If you are expecting a baby in Leeds or the surrounding areas, you may already be wondering when the best time is to book your newborn photoshoot.
Newborn photography is usually best planned before your baby arrives, because those first few days can pass very quickly. The ideal time for a classic newborn session is usually within the first 5 to 14 days after birth, when babies are often sleepier, more settled and naturally curled up.
However, this does not mean you have missed your chance if your baby is already here. Every baby is different, and a calm, baby-led session can still create beautiful images after the first two weeks.
The Best Time for Newborn Photos Is Usually 5 to 14 Days Old
The first couple of weeks after birth are such a special and delicate time. Your baby is still very tiny, sleepy, and close to the way they were in the womb.
This makes the early days ideal for capturing:
- sleepy newborn portraits
- tiny hands and feet
- curled-up baby poses
- soft wrapped images
- peaceful family moments
- the first connection between parents and baby
During this stage, babies often sleep for longer periods and are usually easier to settle after feeding. This helps create a calm and relaxed session, especially for those soft, minimal and timeless newborn photographs.
Book During Pregnancy, Not After Birth
The best time to book your newborn photoshoot is before your baby arrives.
Many parents choose to book during the second or third trimester, often after the 20-week scan. This gives you enough time to choose your photographer, ask questions, plan the style of your session, and reserve availability around your due date.
Because babies rarely arrive exactly on their due date, your session date does not need to be fixed too strictly in advance. Usually, your photographer will pencil in your due date and then confirm the exact session date once your baby is born.
This means you do not need to worry if your baby arrives early or late. The booking is planned around your baby, not the other way around.
What Happens If My Baby Arrives Early or Late?
This is one of the most common worries parents have, and the answer is simple: it is completely normal.
Your due date is just an estimate. If your baby arrives earlier or later than expected, your newborn photoshoot can usually be adjusted.
The best thing to do is contact your photographer once your baby has arrived, so the final session date can be arranged within the best possible window.
A good newborn photographer will understand that babies arrive in their own time and will allow some flexibility around your due date.
Is It Too Late If My Baby Is Older Than Two Weeks?
Not at all.
While the first two weeks are often ideal for classic sleepy newborn photos, older babies can still be photographed beautifully.
If your baby is three, four, five or even six weeks old, the session may simply feel a little different. Your baby may be more awake, more alert, and more interested in looking around. Instead of very sleepy curled-up poses, the photos may include more eye contact, little expressions, stretches, cuddles and natural family moments.
These images can be just as meaningful.
So if you feel like you have missed the perfect window, please do not feel discouraged. The best time is always the time when you are ready.
If You Miss the First Two Weeks, It Is Still Worth Booking
This is another very normal concern.
The first days after birth can feel emotional, tiring and overwhelming. You may still be recovering, adjusting to feeding, sleeping less than usual, and getting used to life with your baby.
A newborn session should never feel rushed or stressful.
The aim is not to make everything look perfect. The aim is to capture this beautiful stage in a calm, gentle and safe way to remember for the whole life.
If your baby is older than two weeks, the session may simply feel slightly different. Your baby may be more alert, stretch more, or want more cuddles and feeding breaks.
Up to around 6 weeks old, many babies can still have a soft newborn-style session. After that, the session naturally becomes more of a young baby photoshoot, with more eye contact, expressions and personality.
The photos can still be beautiful; they will just be styled around your baby’s age and stage.
Ready to Book Your Newborn Photoshoot?
If you are expecting your baby soon, now is the perfect time to reserve your newborn session.
At Noura Studio, newborn sessions are planned gently around your due date, with flexibility for when your baby arrives. The session is calm, baby-led and focused on capturing soft, timeless memories of your baby’s first days.
If you would like to check what is included before booking, you can view our newborn photography packages here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Newborn Photoshoots:
When should I book If I want a Maternity and Newborn package?
If you are planning to have both maternity and newborn photos, it is best to book earlier in pregnancy.
