Hey mama! Congratulations on your pregnancy! As you are crossing off your nesting checklist you might be wondering, “When should I book newborn photos?” The short answer is: sooner than you think!

The period immediately following your baby’s arrival will be asleep deprived blur. Booking early means you’ll get one item checked off your list and ensues you’ll have a spot on my calendar. Here is everything you need to know about the ideal booking and session timeline for your newborn photos in Tampa.

When should I book newborn photos? Start in your second trimester

I recommend that you contact me to secure your session between 16 and 28 weeks of your pregnancy which is your second trimester. This early booking window is critical for two main reasons:

Limited availability when you’re booking a flexible spot – To provide the best service and flexibility around newborn session, I limited the number of sessions I take each month. Babies rarely arrive exactly on time, so by booking early, you are not setting a firm appointment, you are reserving a flexible spot on my calendar so when baby does arrive you have plenty of dates to choose from. How it works: We pencil in your due date. Once baby is born, we adjust the actual session date to fall within the optimal window for photos.
Reduced stress – Asking yourself, “When should I book newborn photos?” during your second trimester allows you to get all the paperwork handled so you can focus on getting ready for baby.

Why we aim for 7-21 days

While we can photograph your baby at any age within the first 2 months, the vast majority of those classic, sleepy poses you see in my Tampa newborn portfolio are captured within the first 7-21 days of life.

During this window, newborns sleep more deeply, making it easier to pose. They also still have the fetal curl, which allows me to gently and safely place them into those adorable poses. After two weeks, they begin to stretch out and become more resistant.

It’s never too late to capture beautiful photos! If you are contacting me after the 2 week window, we can still have a good session. The key difference is that baby might be more awake rather than deep sleep and they might not do the curled-up poses. We will adapt the session to see what baby is comfortable with and capture some stunning portraits!

Step by step booking timeline:

To ensure you get a spot, follow this simple timeline for those wondering, “When should I book newborn photos?”:

16-28 weeks in term – Find a photographer who’s style you love, reach out, and place your retainer
30-36 weeks in term – You should receive a “what to wear” guide to prep for your session
It’s baby time! Send your photographer a quick email within 48 hours of delivery to let them know baby is here!
Now it’s time to schedule! Your photographer will reach out with the next available dates in that prime window to book your session appointment.

Wondering “When should I book newborn photos?” The time is now, don’t miss out on photos!

The newborn stage is beautiful, but it passes fast! Don’t let the thought of planning or the rush of last minute keep you from preserving these memories with your baby. Book your photographer during your pregnancy so that you can relax and enjoy the moment when it comes.

If you are expecting in the Tampa, Brandon, or Clearwater area, don’t wait! Secure your Tampa newborn photography session with me today!