.
When you book ahead, your photographer keeps a flexible spot open around your due date and schedules the exact session once baby arrives.
If you’re looking for a maternity photographer, this is also the perfect time to get that session booked as well.
Why Booking Early Matters
Newborn photography isn’t like booking family photos months later. This window is small and can’t be repeated.
Here’s why planning ahead is so important:
1. The Newborn Stage Is Fleeting
The sleepy, curly stage lasts days — not weeks. Once baby is stretching, staying awake longer, or experiencing growth spurts, that classic newborn look changes quickly.
2. Photographers Limit Sessions
Because newborn sessions are longer and require flexibility, photographers only accept a certain number of babies each month. Waiting until baby is born can mean no availability.
3. Postpartum Is Not the Time to Plan
After birth, parents are:
- Healing
- Sleep deprived
- Adjusting to a brand new routine
Trying to research and book at that stage adds unnecessary stress.
Booking ahead lets you focus on your baby, not logistics.
What Happens If Baby Comes Early or Late?
This is a big concern for parents — and totally normal.
When you reserve a newborn session, you’re not booking a specific day. You’re booking your due date.
Here’s how it works:
- Baby arrives
- You notify your photographer within a day or two
- Your session is scheduled within the ideal newborn window
This system allows flexibility whether baby comes early, late, or right on time.
What Happens If You Miss the Newborn Window?
Life happens. Sometimes NICU stays, recovery, or simply not knowing leads to later booking.
Good news: it’s never “too late” for meaningful baby photos.
If baby is older than two weeks, sessions shift toward:
- More wrapped poses
- Parent connection images
- Awake portraits
- Natural expressions
These images are still beautiful — just a slightly different style that focuses more on baby’s emerging personality.
Why the First Photos Matter So Much
Newborn photos aren’t just about documenting what baby looked like. They capture:
- How tiny they were in your arms
- The details you’ll forget (lashes, lips, fingers)
- The beginning of your family’s story
This is the only time your baby will ever be this small, this new, this delicate.
Parents often say they didn’t realize how quickly the newborn stage passed until they looked back at their images.
Newborn Photography in Southern Minnesota
Families throughout Southern Minnesota choose professional newborn photography to preserve these first days in a way phone photos simply can’t.
A professional newborn session provides:
✔️ Safe, gentle posing
✔️ A warm, comfortable environment for baby
✔️ Styling guidance
✔️ Heirloom-quality artwork
These images become some of the most treasured photographs families own.
The Truth Parents Learn Later
You won’t regret taking newborn photos.
But many parents regret waiting.
The early days are a blur of feedings, snuggles, and adjusting to life with your new little one. Professional photos allow you to step back and hold onto the beauty of this season — even when it feels overwhelming in the moment.
When Should You Reach Out?
If you’re:
- Pregnant now
- In your second or third trimester
- Or just starting to plan
Now is the perfect time to reserve your due date.
That way, when baby arrives, everything is already taken care of.
Ready to Book Your Newborn Session?
If you’re looking for a newborn photographer in Southern Minnesota, I’d love to help you preserve these first days.
👉 Learn more about newborn sessions here: Newborn Sessions
👉 See milestone sessions for baby’s first year: Milestone Sessions
👉 Contact me to reserve your due date: Contact Me
Book early, book early, book early!
If you have any questions about a newborn photography session, please feel free to reach out to me. I’m always happy to help.
Are you ready to book your newborn session? Contact me today and reserve your date!
If you’re looking for more new parent topics, here are a few that you may find helpful:
