How Do I Reserve a Date for My Newborn Photography Session When You Never Know Exactly When the Baby Will Arrive?
Babies definitely like to keep us on our toes—always guessing exactly when they’ll arrive and make their big debut! Betting on the big day may be fun, but it can unfortunately make choosing the perfect date to capture their newborn photography session nearly impossible.
The good news: There’s a certain science behind reserving a date for your newborn photography session. After photographing so many newborns over the years, I have created a calculated method for choosing the date! With a little bit of math, a lot of help from your doctor, and plenty of keeping in touch towards the end of your pregnancy, we can secure the perfect date even months before the birth date when you’re ready to book! Here’s how…
Scheduling Your Newborn Photography Session
First, I feel it’s important to note that newborn photos are best captured between 5-14 days after birth. Many times, expecting parents assume they’ll have to wait until the baby arrives to start looking for newborn photographers for their newborn pictures. But not only is this not the case, but it can set you up for photography failure. In reality, you should be reserving your newborn photography session at the end of your second trimester so you don’t miss this precious 5-to-14-day window..
Here is where a little bit of math kicks in: During my initial call with you, I will find out your exact due date. Then, I will use that date to calculate your newborn photography session by actually place a hold on two tentative dates. Using your exact due for when your baby will actually arrive, giving you a couple days in the hospital and a couple days at home to recoup, I place a hold in my calendar for seven days after your expected due date and the second hold on 10 days after your due date. This way, if your baby arrives on time, or even a little late, we are covered.
Here is where help from you doctor kicks in: Once you start your weekly doctor’s appointments, from 36 weeks on, it is important to let me know on how your ob thinks you’re progressing. Each ob is different. Some will just measure you through the end of your pregnancy, while others will actually check to see if you’re dilated. Regardless of their chosen method, we will use the information your ob provides to help us make a decision on whether the tentative dates we selected need to be rescheduled.
Like I said, you will also need to make sure we keep in good touch. As you pre-pack your bags for the hospital, you should also decide who to have on your first-to-contact list when your baby arrives—and your photographer (aka me!) is a must add! It’s important for me to know when your baby has arrived. This way, I can select one of the two tentative dates we reserved for your newborn photography session and even determine a time before you leave the hospital.
By working together alongside your doctor, it’s easy to reserve your newborn photography session! Taking portraits of your new family is likely to be one of the most important things you will capture in your entire life.It’s worth planning for something so important! We will work together every step of the way, from choosing your tentative dates to designing custom scenes that will complement your home decor. You will be able to create portraits that will melt your heart for years to come by working with Light & Grace Photography!
Get in touch if you’re interested in capturing newborn portraits. I’d love to hear all about your pregnancy! Please take a moment to fill out the contact form below so I can reach out and say hi!
