When Should I Book A Fresh 48 Or Newborn Photographer?
A new baby is on the way, and you want to capture their squishy, chubby, delicious little being in pictures. But when exactly should you contact newborn photographers? When should you time your session? How do you choose a photographer that's right for you? Let's talk about it.
WHEN SHOULD I START LOOKING FOR A NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER?
It is a good idea to research baby photographers while you are in your third trimester – the earlier you start looking, the more choices you will have.
Photographers can only schedule a limited number of sessions per month (did you know a photographer might spend 15-20 hours total on one client, even if the session is just two hours long?). This means that they may not have spots left in the month if you contact them after your baby is born.
The timing of a birth is unpredictable, but your photographer will reserve a spot for you within a time-frame based on your due date. When you book a Fresh 48 session to capture those first moments of your baby's life, the photographer will plan their schedule so that any time your baby is born, they can get to you within those first two days.
If you realize you want pictures of your newborn when they've already been born, don't give up! Just contact a newborn photographer that you like, and if they are fully booked they might be able to recommend other photographers in your area that are available.
WHAT ARE OTHER BENEFITS OF BOOKING MY PHOTOGRAPHER BEFORE BABY IS BORN?
Researching newborn photographers while you are pregnant means you'll have more time to compare photographers you like – without the sleep deprivation. Because you get to know your photographer beforehand you will feel comfortable contacting them once your baby has been born.
Booking your photographer early simply means one less thing to worry about once your baby is born. The paperwork has already been taken care of, and you can just focus on your little one.
TIMING OF A FRESH 48 NEWBORN SESSION
A Fresh 48 session is great when you're not comfortable enough to have someone present during birth, but still want images of all the little firsts with your baby.
Some prefer to do the session as soon as possible after birth, while others want a bit of rest first. The important thing is to keep in touch with your photographer when you go into labor and update them when you get a chance, so that they can prepare to head over to you.
TIMING OF A NEWBORN SESSION
What about the timing of the newborn session? Generally, if you want sleepy snuggly pictures of your baby, they should be less than two weeks new – which is especially important for posed newborn sessions. The older the baby gets, the more alert and stretched out baby will be. Lifestyle sessions and documentary sessions are possible at any age.
HOW DO I FIND THE PERFECT NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER FOR OUR FAMILY?
If you're looking for a newborn photographer but aren't quite sure on how to get started, I'll walk you through the steps to find the perfect photographer for you. Just sign up to get 7 tips in your email right here: