It's one of the most common questions I get from expectant parents, and it's a really good one to ask early. The short answer: book during your pregnancy, ideally around the 20-34 week mark. Here's why that matters, and what happens if you leave it until after bub arrives.
The Sweet Spot for Newborn Photos
Newborns change incredibly fast. The tiny, curled-up, sleepy stage that most parents picture when they think of newborn photography? That's really only a window of about five to fourteen days after birth.
Within that first two weeks, babies are still very settled and sleep deeply, which makes it so much easier to photograph them comfortably. After that, they start to become more alert and wakeful, and they lose that beautifully curled newborn shape. You can absolutely photograph a three or four week old baby and get gorgeous results, but the style of the session changes.
For a studio newborn session with Wonderland Photography, the ideal age is five to fourteen days. That's the window I aim to work within for every newborn booking.
Why Book During Pregnancy?
Because newborn sessions book out. Especially in the warmer months on the Tweed Coast and Gold Coast, I can have several families booked in for the same due-date window. If you wait until baby arrives to get in touch, there's a real chance I won't have availability in that five to fourteen day window.
When you book during pregnancy, here's what happens:
Your due date goes in my calendar. I hold that window for you.
Once bub arrives, you send me a message and we lock in the exact date within that first two weeks.
If baby comes early or late, that's completely fine. We work around it.
No scrambling, no stressing. You've got enough going on in those first days.
What If My Baby Is Already Here?
Get in touch straightaway. If your baby is under two weeks old, there's a good chance I can make it work. The sooner you reach out, the better your options.
If your baby is a bit older, we can still create something really beautiful. I photograph babies at all ages and stages. The session just looks a little different from a newborn-specific shoot, and that's absolutely fine. There's no age at which your baby stops being worth photographing.
What Does a Newborn Session With Me Look Like?
I'm based in Banora Point and photograph newborns in my home studio. Sessions are relaxed and unhurried. Babies feed, sleep, and settle in their own time, and I work around that. You don't need to do anything except show up.
I've spent over twenty years working with young children, first as an early childhood educator and primary school teacher, and now as a photographer. That background means I know how to read babies. I know when to move and when to wait. Sessions never feel rushed.
Families from across the Tweed Coast and Gold Coast come to me for newborn sessions, including parents from Kingscliff, Cabarita Beach, Murwillumbah, Coolangatta, Tweed Heads, and Burleigh Heads.
A Quick Summary: When to Book
Best time to book: 20-34 weeks pregnant
Ideal age for the session: 5-14 days after birth
Baby already here and under 2 weeks: Get in touch today
Baby older than 2 weeks: Still worth reaching out, different sessions available
Ready to Lock In Your Session?
If you're pregnant and thinking about newborn photos, now is the right time to get in touch. I'd love to hear about your due date and answer any questions you have before you commit to anything.
Newborn photography starts at $650, with a deposit of $300 required to lock in your date. I serve families across the Tweed Coast and Gold Coast regions from my studio in Banora Point.
Head to the contact page to send me a message, or flick me an email. I'll get back to you quickly and we can have a proper chat about what you're after.
