One of the questions I hear most often from expecting parents is:
“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 focus on enjoying them when they arrive.
When Should You Book Maternity Photos?
Most maternity sessions are photographed between 30 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.
At this stage, your bump is beautifully visible, but you’re often still comfortable enough to enjoy being photographed. For many mums, it’s also before some of the puffiness, swelling and general discomfort that can arrive in the final weeks of pregnancy, helping you feel a little more like yourself in front of the camera.
Booking during this window also reduces the chance of missing out altogether if your baby decides to arrive earlier than expected!
Of course, every pregnancy is different. Some mums prefer to document their journey a little earlier, while others choose to wait until the final weeks before meeting their baby.
The most important thing is choosing a time that feels right for you.
Why We Love Beginning the Journey Before Baby Arrives
One of the things we love most about maternity photography is that it captures the beginning of a story.
The excitement.
The anticipation.
The waiting.
Then suddenly your baby arrives, and everything changes.
When maternity portraits sit alongside newborn portraits, baby portraits 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 photographed within the first two weeks after birth.
However, 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 to life with a new baby. Some parents love documenting those tiny newborn details immediately, while others prefer to wait until their 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 professional photography 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.
These are the moments that often pass the fastest.
Creating a Portrait Collection That Grows With Your Child
At The Little Portrait Club, we believe childhood is about more than a single photoshoot.
Our portrait sessions are designed to help families document every stage of the journey, from maternity and newborn portraits through to baby milestones, sibling portraits and family photography.
Because one day you’ll look back and realise these weren’t separate sessions.
They were chapters of the same story.
And the earlier you begin, the more of that story you’ll have preserved.
If you’re expecting a baby and would like to learn more about maternity, newborn or baby photography in Lincoln, Christchurch, we’d love to welcome you to The Little Portrait Club.