Newborn Grace’s Professional In-Studio Session | When to Book Newborn Portraits for Best Results

As expectant parents prepare for all things baby, one of the important things to remember is to book newborn portraits because once your little one is here, time will fly by quickly and things will be busy! Plus, babies grow fast—and newborns don’t stay tiny very long.

When baby Grace’s parents booked their session with the Andrea Sollenberger Studio, they knew they wanted to preserve every single memory of their new baby girl’s earliest days, and creative, professional portraits are a great way to do that.

There are many things that go into planning and preparing a newborn session, and especially for the family, it’s important to leave plenty of time. You may have special props or family mementos you want to include in your photos that require some gathering, plus you’ll want to plan outfits, accessories, and coordinating looks for mom and dad, too. Sound overwhelming? It won’t be…because I’ll be with you every step of the way!

Just look how baby Grace’s photo session turned out!

A SWEET MOMENT WITH MOM

Below, Grace is swaddled in white and wears a coordinating white headband as she’s snuggled closely next to mom’s cheek. Their peaceful, heart-to-heart connection turns this portrait into a family heirloom that will be treasured for years to come.

AN ADORABLE PHOTO WITH DADDY

In the charming image below, it’s plain to see how adored little Grace already is by her daddy, and with his protective arms wrapped solidly around her, she’s safe and sound—now and all through her growing-up years.

Dad joined in on the color theme of wearing white, too, so the entire family looks stylish and on-trend as they coordinated in looks that are timeless and that will look great displayed in any room of their home.

TIMING IS KEY FOR NEWBORN PHOTOS

The days just after baby is born are a whirlwind of hospital stays, car seats, onesies, feedings and more. Mom is recovering, and baby is getting used to life with mom and dad. If there are older siblings at home, they are still adjusting to the new arrival, too. That’s why it’s important to give yourselves a few days to settle in at home before putting a photo session on your calendar. Everyone will be more relaxed, and you’ll be glowing in your portraits—just like Grace and her mom are in the photo below.

It takes time and patience to plan your dream newborn photo session. And nobody. I mean nobody wants to do that when they are already stressed! That’s why planning ahead of time is a great idea.

SO WHEN DO I PLAN MY BABY’S NEWBORN SESSION?

This sweet spot of time, between 14-21 days after being born, is the best time for a professional photographer to be able to capture the newborn essence and all the charm that goes along with it.

Waiting just a little while—a couple to a few weeks—will make a huge difference in your little one’s photos. Your baby will be more settled, on a regular feeding schedule, less likely to need cluster feedings, able to sleep deeply during their portrait session, and will have filled out and developed all those adorable rolls which photograph so well. At this point, baby is still super flexible, and it’s easy to pose them into those precious womb-like poses that everyone adores, too.

FUN & FANCIFUL DREAMS

This little one is dreaming the day away as she snuggles in for a long sleep on this super-soft surface. Grace was easily posed into one of the peaceful newborn slumbers previously mentioned, and she looks like she’s dreaming of all things fun and fanciful in this adorable portrait. Wearing nothing but a stretchy white headband with green flowers, Grace poses for a modern—and modest—take on the traditional birthday suit pose.

OH, THE EXPRESSIONS…TIMING YOUR BABY’S NEWBORN PHOTO SESSION

As she sleeps in the photo below, adorable Grace flashes us a grin-slash-smirk that makes it hard not to smile every time you look at it! She’s already showing off quite a bit of personality, and it makes us wonder…is this going to be one of her signature expressions as she grows up? Watch out, Mom and Dad!

By waiting just a few weeks, Grace was starting to make funny faces and show her little personality. We were lucky enough that during the session she flashed us a grin!

YOUR MOST CHERISHED PHOTOS…WHY IT’S CRUCIAL TO BOOK AHEAD OF TIME

When a little one is born, there is so much excitement that it’s hard to think of anything else. That’s one of the key reasons to book your newborn photo session early. You can eliminate one of the tasks on your list by contacting your photographer and booking your session ahead of time. By doing this, you’ll not only guarantee your session, but you’ll decrease your stress and have more time to spend with your growing family.

