When to Reserve Fine Art Maternity & Newborn Portraits: A Guide for Expecting Families

Andriana Dyakova
Jan 18
5 min read

Pregnancy is a season filled with anticipation, vulnerability, transformation, and joy. It unfolds quietly at first — fluttering movements, shifting emotions, a belly that begins to curve — and before long, you find yourself nearing the moment when you will finally hold your child for the first time. These months pass quickly, and the earliest days with your newborn pass even faster. New parents often share that they wish they could freeze time during those fleeting weeks when their baby still sleeps curled against their chest and fits perfectly into the palms of their hands. Fine Art maternity and newborn portraits allow families to honor and preserve this chapter in a way that feels tender, intentional, and beautifully refined.

One of the most common questions I receive from expecting mothers and families is, “When should we reserve our maternity and newborn portraits?” While it may seem early to plan photographs before a baby arrives, the timing of your reservation plays a significant role in shaping your experience. This guide will help you understand the ideal scheduling window, why early planning matters, and how to make your maternity and newborn portrait journey feel effortless and meaningful.

Why Early Reservations Matter

Fine Art newborn photography is a highly specialized artistic discipline. It requires more than a camera and a blanket — it involves years of training in newborn safety, posing, studio lighting, color harmony, and retouching. The level of detail that goes into creating timeless Fine Art portraits means that photographers who work at this level typically accept a limited number of sessions each month. This ensures that each family receives ample time for planning, styling, photographing, and thoughtful post-production work.

Because of this limited availability, it’s best to reserve your maternity and newborn sessions as soon as you feel comfortable sharing your pregnancy with others — ideally at the beginning of your second trimester, around 14 to 20 weeks. Reserving during this window allows you to secure your preferred dates and gives us time to discuss styling, wardrobe selection, and whether you prefer a studio session or an in-home experience. For families in San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles, early reservations are especially important during busier months such as March through December and near holidays, when availability becomes more limited.

The Ideal Time for Maternity Portraits

Maternity portraits are an elegant celebration of motherhood — an opportunity to step into your femininity, strength, and beauty during a season that is both emotionally profound and physically transformative. While every mother carries differently, the ideal time to photograph maternity portraits is generally between 28 and 34 weeks. During this window, your baby bump has a beautifully rounded shape, and you are far enough along to visibly show your pregnancy while still feeling comfortable moving, posing, and standing for periods of time.

There are exceptions, of course. Mothers who are expecting twins or multiples often show earlier and may feel most comfortable being photographed between 24 and 30 weeks. More petite mothers may want to schedule closer to 26 and 32 weeks. These nuances are a beautiful reminder that every pregnancy is unique, and part of my role is to guide you toward a timeline that honors your comfort and style.

The aesthetic you envision may also influence scheduling. If you are drawn to Fine Art studio portraits, where light is sculpted and posing is intentionally crafted, we can schedule at any time of day and rely on controlled lighting. If you prefer an outdoor maternity session along the beaches of La Jolla, we will schedule during the golden hour just before sunset. This light creates graceful silhouettes, soft skin tones, and a romantic glow that beautifully complements the natural landscape of Southern California.

When to Photograph Your Newborn

Newborns change dramatically in the first few weeks of life. In the earliest days, babies sleep deeply, curl gently into womb-like poses, and settle easily when swaddled. For Fine Art newborn portraits, the ideal time to photograph your baby is between 5 and 10 days after birth. During this window, newborns are often sleepier, more flexible, and more easily soothed, allowing for elegant, sculptural posing that conveys serenity and fragility.

While the first two weeks are ideal for classic Fine Art posing, newborn photography does not have to happen exclusively within this time frame. Many families choose to photograph their newborn at 2 to 4 weeks old, especially for in-home lifestyle sessions. These sessions capture more awake expressions, early personality, and tender interactions between family members. Babies may stretch, yawn, gaze toward the window light, or fall asleep in a parent's arms — each moment a genuine reflection of early parenthood.

The important thing is to choose an approach that aligns with your vision. If you desire refined, curled poses with soft wraps and neutral palettes, a studio session in the first two weeks is ideal. If you prefer storytelling, natural images within your home environment, a slightly older age works beautifully.

Due Dates and Flexibility

Because babies rarely arrive on a precise schedule, newborn portrait reservations are structured around your estimated due date, not a fixed session day. Once your baby arrives, you simply notify me within the first few days, and we select the exact session date based on your recovery and your baby’s feeding and sleep rhythms. This approach allows space for early arrivals, late arrivals, cesarean recovery, NICU time, or the natural need for rest during the postpartum period.

Reserving Maternity and Newborn Together

Many families choose to reserve both sessions together for a seamless experience. Booking a Bump-to-Baby Journey ensures consistent styling, cohesive storytelling, and priority scheduling for your newborn portrait session. It also allows us to design artwork collections — such as albums, framed pieces, or handcrafted prints— that document your transformation into motherhood and your baby's earliest days in a harmonious and meaningful way.

Final Thoughts

Pregnancy and early parenthood pass in a blur of emotion and quiet milestones. Reserving your maternity and newborn portraits early ensures that when the moment arrives, you can simply relax, be present with your baby, and trust that your story will be documented with sensitivity and artistry. It is always an honor to step into this chapter with the families I serve and to create heirloom portraits that preserve a piece of their legacy.