Booking Denver Newborn Photography
I’ll be honest, if you’re asking when you should book your Denver newborn photography session, it’s probably about time to reach out and schedule your session! It’s one of those things where “if you have to ask” then it’s probably time.
But there are a few more things to think about beyond just that you’re wondering when it’s time to book, so let’s get into the details!
Newborn sessions take place in baby’s first three weeks
And those weeks can be… a bit chaotic.
As I’m sure you know, Newborn photography is a delicate process. Not just because babies are squishy and new, but also because there’s a balance to WHEN they take place. Babies grow QUICKLY in their first few weeks, and you’ll find that what your little one looks like in their first few days (in the time we would usually do their Fresh 48 session) is very different to what they look like by their second week!
Those first few months are full of changes and growth and all kinds of milestones. There are sessions designed for all of them, but that’s not why we’re here. We’re here to talk about their newborn session. Newborn sessions are designed to take place within your baby’s first three weeks of joining your family. They’re intended to capture that squishy phase, just as their personality is starting to shine.
But that doesn’t mean you should wait until your baby is born to schedule!
Before you start thinking that you’ve got tons of time before you have to book in your newborn photography session, take a pause. If this isn’t your first time on the parenthood merry-go-round, you’ll remember (fondly, or not-so-fondly) how chaotic those first weeks are. How exhausting, and taxing, and beautiful, and magical, and overwhelming in good ways and bad ways that time period is.
So the LAST thing you want to be doing when you’re bringing your new baby home? Trying to find a Denver newborn photographer who can take on a last minute booking. So “their first three weeks” is what we’ll start with, and now we’re going to work backwards!
If when they’re born isn’t the right time, what is?
I’m guessing you’ve figured this out by now, but the right time to book a newborn session for the new addition to your family? It’s when you know you’re going to want a session. Whether that’s within the first few weeks of your pregnancy, or late in your third trimester, the moment you know you’re going to want a newborn session, reach out to your favorite photographer!
Not only does this help make sure that you don’t get caught in a mad rush to schedule in your baby’s chaotic first few weeks, it solves other problems too. The sooner you book in your session, the more certain you can be that you’ll be able to work with the photographer you WANT to work with. Some newborn photographers book out months in advance, because newborn photography isn’t always 100% timed!
Booking ahead helps you AND your photographer
When photographers offer newborn sessions, there’s a little nuance to the way we schedule them. Normally, instead of setting a strict session date, we use your due-date as a placeholder. I get questions about this a lot, and I want to clear things up! Pregnancy is unpredictable, babies are unpredictable, and birth is unpredictable. Not only that, but it’s different for everyone who goes through it, and sometimes different each time.
Babies are on their own schedule
And babies? They’re on their own schedule, that we don’t always get to control. Sometimes a new addition to your family decides to arrive early, or late – and your photographer needs to ensure they’ve budgeted time for your session regardless of changes to your new human’s schedule! When you book a newborn session, your photographer will reserve time for you in the entire region of your due date, preemptively. That way, when you reach out about your baby joining your household, they’ve not overbooked themselves and accidentally can’t create time within your baby’s first three weeks.
So booking ahead helps your photographer, as well as limiting your stress as you enter parenthood, or bring another little one into your family.
Booking ahead of time helps ensure you can plan your session
If you’re working with a photographer who focuses on Lifestyle Newborn photography (like me!) there’s going to be a bit of home prep. Not a ton, but enough that it’s going to be good for you to know ahead of time what needs to be done. Of course your photographer will walk you through what’s needed, but knowing in advance can help eliminate the stress of handling everything just after your baby is born.
The earlier you book, the easier it is to add a maternity session to your package
If you’re looking into newborn photography, it might be time to think about a maternity session, too! Maternity sessions usually take place between 32 and 36 weeks, and if you’ve not yet scheduled one (and are thinking about having one) I think you know what I’m going to say. The sooner the better!
Many photographers offer bundles of both Maternity and Newborn photography, so that you can have ease in your booking process. So if you book your newborn photo session ahead of time, you’ll be more likely to have time to add a maternity session into the mix. That way you’ll have memories of your new baby, as well as memories of the time leading up to their arrival.
Newborn Sessions should be booked as soon as you know you want one!
I know it feels like a cop-out answer, but truly: newborn photography sessions should be booked as soon as you know you’re going to want one. Booking ahead will mean that you can plan as much as possible, and secure a time with the photographer you want to work with, regardless of how busy they are. It’ll also mean that you don’t have added stress in your baby’s first few weeks!
If you’re expecting a new addition to your family, and you want to book a newborn session, reach out. I’d love to talk to you about creating a session that will meet your family’s needs, and document all of the little details so that you can remember them forever.
