Five Things You Might Not Know About Newborn Photography

Having a baby opens up a whole new world of possibilities that you need to explore – from car seats and travel systems, to childcare options, to finding your kind of antenatal class and so much more.

Newborn photography is another one of those things that you might find yourself researching. And as you start to explore you’ll no doubt have some questions. After all, booking a newborn photo shoot isn’t something you do every day, and I’m sure you’ll want to understand how it all works before you book.

So in this article I’m sharing the answers to five of the questions I’m often asked about booking a newborn photography session at my studio.

Let’s get started….

1.The Ideal Time for a Newborn Session is 5 to 14 Days Old

Timing is crucial when it comes to newborn photography, and the ideal window for a session is when your baby is between 5 and 14 days old. 

In this early window, babies are generally more sleepy and naturally inclined to curl up in positions reminiscent of their time in the womb.

As a result, they feel comfortable and relaxed throughout the shoot, enabling us to capture curly, sleepy photographs.

Related Article: What’s the best age for baby photography?

2.It’s Best To Book Your Session A Couple Of Months Before Your Baby Is Born To Ensure Availability

Because newborn sessions happen so early in your baby’s life, it’s best to book before your baby is born to make sure I’ll have availability when they arrive.

Every week I receive messages from families whose baby has already been born, asking if there’s space for a newborn session. And whilst I will always do my best to accommodate sessions at short notice, it isn’t always possible.

To make sure you secure a spot for your newborn session, it’s recommended to book at least a couple of months before your baby arrives.

You can reserve your session up to 6 months prior to your due date, and lots of families book just after the 20 week scan.

When you make your booking, I’ll take note of your estimated due date and ask you to notify me when your baby is born. We’ll then confirm the exact date of your session when your baby is born.

I only book a small number of newborn sessions each month, and this means that I can keep my diary nice and flexible. So whether your baby is born a little earlier or later than expected we can make sure the session falls within the ideal 5 to 14-day window.

Related Article: When to book your newborn photo shoot

3.Newborn Sessions Can Last For Up To Four Hours

A newborn session typically lasts between two and four hours, but this isn’t because we need all that time to capture photographs.

Rather, this duration allows me to work at a gentle pace that aligns with your baby’s needs. Whilst some babies occasionally snooze through the whole session, most babies need a break or two for feeding, nappy changes, or comforting cuddles with you. 

By allowing plenty of time and working to your baby’s pace, the session is a relaxed and calm experience where both you and your baby can feel at ease.

4. Many Newborn Babies Will Have Some Spotty or Flaky Skin On The Day Of Their Session

Many newborn babies have some spotty, flaky, or blotchy skin in the early weeks when they visit the studio.

These temporary skin conditions are part of their natural development, but can cause some parents to worry because they don’t want them to appear in the photographs.

This is completely understandable, and with parents’ permission, I retouch these temporary flakes, blemishes or blotchy areas when I edit the photographs after the session.

Related article: My baby has spotty or flaky skin. Should we postpone our newborn session?

5.Time For Family Photographs Is Included In Every Newborn Session

Many parents ask whether there is an additional fee for including family photographs in their session. The answer is no.

For me, capturing the bond between you and your new baby is an essential part of the experience. Welcoming a new baby to your family is a special time for everyone involved, and documenting it through family portraits is a must. 

Some families also choose to include extended family in their session, and it’s not uncommon for grandparents to join us for part of the session so that they can have portraits with their new grandchild too.

Have More Questions?

I hope that this article has helped to answer some of the questions that you have about booking a newborn photo shoot with me.

What other questions do you have? Send me a message or click on the link below to find out more about booking your baby’s newborn session:

Click here to learn more about booking a newborn photo shoot.