Maternity photos are usually taken later in pregnancy, when your bump is beautifully visible but before you feel too uncomfortable. Newborn photos are then arranged after your baby arrives.
Booking both sessions together can make the process easier because everything is planned in advance, and you do not have to organise everything once the baby is here.
When should I book my newborn photoshoot?
It is best to book your newborn photoshoot during pregnancy, ideally after your 20-week scan or in your early third trimester.
What if my baby arrives early or late?
That is completely normal. Your session can usually be adjusted once your baby arrives. Your due date is used as a guide, and the final date is confirmed after birth.
Is my baby too old for newborn photos?
If your baby is older than two weeks, you can still book a newborn session. Up to around 6 weeks old, many babies can still be photographed in a soft newborn style, although they may be more awake and less curled up.
From around 6 weeks to 3 months, the session usually becomes more of a young baby photoshoot rather than a traditional newborn session. At this age, your baby may be more alert, make more eye contact, stretch more, and show little expressions, which can create beautiful natural images.
After 3 months, it is usually better to book a baby milestone session instead of a newborn photoshoot, as your baby will be more active and the style of the photos will naturally be different.
So if you missed the first two weeks, please do not worry. The session can still be calm, meaningful and beautifully captured – it will simply be styled around your baby’s age and stage.
Can I have photos with my baby?
Yes. Parent and baby photos are a beautiful part of newborn photography and can be included in your session.
Can siblings join the newborn photoshoot?
Yes, siblings can be included in your newborn photoshoot, and there is no extra charge for including them.
Sibling photos are a beautiful way to capture the beginning of your new family chapter, especially those first gentle moments between your children and the new baby.The session will be kept calm and relaxed, with plenty of time for breaks if your older child needs a little space. Sibling photos can be simple and natural, such as cuddling close, sitting beside the baby, holding their tiny hand, or sharing a quiet family moment together. These images often become some of the most meaningful photos from the whole session, because they show not only your newborn, but the connection between your children as your family grows.
How long does a newborn photoshoot take?
A newborn photoshoot usually takes longer than a standard portrait session because babies need time.
There may be pauses for feeding, winding, changing, settling and cuddles. This is completely normal and expected.
The session is not about rushing from one pose to another. It is about creating a calm environment where your baby feels comfortable and safe.
Do I need to bring outfits for my baby?
Not necessarily. A selection of newborn outfits, simple wraps, blankets and accessories is available at the studio, and you can request styling options before your session depending on the package you choose.
If you have a specific colour or style in mind, you are also very welcome to bring your own simple wrap, neutral blanket, or basic baby outfits. Soft, plain pieces usually photograph best, especially in white, cream, beige, oatmeal, soft grey or other gentle neutral tones.
I recommend avoiding very bright colours, large logos, busy patterns or outfits that feel too bulky, as they can take attention away from your baby’s tiny details.
Before your session, we can discuss the look you prefer and choose the styling that works best for your baby, your package and the overall feel you would like for your photos.
What if my baby does not sleep during the session?
Please do not worry. Newborn sessions are planned with enough time for feeding, changing, cuddling and settling, so your baby does not need to sleep straight away.
If your baby is unsettled, we simply pause and follow their needs. A warm, calm and quiet environment usually helps babies relax and fall asleep naturally.
The aim is to gently create the right conditions for those soft, sleepy newborn portraits, without rushing or forcing your baby. Awake moments may also be captured, but the main focus will still be on the newborn-style images you booked the session for.
Is newborn photography safe?
Newborn photography should always be calm, gentle and baby-led. Your baby’s comfort and safety should come before any pose or photo.
If your baby is due soon, this is the perfect time to reserve your newborn session.
Newborn photography is best planned before your baby arrives, so your space can be held around your due date and gently adjusted once your baby is here.
Get in touch with Noura Studio to book your newborn photoshoot or ask any questions before reserving your session.