By Mallory Shelton — Aledo & Fort Worth Lifestyle Newborn Photographer
Bringing home a brand–new baby is a blur of sleepless nights, heart-stealing coos, and endless firsts you never want to forget. One of the sweetest ways to preserve those fleeting moments is through a professional newborn session—yet parents often tell me they aren’t sure when to schedule it. Below, I break down the ideal timing, explain why booking during pregnancy is simpler for everyone, and answer the most common questions I hear as an Aledo newborn photographer, Fort Worth newborn photographer, and devoted lifestyle newborn photographer serving families across DFW.
The industry-standard sweet spot is between day 5 and day 14 of your baby’s life. During this two-week window, newborns are:
Photographing within this timeframe yields the classic, peaceful images you see on my website—tiny hands tucked under chins, toes peeking from soft wraps, and siblings cuddling without baby startling awake. All that to say, my favorite time to photograph newborns is around the 4 week mark. Newborns have filled out a little more and mama feels a bit more like herself!
I always encourage parents to reserve their session in the second trimester (sooner if you’re due in a peak month like September-December or May). Here’s why:
Think of it as one more piece of pre-baby prep, right up there with installing the car seat and packing your hospital bag.
“What if my baby arrives early or needs a NICU stay?”
I keep my calendar flexible. We’ll shift the session to whenever baby is safely home and your pediatrician gives the thumbs-up—whether that’s week 3 or month 2.
“I’m having a scheduled C-section and worried about recovery.”
We’ll build in extra buffer days, and make sure you are comfortable. Your comfort matters as much as baby’s.
“I forgot to book and my baby is already 18 days old—am I out of luck?”
Not at all! Reach out anyway. While super-sleepy posing may be limited, beautiful lifestyle images work at any age.
Those newborn snuggles are wonderfully short-lived—trust me, as a mom of three lively boys, I know! By booking early, you guarantee a calm, organized experience and images that transport you back to the sweetest season of your child’s life. If you’re expecting and searching for an Aledo newborn photographer, Fort Worth newborn photographer, or experienced lifestyle newborn photographer who will treat your family like her own, let’s chat. Click the button below to reserve your due-date spot and start designing the newborn session you’ve been dreaming about.
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