When to Schedule Your Indianapolis Newborn Session

As an Indianapolis newborn photographer, one of the most common questions I hear from expecting parents is: “When should we schedule our newborn session?” If you’re asking yourself this same question, you’re absolutely not alone. It’s one of the most important decisions you’ll make as you prepare to welcome your little one, and I’m so glad you’re thinking ahead.

Here’s why this is such a great question to ask early: newborns are only tiny for such a fleeting moment. Those first weeks pass in a beautiful blur of snuggles, feeding schedules, and adjusting to your new normal as a family. Before you know it, those delicate newborn features begin to change, and that precious curled-up pose they naturally hold starts to unfold. Planning your Indianapolis newborn session in advance ensures you document these irreplaceable moments exactly when your baby is at their tiniest and most peaceful.

When to Book an Indianapolis Newborn Photographer?

Before we even talk about when to schedule your actual session, let’s back up a step. The most important thing you can do is reserve your newborn photographer early—ideally during your second trimester. I know that might seem surprisingly early, but here’s why it matters.

As a full service newborn photographer in the Indianapolis area, I only take on a handful of newborn sessions per month. This limited availability allows me to provide the personalized, unhurried experience that makes each session so special. It also means that spots fill up quickly, sometimes months in advance. By reaching out during your second trimester, you’re securing your place on my calendar and ensuring you won’t be left scrambling to find availability after your baby arrives.

Booking early also takes one more thing off your third-trimester to-do list. As you get closer to your due date, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your preferred photographer has availability. Plus, if you’re interested in maternity photos, booking your newborn session early makes it easy to coordinate both sessions seamlessly.

If you’re considering both maternity and newborn photography, you might want to explore The Baby Plan, a membership designed specifically for expecting families that includes both sessions and ensures your space is reserved well in advance.

The Best Timeframe for Indianapolis Newborn Photos

Now, let’s talk about the actual timing of your Indianapolis newborn session. While every baby is unique and we’ll always work with your family’s specific situation, I’ve found that the sweet spot for newborn photography is between 6 and 12 days old. During this window, babies are still naturally curled up in those womb-like positions, they sleep more deeply, and they haven’t yet developed baby acne or the alert, awake periods that become more common after two weeks.

That said, I’m happy to photograph newborns up to one month old. Even if we photograph your little one at three or four weeks, we’ll still capture those precious tiny details—the little fingers and toes, the wispy hair, the button nose. The images will still be absolutely beautiful and meaningful. Some babies are simply more comfortable being photographed a bit later, and that’s completely okay!

Special Circumstances

Life doesn’t always go according to plan, and babies certainly don’t follow our schedules. If you’re expecting multiples, there’s a chance your babies might arrive early or need some extra time in the NICU. If your baby requires a NICU stay, we’ll work together on a case-by-case basis. Depending on why your baby is in the NICU and how long they’ll be there, we can schedule your session for when everyone is home, settled, and ready. The same goes for multiples, whether they arrive early or right on schedule, we’ll coordinate the perfect timing for your family.

My approach to scheduling Indianapolis newborn sessions is built on flexibility. Babies are wonderfully unpredictable, and I plan for that. This is exactly why I limit my newborn sessions each month! So I can be flexible when your baby decides to arrive a week early, or when someone in the family catches a cold and we need to reschedule. Your session can happen when everyone is healthy and ready, without the stress of rigid scheduling.

Consider Your Family’s Schedule

When planning your Indianapolis newborn session, it’s important to think about your family’s unique circumstances beyond just baby’s age.

Postpartum Recovery: Every mother’s recovery is different. Some moms feel ready and excited to get dressed and have their photos taken within a week, while others need a bit more time. Listen to your body and communicate with me. We can absolutely adjust timing if you need a few extra days to feel more like yourself.

Partner’s Paternity Leave: If your partner is taking time off work, you might want to schedule your session during that window so everyone can be relaxed and present without worrying about work schedules.

Older Siblings: If you have older children, consider their schedule too. Is there a particularly fussy time of day we should avoid? Are they in preschool certain days? For Indianapolis newborn sessions that include siblings, I suggest having them join us at the beginning of the session while they’re fresh and excited. It’s also helpful to have another adult available to entertain them toward the end if they’re ready to be done before we finish photographing baby.

