One of the questions I’m asked most often by expecting parents is, “When should I book my newborn photographer?”
The short answer is: as early as you can, ideally during your pregnancy.
Newborn photography is a little different from booking other types of photography because your baby’s arrival date is never completely predictable. Rather than choosing a specific date months in advance, newborn photographers usually book you based on your estimated due date and then adjust once your baby arrives.
When is the best time to book?
I recommend getting in touch during your second or early third trimester, ideally around 20–30 weeks pregnant.
You don't necessarily need to have everything figured out at this point. You can simply make an enquiry, have a chat about what you're looking for, and secure your place around your due date.
This is particularly important if you have your heart set on a specific photographer. Experienced newborn photographers often take a limited number of newborn bookings each month so there is enough flexibility around early or late arrivals.
By booking during pregnancy, you can relax knowing your photographer is expecting your baby too.
But what if I'm already close to my due date?
Don't panic!
If you're already 30, 35 or even 38 weeks pregnant, it's still worth getting in touch.
I keep a little flexibility in my calendar wherever possible because babies have absolutely no interest in following our carefully organised plans!
If I have availability around your due date, I can often accommodate a last-minute booking.
And if your baby has already arrived, get in touch anyway. I may still have a suitable opening for you.
When should your newborn session take place?
For those beautiful sleepy, curled-up newborn photographs, I generally recommend having your session when your baby is around 5–14 days old.
This is not a strict deadline. Every baby is different, and there are plenty of beautiful photographs to be captured outside this window.
Some babies arrive early, some arrive late, and some simply need a little more time before they're comfortable being photographed. The most important thing is that your baby is healthy and that we work at their pace.
There is no rushing a newborn session.
What happens once your baby arrives?
This is one of the lovely things about newborn photography.
You don't need to know exactly when your session will be months in advance.
When your baby arrives, simply send me a message to let me know they're here. We'll then look at the upcoming days and find a time that works.
I photograph newborn sessions during the morning, when babies are generally at their happiest and sleepiest, and allow plenty of time for feeding, cuddles, settling and changing.
Your baby is very much the boss.
If they need a feed, we stop.
If they need a cuddle, we stop.
If they need a little extra settling, we take the time.
The session isn't about forcing your baby into a schedule. It's about creating beautiful photographs while keeping the experience calm and relaxed for both baby and parents.
Why booking early matters
There are a few reasons I recommend booking your newborn photographer during pregnancy.
You get first choice of availability.
Newborn photographers can only photograph a certain number of babies each month. Booking early means your due date is reserved in the calendar before those spaces fill.
You have one less thing to think about.
The final weeks of pregnancy can become incredibly busy. Having your photography already organised means you can simply focus on preparing for your baby.
You can plan the experience you actually want.
Booking early gives us time to talk about your preferences, the colours and styling you love, whether you'd like family and sibling photographs, and what you can expect from your session.
You don't have to know exactly what you want yet.
A lot of parents come to me without knowing what they want their photographs to look like. That's completely okay. Part of my job is helping you through those decisions.
What if you're booking maternity photos too?
If you're considering maternity photography as well, I recommend booking both at the same time.
Your maternity session is usually photographed around 33–35 weeks, when your bump is beautifully established but you're generally still comfortable enough to enjoy the experience.
I love when maternity and newborn sessions are booked together because it creates a beautiful story of this little chapter, from your pregnancy through to finally meeting your baby.
My biggest piece of advice?
Don't wait until your baby is born to start looking for your photographer.
You might find someone who has a last-minute opening, but you also might discover that the photographer you've fallen in love with is already fully booked.
Booking during pregnancy doesn't mean you need to have everything planned down to the last detail. It simply means you've secured your place and can leave the rest until your baby decides to make their grand entrance.
And if you're reading this while pregnant and thinking, “I probably should book someone…”, this is your sign to send that enquiry.
I'd love to hear what you're expecting, when your baby is due, and what you're hoping to create.
White Locket Photography offers newborn photography from my private Cambridge studio in the Waikato, with a calm, baby-led approach and plenty of time for those little moments in between.
Families travel to my Cambridge studio from across the Waikato, including Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Morrinsville and Matamata, so if you're looking for a newborn photographer in the Waikato, I'd love to chat about creating something beautiful for your family.
Your baby will only be this tiny once. Let's make sure you remember it.
