Hello lovely! If you’re new here, I’m Lucy – your maternity, newborn, baby, and family photographer based in York, North Yorkshire. I’m here to share top tips and gorgeous photos to make your parenting journey even more special. Today, let’s chat about the best time to schedule your newborn photography session.

Understanding the ideal age for newborn photos (5-10 days)

Capturing your newborn within the first two weeks – ideally between 7 and 10 days after birth (but anything from 5 to 14 works!) – is perfect for those sleepy, curled-up poses. I know that sounds really early.. and when they arrive you’ll feel like they are going to stay still and snoozy forever.. but within a few weeks, those wake windows become bigger and bigger and they start to be much less easy to settle!

During this period, babies are still in that gorgeous sleepy, and scrunchy phase, making it easier to capture those sleepy poses.

Flexibility for premature babies or NICU stays

If your little one arrives early or spends time in the NICU, don’t worry! Newborn sessions can be adjusted accordingly.

For preterm babies, it’s often best to schedule the session once they’ve been cleared by doctors to leave the hospital.

In most cases, once baby has been cleared by their doctors to leave the hospital, it would be ideal to get them in for their session as soon as possible, again, to ensure that scrunch! Just because they are early doesn’t mean it will last longer as their legs get used to having all that space very quickly.

Why early booking is recommended during pregnancy (yep, you read that right!)

To secure your preferred date, I recommend booking your newborn photography session after your 20-week scan.

This allows us to pencil in a tentative date based on your due date, ensuring availability during that ideal 7-10 day window. Once your baby arrives, we can adjust the session date as needed.

How to accommodate growth spurts and changes

Babies grow and change rapidly in their first weeks. When both of my girls were born, I absolutely refused to believe they were going to change so quickly. My second one surprised me even more.. my brain had COMPLETELY erased the knowledge that she wouldn’t be tiny for long.

By scheduling the session early, we capture those fleeting newborn characteristics before they begin stretching out and becoming more alert!

However, if unforeseen circumstances arise, we can adapt the session to accommodate your baby’s development and ensure beautiful images at any stage.

Adjusting timelines for twins or multiples

For families welcoming multiples, scheduling can be a liiiiiiiiiittle more complex so I recommend booking as early as possible to allow for flexibility!

If your twins or multiples are born prematurely, we can adjust the session timing based on their adjusted age and individual circumstances to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for everyone. So fear not, there is always wiggle room!

If you’re expecting and considering a newborn photoshoot in the Yorkshire region, I’d love to help you capture these precious early moments. Feel free to reach out, and let’s create something beautiful together! Feel free to explore my website for more information and to see some of the maternity photography I’ve captured. Have questions? Send me a little message here, lovely! I’d love to hear from you.

With love,

Lucy xx