When Should You Book a Newborn Photographer?

If professional newborn photographs are important to you, one of the first questions you may have is: when should you actually book a newborn photographer?

The simple answer is that most parents are better off beginning their search during pregnancy rather than waiting until after their baby arrives. But there is no single week of pregnancy that every photographer recommends.

When Should You Book a Newborn Photographer?

Advice varies between photographers, but the recurring recommendation is to organise your newborn photographer before your baby is born.

Melbourne photographer Aga Fitzroy of The Fitzroys Photography recommends getting in touch during pregnancy, ideally around the 20-week scan.

Kelly Jordan recommends researching and booking at around 12–20 weeks of pregnancy, while Susan Bradfield recommends reserving a newborn session as early as possible and ideally during the second trimester.

Sydney photographer Samantha Bryce also encourages families to enquire early, explaining that newborn sessions can sometimes be booked several months ahead.

There isn't one magic week that applies to every photographer. What matters is recognising that popular newborn photographers often plan their calendars well before a baby's arrival.

What Do Australian Newborn Photographers Recommend?

Here are several examples of booking advice shared through BabyInfo's photographer interviews.

Photographer Insight

Kelly Jordan Photography

Melbourne photographer Kelly Jordan recommends researching and booking at around 12–20 weeks of pregnancy.

Kelly generally photographs newborns at approximately 8–21 days old. The estimated due date helps guide her calendar, while the actual session date can be adjusted once baby arrives.

Photography by Kelly Jordan Photography · Read the BabyInfo interview

Why Book During Pregnancy?

The biggest reason is availability.

Babies don't always arrive exactly on their expected due dates, so newborn photographers often need flexibility in their calendars.

Booking during pregnancy also gives you more time to compare photographers properly instead of simply choosing whoever happens to have a last-minute opening.

• Photography style
• Newborn experience
• Studio versus in-home sessions
• Whether parents and siblings are included
• Session length
• Package inclusions
• Pricing
• Location
• Availability around your due date

How Can You Book If You Don't Know When Your Baby Will Arrive?

You don't need to know your baby's exact birthday before reserving a photographer.

Many newborn photographers use your estimated due date as a guide and confirm or adjust the final session after baby arrives.

The Fitzroys Photography, for example, reserves space around the expected due date before arranging the actual photography session after birth.

When Are Newborn Photos Usually Taken?

This is where booking timing and session timing need to be separated.

You may reserve your photographer several months before your baby arrives but have the actual photography session during the first few weeks after birth.

Kelly Jordan recommends photographing newborns at approximately 8–21 days old, while other photographers may prefer slightly earlier or later depending on their photography style.

Photographer Insight

Susan Bradfield Photography

Melbourne photographer Susan Bradfield recommends booking newborn photography as early as possible and ideally during the second trimester.

Susan also notes that session dates can be adjusted depending on when baby arrives, and that it can still be worth enquiring later because occasional last-minute availability may arise.

Photography by Susan Bradfield Photography · Read the BabyInfo interview

Is My Baby Too Old for Newborn Photos?

Not necessarily.

Traditional posed newborn photographers may favour the earlier newborn period, while lifestyle and natural photographers may have greater flexibility.

Slightly older babies can also bring eye contact, facial expressions and early personality into the photographs.

If your baby has already arrived, don't automatically assume you've missed your chance. Contact the photographer whose work you love and ask what they recommend.

Photographer Insight

Samantha Bryce Photography

Sydney photographer Samantha Bryce encourages parents to enquire as soon as they know they would like a newborn session.

Samantha generally prefers photographing newborns within approximately 14 days of birth, but she also explains that older babies can still be photographed beautifully.

Her approach is baby-led, meaning the session adapts to feeding, settling, sleeping and what baby is comfortable doing rather than following a rigid timetable.

Photography by Samantha Bryce Photography · Read Samantha's BabyInfo interview

Does Photography Style Affect the Timing?

Posed Newborn Photography

Posed newborn photography may involve carefully positioning baby and using wraps, blankets, backgrounds or studio setups. Photographers offering this style may prefer babies to be photographed relatively early.

Lifestyle Newborn Photography

Lifestyle sessions tend to focus on natural interaction between baby and family, including cuddles, feeding, siblings and relaxed moments together.

Natural or Baby-Led Photography

Baby-led photographers adapt the session around the baby's needs rather than expecting every baby to follow the same sequence of photographs.

There isn't a universally better style. The right choice is the one that matches how you'd like to remember this stage of your family life.

How Early Is Too Early to Enquire?

For most families, starting your research during pregnancy is unlikely to be too early.

Kelly Jordan suggests around 12–20 weeks, Susan Bradfield recommends ideally booking during the second trimester, Aga Fitzroy recommends getting in touch around the 20-week scan, and Samantha Bryce encourages families to enquire as soon as they know newborn photography is something they want.

Starting early simply gives you time to explore portfolios, understand different approaches and find a photographer whose work genuinely connects with you.

What Should You Ask Before Booking?

• When do you recommend booking?
• What age do you prefer to photograph newborns?
• How do you manage bookings around due dates?
• What happens if my baby arrives early or late?
• Can parents and siblings be included?
• How long does a session normally take?
• Do you provide wraps, outfits or props?
• What should we bring?
• How are the finished photographs delivered?
• What safety practices do you follow?

Should You Bring Anything Special?

Always follow your photographer's guidance first because every studio and session works differently.

Some photographers provide wraps, blankets, outfits and accessories. Others encourage parents to bring something sentimental from home.

Susan Bradfield, for example, notes that some families bring meaningful items such as a special baby blanket.

A personalised blanket, baby's name plaque or treasured family keepsake can add a meaningful element to photographs while remaining something your family keeps long after the newborn stage.

So, When Should You Book?

There isn't one exact week recommended by every photographer.

Some suggest the second trimester, some recommend around the 20-week stage and others simply encourage parents to enquire as early as possible.

The key is understanding that booking your photographer and scheduling the actual newborn session are two separate stages.

Your estimated due date can often be used to reserve availability, while the final session timing can be organised once your baby arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions