When to Book my Newborn Photoshoot?

Let's start off with the ideal timing to booking your newborn photoshoot. Most expecting moms start feeling better as they get past first trimester.  Second trimester is an excellent time to start looking at ideas for baby's impeding arrival! Having the perfect newborn photoshoot in Toronto means you'll want to do some research and see what type of photography best suits yours style. For some, lifestyle and unposed portraits is what they love. For our clients and in-studio newborn photoshoots, we love posing baby into adorable set ups and create a custom and unique portraits that help tell your family story.  

The ideal time to book is near the end of your second trimester so you have time to plan out your session with your Toronto newborn photographer, and you can get your maternity portraits taken at the same time!

2) Scheduling a newborn photoshoot - Full term babies

Congratulations! You made it to 37 weeks and beyond in your pregnancy! In this scenario, typically your newborn photoshoot would be scheduled within 5-14 days of birth.  This is because newborns are used to being sleepy all the time and they enjoy a nice comfortable swaddle just like they were in mom's belly. As they are very flexible at birth, it helps to ensure they feel comfortable in the various poses and props used during their newborn photoshoots.

One reason why newborn photography prefer sleepy newborns is because that is the safest state for baby. As you may know, newborns are still learning how to control their limbs so it can be risky to pose baby while they are awake, even with an assistant or spotter right next time baby while being photographed. 

3) Scheduling a newborn photoshoot - Premature babies:

Sometimes babies have a mind of their own, and they are the bosses in determining when to arrive! When babies arrive earlier than 37 weeks, many tend to be on the smaller side, and may be required to stay in the hospital.  There is no rush to schedule a newborn photoshoot within the typical sweet spot of 2 weeks as they are still gestationally, not yet a full-term infant.  

The timing of the newborn photoshoot can be adjusted to prioritize baby's health and well-being.  Ideally, it is still an excellent time to schedule the newborn photoshoot when baby is gestationally full term between 37-40 weeks. 

4) Scheduling a newborn photoshoot - 2 weeks and older

As a mother of two, I understand sometimes life can become a bit more chaotic and those early days of having a newborn just flies by! 

In our portrait studio, we've had older newborns up to 5-6weeks old and have still scheduled a newborn photoshoot in capturing their beautiful little features.  While baby will have grown a bit more, may have started to understand their preferences, we still encourage parents to schedule a newborn photoshoot as soon as possible. 

Sometimes poses may need to be adjusted at the newborn photoshoot to ensure baby is comfortable.  But really, each stage of baby's growth is as precious as the one before, and the ones that will come. Stunning portraits can be created of older newborns in capturing all the perfect baby features.