So as many of you know, I am lucky enough to specialise in photographing tiny, gorgeous, beautiful newborn babies! Every single baby that comes to my studio, in Seaforth Liverpool, is different and I fall a bit in love with each and every one of them. So you can imagine how hard it is for me to have to turn away new mums wanting a newborn photo shoot because I am fully booked up!

When are these shoots done?

These adorable sessions are done before the baby is 2 weeks old. Why? Because newborn photography poses are based on womb poses! Your baby is used to being all curled up in your womb, so they don’t bat an eyelid at being put into these cute positions for the photo shoot. After 2 weeks your baby has gotten used to being outside of your womb and is stretching out more and doesn’t like being curled up as much, so it is a lot harder for me to get them into those lovely newborn poses that you’re wanting! After 2 weeks babies are also more alert, before 2/3 weeks they sleep a lot and this enables us to flow through the poses without disturbing them as they are well away dreaming!

Why I have to turn people away

As I only have a 2 week time frame to fit these cuties in it is hard when I get phone calls and messages off people with a 1-2 week old baby to find a slot for them! This is because I already have some newborns pre booked in as well as other photo shoots like cake smashes and family shoots and weddings! I take on a set number of newborns every month in advance and I make sure that I have free days to fit them in once they are born, last minute bookings sometimes only give me a 4 day time frame to fit them in and it just is not possible as I can’t move around other shoots with not much notice! I hate turning excited mums away and I understand that a lot of people don’t realise that these shoots need to be booked in advance so that is why I am writing this blog!

When should I book my newborn photo shoot?

You can book your newborn shoot any time after your 20 week scan, the sooner the better! I take a deposit and your due date and you just let me know as soon as your little one arrives and then I fit them in within that two week time frame 🙂 I’m currently taking bookings for March and April babies! (It is now November)

If you’re reading this and you’ve seen my photos and thought ‘Oh i’d love a shoot like that I will get in touch when the baby is here and book’ PLEASE just get in touch now and book, then it’s also one less thing to stress about when the baby is here as it will all already be sorted 🙂

Newborns do not stay newborns for long, they change so fast so these photo shoots are so important as you can look back on them and remember how small your baby really was and can see all of their gorgeous features and details. 

All images copyrighted to Rachel Clarke Photography – Liverpool Newborn and baby Photographer