What If My Baby Arrives Early or Late? Scheduling Your Newborn Photography Session
One of the most common concerns expecting parents have when booking newborn photos is:
“How can I schedule a newborn session when I have no idea when my baby is actually going to arrive?”
It’s a great question—and the answer is simple: you don’t have to know.
Babies have their own schedules. Some arrive weeks early, some are born right around their due date, and others decide they’re perfectly comfortable staying put a little longer.
At Kelly Saxon Photography, newborn sessions are planned with that uncertainty in mind.
As a newborn photographer serving Murfreesboro, Christiana, Rutherford County, and families throughout Middle Tennessee, I’ve created a scheduling process that allows expecting parents to reserve their newborn session before baby arrives without worrying about predicting the exact birthday.
Why You Should Book Newborn Photos Before Your Baby Arrives
It can be tempting to wait until after delivery to contact a newborn photographer. After all, then you’ll know exactly when your baby was born.
The problem is that newborn photographers typically accept a limited number of sessions each month.
By reserving your session during pregnancy, you’re securing space on my calendar around your expected due date rather than trying to find an available appointment after your baby has already arrived.
And once you’re home with a newborn, you’ll probably be pretty happy this is one less thing you have to figure out!
So How Do We Choose a Newborn Session Date?
When you book your newborn session with Kelly Saxon Photography, we begin with your estimated due date.
Your newborn session is then scheduled based on that date.
But—and this is important—that date can be adjusted.
I know babies don’t check my photography calendar before deciding when to make their entrance.
If your baby arrives earlier than expected, we’ll adjust accordingly.
If your baby hasn’t arrived by the time we get close to your scheduled session, we’ll simply move the session to a later available date.
The goal is to keep the process as easy and stress-free as possible.
What If I Have a Scheduled Induction or C-Section?
If you receive a scheduled induction or C-section date after booking your newborn session, just send me an email and let me know.
I can use that information to adjust your newborn session date when needed.
You don’t need to wait until your baby is born to contact me. The sooner I know about a scheduled delivery date, the easier it is to plan your session around your baby’s arrival.
What If My Baby Comes Early?
First—congratulations!
Then, when you have a moment, send me an email and let me know that your little one has arrived.
We’ll look at your original session date and determine whether it still makes sense or whether your session should be moved.
Every baby and every delivery is different, so I don’t expect parents to fit into one rigid scheduling formula.
Your recovery and your baby’s needs come first.
What If My Due Date Passes and Baby Still Isn't Here?
No worries.
This happens all the time.
As your scheduled newborn session approaches, I’ll be in contact with you. If your baby hasn’t arrived yet, your session can be pushed back to the next appropriate available date.
You aren't going to lose your newborn session because your baby decided to ignore their due date.
When Are Newborn Photos Typically Taken?
Newborn sessions are generally photographed during the early weeks after birth, when babies still have many of those tiny newborn characteristics parents want to remember.
But I also believe it’s important to look at the individual baby rather than obsess over an exact number of days.
Babies arrive at different gestational ages. Deliveries and recoveries are different. Feeding and sleeping patterns are different.
Your session should work with your baby—not against them.
During newborn sessions, I use a calm, baby-led approach and carefully watch baby's comfort and cues throughout the session.
What If My Baby Is Already Here and I Didn't Book?
Contact me anyway!
Although booking during pregnancy gives you the best chance of securing a date, occasionally I may have an opening for a baby who has already arrived.
Don't assume you've missed your opportunity just because you didn't schedule during pregnancy.
Reach out, tell me your baby's birth date, and I'll let you know what availability I have.
A Newborn Session Shouldn't Be Another Thing to Stress About
The last few weeks of pregnancy already come with enough unknowns.
When will labor start?
Will baby arrive early?
Will I be induced?
Will I make it to my due date?
Your newborn photography session shouldn't be another source of stress.
That's why I plan around your due date first and your baby's actual arrival second.
You reserve your place on my calendar while you're pregnant, and once we know when your little one decides to arrive, we adjust as needed.
Simple.
Newborn Photography in Murfreesboro & Rutherford County, TN
Kelly Saxon Photography specializes in maternity, newborn and milestone photography from a private studio in Christiana, Tennessee, just outside Murfreesboro.
With more than 20 years of photography experience, specializing in newborns since 2013, and double certification in newborn safety, every newborn session is carefully planned with both beautiful portraits and your baby's safety and comfort in mind.
The studio provides newborn outfits, wraps, props and accessories, so parents don't have to arrive with a car full of supplies after bringing home a new baby.
If you're expecting in Murfreesboro, Christiana, Rutherford County, Nashville or the surrounding Middle Tennessee area, the best time to reserve your newborn session is before your baby arrives.
Your due date gives us a place to start.
Your baby gets to decide the rest. ❤️
Ready to Plan Your Newborn Session?
Visit Kelly Saxon Photography to explore the Newborn Collections and submit a Session Request to reserve your due date.