Booking a Newborn Session.

Just ONE of the many mysteries for expecting parents seems to be figuring out how and when to reach out to a newborn photographer. There are so many questions you may have thought while anticipating your new bundle of joy. What car seat may be the safest, what diapers you will use, where will the baby sleep or how you should prepare for the birth?! When you’re expecting a baby there are so many things that you need to plan, think about and prepare for. 

You see all these adorable portraits of babies all over your Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest pages, and realize that you want images like that of your own baby. You might have even heard that “it’s so important” to get newborn photos taken in the first couple weeks, but how can you possibly schedule a photo shoot with just a due date? I mean after all, you are not entirely sure when your baby will arrive so how can you book a session for them? In this blog I will explain why it’s important to schedule your newborn session in advance and the best time to do so.

DETAILS
Why should you book early?

When is best to book a newborn session?

What happens if baby is born early/late?

Baby is already here, is too late to book?

Why is it recommended to shoot so early?

Connor + Newborn

Jagger + Newborn

Baby Sanders

Luke + Newborn

Hopefully all the tips and explanations make you feel a little more at ease and help you prepare for your newborn session. You will have plenty of things to stress over as you get ready to bring your little miracle into the world, but making sure that you have someone ready to take gorgeous images of this time in your life should not be one of them!

Reasons to book early:

We can book your birth and maternity session, too

• Another benefit by contacting your photographer early is getting a birth and/or maternity session set up and can save you some money! Here at Lynette Wagg Photography I offer ‘Grow with me’ and ‘fresh 48’ package options which is cheaper than booking sessions separately.

You aren’t the only one with a due date in 7 or 8-ish months

• The large majority of my clients book their session with me within the first few months after learning they’re pregnant because they’re repeat clients who know how challenging it can be to find the best newborn photographers in a short span of time. And the truth is, those months will pass faster than you think, so why not tackle it now?

• By contacting your newborn photographer right away, you’re almost guaranteed to get your session on the books. Waiting too long could mean that we simply cannot squeeze you in – and that is heartbreaking for everyone.

Spread the word for Baby Shower gifts

• Did you know most professional photographers offer gift certificate options? What better gift than to give something that someone will love and cherish forever. Several Clients have wound up with a free or mostly paid for session! Some even received additional credit to print the amazing images we created.

Develop a comfortable rapport with the photographer

• One of the best ways to create beautiful, natural images of your and your newborn is to have a comfortable, trusting relationship with the photographer.  Scheduling your sessions in advance give us time to get to know one another. We can discuss which images are your favorite from my portfolio and talk about ideas for potential poses, color, props and backdrops.

• There is not doubt that babies are energetics sponges so the more comfortable you are with the photographer, the more comfortable your baby will be with them too – and that makes for some amazing images.

Spare yourself the regret and disappointment

• I cannot tell you how many clients I have had who come in with Baby #2 mourning the fact they didn’t honor their instincts and get professional newborn photos of their first child.

• First-time pregnancy is a glorious, yet stressful time. You simple do not know what exactly you’ll want or need until you want or need it. Thus, these unknowing parents who skipped the urge to book a professional session and wind up regretting it when they see the albums and wall art in the homes of their new parent friends.

When is best to book a Maternity/Newborn photographer?

• Newborn sessions take place so early on in your baby’s life, I recommend booking after the first trimester. By this time, you have a good idea of how your pregnancy is progressing. This allows plenty of time to secure a spot and to think about any preparations you might want to make before your baby arrives

What if my baby arrives early or late?

• A very common question clients ask are ‘what happens if my baby arrives early or late?’ When you book a newborn session with me, we won’t actually schedule specific a date and time at that moment. Instead, after booking, I will mark your due date in my schedule and ask that you contact me after your baby arrives. At that time, we can confirm a date and time that will work for both our schedules. If you are a planned cesarean and know the date then we will add that to my calendar at that time and I still ask that you contact me once that baby has arrived.

What if my baby has already been born? Is it too late to book?

• If your baby has already arrived but you haven’t booked your session then I highly recommend getting in touch as soon as possible to see whether or not there is availability. If another client’s baby arrived early or late, it is possible that there is space for an extra session.

Why do you schedule newborn session when babies are so young?

Every photographer is has that ‘sweet spot’ that they prefer to photography newborns at. I prefer to capture babies within 14 days old. There are several reasons why this ‘perfect window’ for newborns exists.

• The younger the babies are, the sleepier they are which means they are more likely to cooperate when getting them into ‘the perfect poses’

• As babies spend more time outside the womb, their sensory nerves in the skin begin to develop, and rapidly. This means ‘older’ newborns are much more receptive to touch and likely to wake from the slight pose adjustments.

• Finally, the longer they spend outside the womb, the less curly and posable babies get. So, if you really love the poses that capture how flexible and curled up babies can be, those poses will be more uncomfortable to babies as they get older and closer to that one-month mark.