It’s also important to keep in mind that professional newborn photographers book up quickly, so it’s a good idea to get on the calendar to avoid any scheduling stress. When you reach out between your 24^th to 34^th week of pregnancy, you decrease the possibility of running into a full calendar—and you increase the chances of getting the date and time you want!

The lovely photo below shows a relaxed mom with newborn Grace as they pose during their professional session. I love the tonal white-on-white theme they went with!

STUDIO FLEXIBILITY & SCHEDULING AROUND BABY’S ARRIVAL

Another quick note on timing… We all know that babies arrive on their own timetables, but the Andrea Sollenberger booking window holds your spot with a heavy cushion before and after your due date—so you won’t have to worry about your session even if baby surprises you by being early or late. Your exact session date will be scheduled when baby is born.

A NEWBORN SESSION AT THE ANDREA SOLLENBERGER STUDIO IN GAINESVILLE, FL

When you book a newborn photo session at the Andrea Sollenberger Photo Studio, you can expect several things. First of all, unparalleled service and a desire to ensure you get the session experience of your dreams. After all, my motto is:

Capture precious moments today…

Relive them during all your tomorrows!

If you or someone you know is in the Gainesville area and expecting a little one, contact me to learn more about newborn sessions and how to get started.

ROUND UP THE FARM…BABY’S HERE! CREATIVE PROPS ADD TO THE FUN

It may not be time to hop on the tractor just yet, but you can bet there are plenty of adventures ahead for little Grace as she grows up! This adorable photo is so unique and artistic, including props that mom and dad both selected to reflect their interests. Grace lies in the softest furry nest inside a heart basket and surrounded by a circle of tractors, all atop a soft, fuzzy throw that both adds texture and coordinates with the neutral theme that mom and dad love.

I always encourage parents to bring in props, outfits, or other items that are especially important to them if they want to incorporate them into their little one’s photos. Sometimes these are some of the most fun and adorable images of all! Below, little Grace sits swaddled in a woven basket with leather trim and wears an adorably fuzzy cow hat while nestled into a soft throw blanket. Looks like life on the farm, for her, includes a nap!

One of the biggest benefits of scheduling your photo session in advance is that once it’s scheduled, you have all the rest of the time left to send me idea after idea of your dream photo session. Then, I make it happen! Go ahead and get creative…from tractors to teddy bears to cow hats, whatever passion you want to pass on to your little one, we can find a way to include it in creative newborn photos!

WHAT IF I NEED TO SCHEDULE WHEN BABY IS OLDER?

If your family is unable to work photographs into the “ideal” window when it comes to timing, don’t worry! Precious memories are more important than timing, and it’s more important that you schedule portraits when you’re able to than not at all. If you plan your newborn’s session a little later, we’ll still work together to plan a wonderful session and get beautiful keepsake photos of your new baby.

A few of the biggest concerns professionals have about photographing older newborns can be easily remedied. For example, as the weeks pass, babies tend to grow more observant and less flexible, but a skilled photographer can work with them to capture beautiful newborn photos! And, the blemishes, rashes, and peeling skin that are so common in older babies can also be adjusted with the magic of Photoshop.

Baby’s safety and comfort are more important, above all, so if we need to schedule your session when your little one is a bit older, then that’s what we’ll do—and you’ll still take home amazing photos of your sweet baby!

YOUR STYLE, YOUR WAY

One of the biggest benefits of booking a professional session with the Andrea Sollenberger Studio is that from the very first moment, your ideas are the center of our session planning! I truly care about your style and preferences, and we’ll work together to make sure your new little one’s photo shoot is seamless, stressless, and delivers beautiful keepsake photos you’ll be able to love forever.

Just like this beautiful photo of little Grace in the middle of this pink floral wreath below, you’ll be able to select the colors, textures, props and more that coordinate with your personal style so that you take home a collection of professional portraits you’re proud to share with friends and family.

Newborn portraits are a priceless gift you can give to yourself and your family, and I’m thrilled that I had the opportunity to work with this family to create a one-of-a-kind photo shoot for little Grace.

If you’re ready to start planning your newborn photo session, contact me. And keep following the blog for creative inspiration… it’s packed with full-session details and need-to-know info! You’ll also find tons of inspiration on my Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest pages, too, so follow to see all the latest. Can’t wait to see you in studio!