This is the question I get asked most often from expecting moms, usually sometime in the second trimester when the reality of everything that needs to happen before the baby arrives starts to set in.
When do I need to book?
The short answer is earlier than you think.
When to Book Your Maternity Session
The best time for maternity photos is between 28 and 34 weeks. This is when your belly is full and round but you are still comfortable enough to move around and enjoy the session. After 34 weeks, most women find it harder to be on their feet for an extended period, and by 36 weeks the baby can arrive at any time and miss the opportunity.
That means you should be thinking about booking your maternity session no later than your second trimester, around weeks 20 to 24. This gives us time to plan the session, talk through wardrobe, schedule hair and make-up, and get everything ready.
If you are already past 28 weeks, do not panic. Reach out and I will tell you honestly whether we can make it work. Although not ideal, I have photographed the day before baby arrived.
When to Book Your Newborn Session
Book your newborn session between your second and beginning of third trimester. I know that sounds early, but here is why it matters.
The ideal window for newborn photography is the first seven to twenty one days of life. In those early days, babies are sleepy, curled up naturally, and easy to settle into poses that are not possible even a few weeks later. After three weeks, babies become more alert, harder to soothe, might be getting some baby acne, and some of the looks that define classic newborn photography might not be possible.
I book out weeks in advance, especially during busy seasons. If you wait until after your baby is born to contact me, there is a chance I will not have availability in that critical first two week window.
The way it works is simple. You book during your pregnancy and we hold a spot about 7 days after your due date. When your baby arrives, you let me know and we confirm the exact date based on how the first few days go and our schedules.
What Happens if You Wait Too Long
For maternity sessions, waiting too long usually means missing the window entirely. I have had women contact me at 37 weeks hoping to schedule something, and while I always try to make it work, the options are limited and the session is harder on mom.
For newborn sessions, waiting until after the birth is the most common mistake I see. A new mom is exhausted, overwhelmed, and suddenly trying to find a photographer while adjusting to life with a newborn. Booking in advance means one less thing to think about after your baby arrives.
The Atlanta Booking Calendar
Atlanta has two busy seasons for maternity and newborn photography. Spring sessions, for babies due between March and June, book up fast starting in January. Fall sessions, for babies due between September and December, start filling up in July and August.
If your due date falls in either of those windows, earlier is always better.
How to Get Started
Reach out with your due date and I will tell you exactly when we should schedule your maternity session and hold your newborn spot. We can plan both at the same time so you have everything taken care of in one conversation.
I work with families throughout Atlanta and the surrounding areas. If you are expecting and have not booked yet, now is the right time.
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