When to Book Newborn Photos in Minneapolis: For Expectant Parents
Preparing for your baby’s arrival is a season of anticipation, from curating the nursery to choosing the right pediatrician. If you are currently in the nesting phase, it’s a good time to start searching for a newborn photographer in Minneapolis. Booking the newborn photo session during the second trimester ensures those first precious details are documented without feeling rushed or stressed once your baby is actually here.
As a motherhood photographer and a photography educator and mentor who trains other professionals in newborn safety, I believe that preparation is the key to a stress-free process. Here is how to plan your newborn portraits so they fit seamlessly into your new life as a parent.
When to secure your date
The ideal time to check newborn portraits off your list is during your second trimester, around the 20-week mark.
While it feels early, most specialized newborn photographers in Minneapolis limit the number of sessions they accept each month. Because babies rarely follow a calendar, I keep my schedule flexible to accommodate changes in delivery dates. So if your baby arrives early or late, booking ahead ensures my availability, since I limit the number of sessions each month.
Booking during your second trimester ensures you have a guaranteed placeholder on my calendar, giving you one less thing to manage in those final weeks of pregnancy. This also leads to some openings for last-minute bookings, so please do reach out even if your baby has already arrived. I’ll do my best to fit you into the calendar.
Maternity Planning: If you want to document your pregnancy as well, we typically schedule your maternity photos between 28 and 32 weeks—the sweet spot where you have a beautiful bump but still feel comfortable.
The 14-Day Window: Don’t Stress!
While the ideal window for those classic, sleepy portraits is typically between 5 and 14 days after birth, I want to be very clear: please do not let this become a source of stress.
Every baby is an individual with their own preferences from day one. My sessions are entirely baby-led, and the session date is based on many factors, including gestation, weight, and more.
When to photograph a premature baby
I follow their adjusted date, so if they’re born 3 weeks early, we would typically photograph at 4-5 weeks. Each baby is different, and we will talk and decide on the best date for your baby and your family. The preemie sessions actually go very well and led me to photograph babies over 14 days quite regularly.
What if I’m already past the two-week mark?
If you are just now starting your search and your baby is already three or four weeks old, please don't worry. You haven't missed your chance. If I have an opening, we can still create beautiful newborn photos. It can limit some posing, but not to the extent that it prevents a good session.
Because I teach newborn safety and posing to other photographers, I am highly experienced in working with older newborns. We simply pivot the session to focus on soulful awake moments, beautiful stretches, and the connection between you and your new arrival. Whether your baby is 6 days or 6 weeks old, we will capture images you will treasure.
Beyond the Newborn Session: The First Year Baby Plan
Your baby’s first year will go by faster than you can imagine. One day, they are a tiny bundle in your arms, and the next, they are crawling and exploring. Documenting those milestones ensures you never forget the magic of their first year.
To help Minneapolis families stay on track, I offer a First Year Baby Plan for my newborn photography clients. Each plan is customized for your family:
Maternity Session: Optional addition to the Baby Plan.
Milestone Sessions: Choose one or all: 3-month tummy time, 6-7-month sitter, 9-month crawling.
Birthday Cake Smash: It’s like a little party in the studio. These are very popular and part of the Baby Plan.
Exclusive Savings: Clients on the baby plan save 20-30% on their sessions.
Heirloom Collections: We wrap up the year by curating your favorite memories into a Grow With Me Folio Box or a stunning Fine Art Album.