From Bump to Baby: When to book your maternity & newborn photos

One of the questions I hear most often from expecting parents is simply: "when should we book our photos?"

If you're considering maternity or newborn portraits, the answer is usually much earlier than you think.

The months leading up to your baby's arrival are filled with anticipation, planning and excitement. Before you know it, your due date arrives and life changes completely. Having a plan for documenting these early stages means you can simply focus on enjoying them when they come.

When should you book maternity photos?

Most maternity sessions are photographed between 30 and 36 weeks. At this stage your bump is beautifully visible, but you're often still comfortable enough to enjoy being photographed - usually before some of the puffiness and swelling of the final weeks, which helps you feel a little more like yourself in front of the camera.

Booking in this window also reduces the chance of missing out altogether if your baby decides to arrive early. Of course, every pregnancy is different - the most important thing is choosing a time that feels right for you.

Why we love beginning before baby arrives

One of the things I love most about maternity photography is that it captures the very beginning of a story - the excitement, the anticipation, the waiting. Then suddenly your baby arrives, and everything changes.

When maternity portraits sit alongside newborn, baby and future family portraits, they become part of something much bigger: a visual record of your family's journey.

When should you book newborn photos?

Traditional newborn photography is often taken within the first two weeks after birth. But many families are surprised to learn that beautiful baby portraits can be created well beyond the newborn stage.

The early weeks can be a blur of feeding, settling and adjusting. Some parents love documenting those tiny newborn details straight away; others prefer to wait until baby is a little older and more alert. There is no single "right" age to begin documenting your child's story.

Beyond the newborn stage

Many parents assume they only need one session. But childhood doesn't stand still. The sleepy newborn stage becomes smiles. The smiles become sitting. The sitting becomes first steps. Before you know it, you're celebrating another birthday - and these are the moments that pass the fastest.

A collection that grows with your child

At The Little White Studio, I believe childhood is about more than a single photoshoot. My sessions are designed to help you document every stage - from maternity and newborn through to baby milestones, siblings and family. Because one day you'll look back and realise these weren't separate sessions at all. They were chapters of the same story - and the earlier you begin, the more of that story you'll have kept.