Don’t Miss Out: Addressing the 8 Common Reasons Why People Don’t Book Their Newborn Photo Session

Curious about newborn photography but unsure if it’s right for you? You’re not alone. Drawing from my experiences with hundreds of families, I will address all the possible reservations you may have, so you don’t miss out on capturing those precious moments with your new baby.

March 7, 2024 • Newborn

Seattle newborn photography, baby girl held by mom and dad

From choosing your birth plan, getting the nursery ready, purchasing all the baby things, packing your hospital bag, and more — there is much to do during pregnancy.

Many people also book a maternity photo shoot to celebrate this moment in time. But what about after your baby is here? Should you book a newborn photo session with a professional photographer as well?

Over the years, I’ve had the incredible privilege of helping countless families capture and celebrate their various special moments, milestones, and celebrations — including pregnancies, births, first birthdays, family reunions, and all things in between. And I have loved every minute of it!

Interacting with hundreds of families has also given me a unique insight into why some people opt out of getting professional newborn photos taken and how they later end up regretting that.

So, if you’re on the fence about booking a newborn photography session for your family, I hope this article will help you work through some of your concerns and reservations so you, too, can avoid any regrets in the future.

Here are eight common reasons people talk themselves out of getting professional newborn photos done.

1. We Can Do a Newborn Photo Shoot Ourselves

Most of us have access to a camera phone and the ability to take good-quality photos. In fact, I guarantee you will have hundreds (if not thousands) of such photos — everything babies do is adorable!

However, these photos will be no match to those done by a professional photographer who took years to develop their skill. During your newborn photoshoot, a photographer will:

A screenshot of a comment from a motherhood forum discussion
A screenshot of a comment from a motherhood forum discussion

Even if you feel like you’ve planned ahead, you might be in a different headspace once your baby is born.

Speaking from my experience as a mother of three boys, I found it challenging to find moments for a newborn session with my babies and have hired other photographers for this.

2. I Don’t Think I Am Going to Like Myself in Photos After Giving Birth

Many mothers feel self-conscious about how they will appear in photos after giving birth. Your body goes through many changes during and after pregnancy, and you might not feel like yourself for a while, which is perfectly normal!

However, your body has done an amazing thing — it has created life, and you are beautiful!

The truth is that our self-perception tends to change over time.  I remember feeling very self-conscious during the newborn photo sessions of my own three children. However, reflecting on those photos now (14+ years later), I think I looked great (dare I say, amazing!) and am so glad I didn’t pass on the opportunity to book a newborn session with a professional photographer because of my own insecurities. My family and I cherish these beautiful photos.

It’s important to remember that these photo sessions are meant to document your life authentically, so all you have to do is be yourself! It is what gives your photographs true value and meaning.

But if you’re still not swayed, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Here are some examples of how I partially include a parent in newborn photos:

Mom in soft focus holding her newborn daughter during a photo shoot

A pose during a newborn photo shoot of baby girl holding to dad's fingers

Unique newborn photography with parents, baby girl wrapped in white blanket with parents hands on her head and bodyClose-up of a newborn girl, wrapped in white blankets and sleeping, while parents are kissing in the background

Being honest with your photographer about your insecurities is a small trade-off to getting photos you will treasure for years to come.

3. We Didn’t Know We Had to Book in Advance, and Now Our Photographer Is Not Available

Let’s be honest: with all you have to do during pregnancy, booking a newborn photoshoot may not have been at the top of your list. Or maybe you didn’t know that a newborn photo session is supposed to take place within the first few weeks of your baby’s birth.

It happens, and it’s ok.

The downside is that if you wait until the last minute (or when the baby is actually born), the photographer you hoped for may not be available. Most photographers only book a specific number of newborn sessions per month, and they do their best to get these scheduled in advance.

However, if the photographer you originally wanted isn’t available, don’t be discouraged — reach out to other photographers in your area. This will only take a little bit of your time, and definitely worth the memorable photos you will have in the future!

If you’re in the Seattle area and you haven’t booked a newborn photoshoot, even if your baby is already here, please reach out to me to see if I have any availability. I know what these photos will mean to your family, so I will do my best to fit you in.

4. We May Be Too Tired and Won’t Want to Travel to a Studio After Birth

All the pregnancy/parenting books and blogs out there prepare you not only for the joys that accompany your baby’s arrival but also the possible not-so-fun moments — the throw-ups, hundreds of daily diaper changes, crying, sleepless nights, etc.

In other words, you might be exhausted, and the last thing you want to do is travel to a studio.

The good news is, you don’t have to — some photographers offer in-home newborn sessions and will come to you! This is something that I offer as well.

In-home sessions are less posed and have a natural feel — beautifully capturing the early days of a family’s life with a new baby. This will also give you great photos of that cute nursery you’ve worked so hard to create!

Here are a few examples from my in-home newborn photo shoot:

Seattle in home photography, mom, dad, and baby girl lying on a bed

Seattle in home photography, mom, dad, and baby girl cuddling on a sofa

Seattle in-home photo session, mom holding her baby in a nursery

In-home newborn photo shoot, mom, older brother, and baby hugging

Seattle in-home newborn photo shoot, dad holding his baby close to his face, noses touching

I also offer the option to include posed baby shots with props as an add-on to the session, for which I will bring the necessary props and equipment.

