When Should You Book Your Newborn Photos?

If you're expecting a baby, you may be wondering when you're actually supposed to schedule newborn photos, especially when you don't know exactly when your baby will arrive.

At Grace & Jas Photography, we recommend reserving your newborn session while you're still pregnant, with your session planned for about 1–2 weeks after your due date.

Our ideal newborn photography window is around 7–21 days old, but here's the most important thing to remember:

That's an ideal window, not a deadline. ♡

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The Best Age for Newborn Photos

During the first few weeks, babies tend to be sleepier and more flexible, making it easier to photograph some of those sweet, curled-up newborn poses.

That's why we typically recommend photographing your baby between 7–21 days old.

But babies don't suddenly stop being newborn-session worthy after three weeks!

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What If My Baby Is Older Than 3 Weeks?

Please don't worry! Grace & Jas Photography specializes in older newborns, too.

Older babies are often more alert, so we may capture more wide-awake portraits and allow posing to be a little more baby-led.

And sometimes our older newborns surprise us and happily settle right into those sleepy newborn poses anyway!

If your baby has already arrived and you think you waited too long, please don't let that stop you from booking.

Beautiful newborn portraits are still possible. ♡

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What If Baby Comes Early or Late?

No worries. Your newborn session date is flexible.

When booking during pregnancy, we recommend choosing a date approximately 1–2 weeks after your due date.

If baby decides to make an earlier or later entrance, you'll be able to reschedule your session through our private booking portal.

Need a specific weekday? Just reach out! Weekday newborn sessions are available by special request, and we're happy to open the studio for your family when availability allows.

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When Should I Reserve My Newborn Session?

Our calendar opens approximately 90 days in advance, so around 30 weeks of pregnancy is a great time to start looking at newborn session dates.

If you're already visiting Grace & Jas for maternity portraits, we can also get your newborn session reserved while you're here.

A $35 reservation retainer secures your session, and because your date can be adjusted if baby's arrival changes, there's no need to know baby's exact birthday ahead of time.

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What Should I Bring to My Newborn Session?

This is the easy part. ♡

Before your session, you'll receive a Newborn Prep Guide so you'll never be left wondering what to bring, what to wear, or what to expect.

For most newborn sessions, you'll simply need:

• Your normal diaper bag
• Milk or feeding necessities
• Baby's pacifier, if they use one
• Clothing for parents and siblings if included
• Baby dressed in a simple white or neutral onesie

We'll handle the rest.

When you arrive, you'll have space to put your belongings down, settle in and relax. We'll choose your favorite swaddle colors from our studio collection, and if baby needs to eat before we begin, baby eats.

There's no rush.

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What If My Baby Won't Sleep?

That's completely okay!

Some of our parents' favorite newborn portraits are actually the wide-awake ones.

Most babies eventually fall asleep after being swaddled, rocked and settled, but we never force a session around a particular pose.

Baby is the boss of the show. ♡

If baby needs to eat, we stop. If baby needs a break, we take one. If baby doesn't like a particular position, we move on.

Our posing is gentle and baby-led. We never force babies into poses they aren't comfortable with.

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What Happens During a Newborn Session?

Newborn sessions generally last around 1–1.5 hours, and we do not go beyond two hours.

When family and sibling portraits are included, we photograph those first. This keeps little siblings from having to wait through baby's entire session and allows them to relax once their part is finished.

After family portraits, we'll focus completely on baby.

Parents don't need to know how to pose their newborn or keep baby asleep for us. Jasmin handles baby throughout the session while you get a chance to sit back and relax.

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Ready to Plan Your Newborn Session?

If you're still pregnant, we recommend reserving your newborn session around 30 weeks, or whenever our 90-day calendar opens for your expected session date.

Plan your portraits for approximately 7–21 days after birth, knowing that your reservation can be moved if baby's arrival doesn't go according to schedule.

And if you're reading this with a one-month-old or an even older newborn, don't assume you've missed your opportunity.

You haven't. ♡

Grace & Jas Photography welcomes both brand-new and older newborns, adapting each session to the baby in front of us.