1. Ensure Your Photographer is Available: A photographer's schedule can fill up quickly, and only a limited number of sessions can be taken in a month. It's best to book early to ensure you get what you want.

In order to provide the best service to my newborn clients, I only take 5 newborn photography sessions per month. By booking early, you can secure a spot on the calendar and ensure that the perfect newborn photography timeframe of 7-14 days old.

Booking your maternity and newborn sessions with the same photographer makes the most sense. This is especially true if you have already worked with the photographer. There are several benefits to this, including:

• You already know and trust the photographer, and they are familiar with your preferences.
• The style for both sessions will be cohesive.
• Many photographers offer discounts when booking more than one session.

Regardless, I recommend booking your newborn photographer during your second trimester.

2. Check it Off the List Before Baby Arrives: Removes the Stress: Becoming pregnant brings many new responsibilities and decisions, and the to-do list can quickly become overwhelming. Booking your session early allows you to check an important item off the list and put all the planning in the hands of the photographer.

Once the baby arrives, it can be easy to let important milestones pass by uncelebrated in the chaos of everyday life. Booking your session in advance helps relieve stress and ensure that your memories are preserved. It is also important to note that not all babies arrive on their due date, and some may arrive earlier. Booking your newborn session in advance helps ensure that you don't miss the optimal timeframe for newborn photography (5-14 days after birth).

3. Plan Financially: Babies can be expensive, and from diapers, clothing, hospital costs, and more, it is important to plan financially for your newborn session. By booking while you are still pregnant, you have several months to save for the photographer of your dreams.

4. Time Moves Fast with a Baby: Do not wait until your baby arrives to start looking for a newborn photographer. Your little one will never be this small again, and too many moms wait until the "perfect time" for photos, only to miss out because their kids have changed so fast. Booking your newborn session in advance ensures that you have the opportunity to be photographed with your baby at this stage.

Only 5% of babies arrive on their due date, and a healthy, full-term baby can be born at any time during a 5-week span.

When you book your newborn session, you are reserving a spot on the photographer's calendar based on your due date. The actual session is not scheduled until after the baby is born. The photographer will ask you to let them know when the baby has arrived, and then they will schedule the exact session date and time. This requires some flexibility from the photographer, which is why it is so important to book in advance. Photographers can only book a limited number of flexible sessions.

5. Because You Deserve It: Mama, you deserve all of this and more. Your motherhood journey is a story that you will carry with you for a lifetime, and preserving memories from this story allows you to reflect on those beautiful moments for years to come.