However, it’s important to remember that whether you book a studio or in-home photo session, you don’t have to get it done right away! Newborn photoshoots can be done up to three weeks after the baby is born — hopefully giving you time to settle in and start getting used to your new normal.

5. We Think a Newborn Photoshoot Will Be Too Much Hassle and Challenging to Pull Off

Generally, it’s impossible to predict how your first few weeks with a new baby will unfold, so it’s understandable that you might feel like adding a photo session into the mix might be too much. Especially if this will be your first baby or you had a difficult pregnancy.

But this is why working with an experienced photographer is a huge benefit — they take much of the hassle and guesswork out of preparing for your newborn photo session.

If you choose me as your photographer, here are some things I do to help you feel at ease before, during, and after your newborn photo session:

A screenshot of a Google Review from one of my clients
A screenshot of a Google Review from one of my clients

6. We Think It’s Too Expensive

When added to all the other expenses that come with having a baby, getting newborn photos done professionally may seem like an unnecessary splurge.

Professional newborn photography isn’t cheap, but it has tremendous value.

Even though the perception of value varies from person to person, we can probably all agree that the most valuable thing in life is time — once it’s gone, you can never get it back. What is a photograph if not a frozen moment in time?

The first few weeks of your baby’s life are special — their first yawns, sleepy smiles, hunger frowns, cute burps, tinniest fingers and toes — but very brief.

A professional photographer will work with you to paint and capture this momentous time for your family using their creative perspective and artistic lens.

The ultimate goal is to make the experience of a newborn photo session stress-free, easy-going, and enjoyable for you, but in reality, there is a lot more that goes on behind the scenes to make this happen.

A photographer has put in years of experience perfecting their craft and talent, learning about the correct angles, camera lenses, and lighting, purchasing accessories and equipment, putting together sets and props — the list goes on. After your session, the photographer will spend additional hours going through the hundreds of photos they have taken in order to choose the perfect images to edit and present to you.

Each photo will be a piece of art that your photographer used their aesthetic talent, equipment, and hard work to create. These photographs will become some of your most cherished possessions for many years to come.

“You get what you pay for” reigns true when it comes to professional photography, and in my experience (as well as feedback from hundreds of clients), booking a newborn photography session will most definitely be worth the cost.

In addition, most photographers (myself included) offer several newborn photography packages, giving you the option to choose a more budget-friendly one.

Here are a few examples from my Newborn Mini Session, which is more affordable:

Seattle newborn photography, sleeping baby girl masterfully wrapped wearing a bonnet

Seattle studio newborn photo shoot, posed shot of baby girl

Seattle studio newborn session, mom, dad, and baby girl cuddling on a couch

7. We Don’t Want to Expose Our Newborn Baby to Germs

Ultimately, you must do what is best for your family and what feels right for you. Especially if your baby receives specific instructions from your doctor — you should follow them.

However, if your baby is healthy and you still have reservations about exposure, I take every precaution to minimize the spread of germs during our photography session, ensuring that:

8. We Didn’t Book in Time, and Now My Baby Is No Longer a Newborn

The optimal time for a newborn photography session is when your baby is a “super sleeper” — typically within the first few weeks of birth.

However, if you are just catching your breath after the whole birthing and welcoming a new baby experience, and your baby is now more than 3–4 weeks old, it’s totally fine, you can still have a newborn-like session!

Babies can be unpredictable at any age, and I’ve had many photo sessions with babies older than one month who sleep better than 5-day-old ones, and the photographs turned out so precious.

But, even if your baby isn’t as sleepy as a newborn would be, imagine the cute and silly open-eyed shots we can get! There are so many adorable posing opportunities for older babies and their families.

Here are a few examples from my newborn photo shoots with older babies:

Seattle in-home newborn photo shoot, dad holding his baby girl, both smiling with a crib in the background

Seattle in-home newborn photo shoot, mom and dad lying on their bed with their baby girl in front of them, all smiling

Seattle in-home newborn photo shoot, a smiling newborn girl lying in big bed on top of cozy blankets

Mom and baby girl smiling at each other at a newborn photo shoot

Happy mom looking at her newborn daughter during a photo session

Now It’s Your Turn

The arrival of a child into the world is a remarkable thing — an accomplishment on your part that should be celebrated and documented with a professional photo shoot. God knows you deserve it!

While the reasons mentioned above are valid concerns, if you overcome them, you will have photos you will treasure for many years to come. Spending a little time with a photographer is a small trade-off for memories that last a lifetime. And I have yet to meet a family that regrets getting a newborn session.

As a professional photographer, I aim to make my newborn photo sessions enjoyable and hassle-free for you, and I hope you consider booking one!

Next steps:


Hi, I’m Lana

I have been a Seattle maternity, newborn, and family photographer since 2008. Having photographed thousands of families, I have developed a hassle-free and fun process so families could have an easier time documenting their journey through the years. I invite you to learn more about me, and my unique values and quirks.

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