Babies definitely like to keep us on our toes—always guessing exactly when they’ll arrive and make their big debut! While it can be fun to place bets on the big day, it can, unfortunately, make the process of choosing the perfect date to capture their very newborn photography session feel near-impossible.
The good news: There’s a certain science behind reserving a date for your newborn photography session. After photographing newborns for a few years, I have created a calculated method for choosing a date that works like a charm almost every time! With a little bit of math, a lot a bit of medicine, and plenty of keeping in touch towards the end of your pregnancy, we can secure the perfect date months before your baby even arrives! Here’s how…
First, I feel it’s important to note that newborn photos are best captured under two weeks, with 5-10 days being the sweet spot. Many times, expecting parents assume they’ll have to wait until the baby arrives to start calling photographers to book their portraits. 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 or the very beginning of your third so that you don’t miss this precious 5-to-10-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 a lot a bit of medicine kicks in: Once you start your weekly doctor’s appointments, from 36 weeks on, it is important to update me (email is fine) on how your doctor thinks you’re progressing. Each doctor 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 doc provides you with at that appointment to help us determine if the tentative dates we selected need to be adjusted in any way. Each week, we will adjust the dates if need be.
Here is where the keeping in touch comes into play: 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 right when your baby arrives, even if it’s a quick email saying, “Baby here.” 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 even leave the hospital as new parents.
By working together alongside your doctor, it’s easy to reserve your newborn photography session! Capturing your beginning as a new family will most likely be the single most important portraits you ever capture! Something this important is worth planning for! Rest assured, I will help you every step of the way, from selecting your tentative dates to designing custom scenes to fit perfectly with your home decor. Working with Moments by Amy Photography will artfully create portraits that will melt your heart for years to come!
If you’re interested in capturing your newborn portraits let’s chat. I would 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!