If you’re expecting a baby, your to-do list probably feels never-ending. Between preparing the nursery, appointments, baby showers, and trying to remember everything you need before your little one arrives, newborn photos can easily become one of those “Oh! We need to book that!” things.
As a Kansas City newborn photographer, one of the questions I hear most often is: When should we book our newborn session?
The short answer? Earlier than you might think—but it’s also never too late to ask.
When is the best time to book newborn photos?
I recommend reserving your newborn session during your second or early third trimester whenever possible.
You obviously don’t know exactly when your baby will decide to arrive (because babies already run the show 😂), so your due date is used to reserve space on my calendar. Once your baby arrives, we’ll finalize the actual session date.
Booking while you’re still pregnant gives you one less thing to worry about after delivery and makes it much more likely that I’ll have availability around the time your baby arrives.
And if your baby is already here? Please still reach out! I occasionally have last-minute openings, and beautiful newborn photographs aren’t limited to one exact number of days after birth.
What age is best for newborn photos?
Every baby is different, and I don’t believe your opportunity for beautiful newborn portraits suddenly disappears because your baby reaches a certain age.
For those tiny, sleepy, curled-up newborn poses, sessions are typically photographed during the first few weeks after birth. Babies change incredibly quickly during this stage—which is part of what makes these photographs so special.
But older newborns are beautiful too. We simply adjust the session around your baby’s age, personality, feeding needs and comfort.
Baby leads the session. Always.
What happens if my baby arrives early or late?
Nothing to panic about!
Your due date helps me plan my calendar, but your session isn’t dependent on your baby arriving on that exact day. Once they’re here, we’ll choose the session date based on baby’s arrival and my availability.
That’s one of the reasons booking before delivery is so helpful—I already know you’re coming.
Do parents and siblings get to be in the photos?
Yes!
Your newborn session isn’t only about photographing your baby. It’s about documenting your family during a season that changes incredibly fast.
Those tiny fingers wrapped around yours, the way your baby fits against your chest, a proud big brother or sister meeting their newest family member—those photographs become even more meaningful as the years pass.
And don’t worry if you’re exhausted or don’t feel completely camera-ready after having a baby. You don’t have to have everything together. You just have to show up and love your baby. I’ll help with the rest.
What should I bring to my newborn session?
One of my favorite parts of offering newborn photography is taking some of the work off the parents.
Your session is planned around your baby, with time for feeding, soothing, changing and snuggling as needed. Newborn sessions aren’t something we rush through just because the clock is ticking.
Before your session, I’ll also help you prepare so you know what to expect and what you’ll need to bring.
Because you’ve got enough going on. Newborn photos shouldn’t be another stressful item on your list.
Choosing your Kansas City newborn photographer
There are a lot of things to consider when choosing the person who will photograph your brand-new baby.
Look through their newborn portfolio. Make sure you love their style. Read reviews from other parents. Learn about their experience working specifically with newborns. And most importantly, choose someone whose work feels like something you’ll still want hanging in your home years from now.
I’ve been photographing Kansas City babies and families for years, and newborn photography remains one of my favorite parts of what I do. Babies don’t stay this little for long—and photographs give us a way to hold onto just a tiny piece of it.
Now booking Kansas City winter due dates
If you’re expecting a baby this winter, now is the perfect time to get your newborn session on my calendar.
Susy Photo serves families throughout Kansas City, North Kansas City and the surrounding metro, with newborn sessions created to document your baby and your family exactly as they are during this incredibly short season.