You’re expecting – congratulations!!! You are about to embark on one of the most meaningful and important journeys of your life, parenthood! Over the course of this parenthood journey, there will be so many moments that you don’t want to forget – first steps, Kindergarten graduations, dance recitals, prom and a whole bunch of things in between. However, I would argue that one of the most important milestones to document is the newborn season. As a Dallas Fort Worth newborn photographer, I want to share with you the best time to schedule newborn photos in Dallas Fort Worth.
The Ideal Age for Newborn Photos
Let me start off by saying there is no “wrong time” to take newborn photos. I would venture to say that I consider babies to be newborns for a least a couple of months after birth. However, while there might not be a “wrong time”, I do think there is a best time to schedule newborn photos in Dallas Fort Worth, and that is 7-14 days after birth.
Some top reasonings for this are as follows:
- Baby is typically sleepier during this window. The older a baby gets, the more alert and awake they want to be. So, if you schedule your newborn photos immediately after birth, you are more likely to have a snoozy baby on your hands.
- It is easier to get the positioning you want at this age. While I do not do “posed” newborn photos, there are still certain holds that I like parents to try or certain positions I like to try to get newborns into, and the younger they are, the more “willing” they are to participate. The older the baby is, the more opinions they acquire 😉.
- There are less disruptions to routine during this period. If you have had a newborn before, you know how important schedules can be, but you also probably know that schedules don’t tend to pan out until a few months down the road. Those first couple of weeks you are living in newborn bliss and time is fluid.
Older Baby? No Problem!
If you are reading this and your baby is already past the 14 day mark, don’t worry – you can still schedule newborn photos, and they will be beautiful! There are just a few more factors to consider when booking past the 2 week mark. There are also some perks to waiting, too!
Some of the more significant differences when booking past 14 days:
- Baby is more alert! If you are wanting your baby to be awake for the majority of the session, waiting until they are a little bit older would be ideal.
- You are going to get more eye contact and wiggly stretches! Again, an older baby is a more alert baby that is capable of making connections with parents.
- These sessions tend to be a little less posed and more baby-led. More alert babies mean more opinionated and a greater need to go with the flow. While this can be a negative or a positive, it really just depends on your preference!
Some people choose to wait until past the two week mark for newborn photos, but this can also be advised for family’s who have had a NICU stay, a complicated delivery, or babies who suffer from more severe cases of jaundice.
No matter why you end up booking photos past this 7-14 day period, your photos can be just as beautiful and meaningful. After all the BEST time to schedule newborn photos in Dallas Fort Worth, is time that works best for your family.
When to Book Your Newborn Photographer in Dallas Fort Worth
The “what to do before baby” checklist is long, I know first hand! There are some things that really can’t be checked off until the end of your pregnancy (like buying all the things on your baby registry), but booking your newborn photographer doesn’t have to be a last minute thing. In fact, I would highly recommend you don’t wait until the last minute!
Ideal time to book: your second trimester!
The second trimester is a great time to inquire with newborn photographers. This allows adequate time for you to explore all your options and get a good feel for photographer’s personalities. When you wait until the last minute you end up having to rush your choice and might end up going with someone that isn’t the best fit. If you inquire during the second trimester, your photographer will thank you, too! As a photographer, I like to get to know my clients before their session arrives, and this allows adequate time for thorough conversations and a chance to plan properly.
Already in your third trimester? That’s okay – you are still ahead of the game! If baby isn’t here yet, you still have plenty of time to get on someone’s calendar. The main problem with this is that there is no guarantee that your first choice photographer has availability.
How Does Scheduling Actually Work?
Scheduling a newborn session ahead of time can feel a bit overwhelming because there is no way to know exactly when your baby will arrive. But that’s okay! Most photographers (myself included) go by due date. Once you have confirmed that you would like to book, I use your due date as a placeholder on my calendar and assume that your actual session date will fall within 1-2 weeks after that. If baby is early, most people tend to still need that extra time to adjust – whether that be at home or a NICU stay.
Being a Dallas Fort Worth photographer, my calendar fluctuates based on the season. My calendar is typically fuller during the spring months of March, April, and May as well as the fall months of October and November. If you are due during these busier months, the earlier you inquire about a newborn session, the likelier it will be that I am available.
Frequently Asked Questions about Best Time to Schedule Newborn Photos
Q: Is three weeks too late for newborn photos?
A: Absolutely not! I personally think any session can be considered “newborn” up until the 2 month mark.
Q: What is my baby arrives very early or very late?
A: Baby’s come on their own time, we all know that – and that is totally fine! If you have signed a contract with me and paid your invoice, I will make time for you! If your baby arrives early, you will probably need some extra time to prep anyways. If your baby is late, we will just aim to shoot on the earlier end of the postpartum window.
Q: Can siblings be included?
A: Definitely! While I do make sure I get some solo shots of baby, the majority of the session will focus on the whole family unless you have requested otherwise! I am all about connection, and love highlighting sibling relationships!
Q: What if my baby won’t sleep?
A: I have some tricks up my sleeve to help baby fall asleep, but even if they don’t, the session can still be great! Your baby doesn’t have to sleep the whole time to have a “successful” newborn session.