If you’re an expecting mom, you may be wondering: when is the best time to schedule a newborn session? Unlike scheduling a typical family portrait session, trying to figure out when and how to schedule a newborn session can be a bit more tricky. Baby’s arrivals can be unpredictable. I’ve included some of my top tips below for scheduling a newborn portrait session.

1.) Reach out to your photographer as early as possible.

I recommend that all expecting moms book as early as possible, ideally during their second trimester. This is often not on pregnant mom’s radar so early on in the pregnancy, but if you’re able to book early, I highly recommend it! This gives enough time to establish a good relationship with your photographer, open the lines of communication, plan out your session in advance, and ensure studio availability for your due date.

2.) Ensure that your photographer will have adequate flexibility.

When booking with a newborn photographer, be sure that there is some flexibility built into the date that you select for your session. Of course, some babies arrive early and some arrive late and this can often be unpredictable. Choosing a studio that specializes in newborns or only takes on a select number of dates per month is a great way to ensure you’ll be able to have your portraits done in a flexible, timely manner.

3.) Communication is key

Establishing a relationship with your newborn photographer and practicing good communication is key to any scheduling concerns. Whether you’ve come across a medical complication, scheduled an induction or c-section, always be sure to keep your newborn photographer in the loop. Most importantly, be sure to reach out within 1-2 days after delivering your baby to let your photographer know that he or she has arrived.

4.) Aim to schedule your session 1-2 weeks after your due date as a baseline.

As stated above, many times babies arrive earlier or later than expected. However, as a baseline for reserving your session, I recommend aiming for about 1-2 weeks after your due date. I aim to see babies within 3 weeks of life so booking within this timeframe generally works well. In summary, when is the best time to schedule a newborn session? As early as possible and within a few weeks of your due date!