Extended Family: If grandparents or other family members will be traveling to meet the baby, you might want to coordinate your session around their visit so they can be included in a few portraits.

Flexibility & Backup Plans for Indianapolis Newborn Photoshoots

One of the questions I hear often is: “What happens if we need to reschedule?” This is where my approach really shines. Because I intentionally limit my monthly newborn sessions to just four families, I can offer incredible flexibility that many photographers simply can’t provide.

If Baby Arrives Early or Late: Babies follow their own timeline, not ours. If your little one decides to arrive earlier or later than expected, simply reach out and we’ll adjust your session date accordingly. This flexibility is built into how I run my business.

If Someone Gets Sick: With a newborn in the house and possibly older siblings too, illness can happen. If anyone in your family isn’t feeling well, we’ll reschedule (no stress, no penalties). Baby’s health and your family’s wellbeing always come first.

Fussy Baby Days: Even on the day of your session, if baby is having a particularly difficult day, we can pause and reschedule. While most babies settle beautifully during their session, I never want you to feel pressured to push through if it’s just not working.

This flexible approach is one of the hallmarks of working with me for your Indianapolis newborn session. You’re not just booking a time slot. You’re partnering with a photographer who understands that babies and families need grace and flexibility.

How Long Does an Indianapolis Newborn Session Take?

Every baby is different, which is why I don’t set a strict time limit for newborn sessions. Typically, an Indianapolis newborn session takes between 45 minutes to an hour. However, babies need what they need. If your little one needs extra time to feed, or needs some soothing and comfort, we’ll take that time. Some sessions extend to two hours or more, and that’s perfectly fine!

This is another reason why clients enjoy working with me, you’ll never feel rushed or stressed about watching the clock. My baby-led approach means we follow your infant’s cues. If they need a feeding break, we pause. If they’re sleeping soundly, we keep working. The goal is always to create a calm, peaceful environment that results in those beautiful, natural images you’ll treasure forever.

My studio is kept warm and comfortable for baby, and I encourage parents to settle in with a cup of coffee or tea. Many parents tell me that their Indianapolis newborn session feels less like a photo appointment and more like a peaceful morning spent bonding with their new baby while I quietly document the magic.

Best Time of Day for Indianapolis Newborn Portraits

Unlike outdoor sessions that depend on golden hour, your Indianapolis newborn session can be scheduled whenever works best for your family’s routine.

That said, I’ve found that mid-morning sessions (around 10 AM) tend to work beautifully for most families. By this time, you’ve had a chance to feed baby, get everyone ready at a reasonable pace, and arrive at the studio without the stress of an early morning rush. Baby has typically had their morning feeding and is ready to settle into sleep for portraits.

If you’d like more detailed information about timing, I recently wrote an in-depth guide about the best time of day for studio newborn sessions that covers this topic in more detail.

We’ll also work around your baby’s feeding schedule. Most newborns eat every 2-3 hours, so we’ll plan accordingly. If baby needs to eat during the session, that’s absolutely expected and welcomed. Hair and makeup services can also be scheduled for you before your session if you’d like that extra pampering. Just let me know and I can coordinate everything for you!

What to Expect During Your Indianapolis Newborn Session

When you arrive at my studio for your Indianapolis newborn session, you’ll find a calm, warm, and welcoming space. My approach is clean and minimal. We use soft white backdrops and wraps that keep the focus exactly where it should be: on your beautiful baby.

You won’t find elaborate props or complicated setups in my studio. Instead, my style is all about capturing the organic beauty of your newborn in their most natural state. We follow baby’s lead entirely, working with their comfort level and natural positions rather than forcing poses. This creates authentic, timeless images that feel genuine rather than staged.

As a full-service photographer, I handle every detail of your experience from start to finish. From helping you plan what to wear to your session, to coordinating hair and makeup if desired, to guiding you through selecting and displaying your favorite images afterward. I’m with you every step of the way! This comprehensive approach is something my clients consistently mention in their reviews, and it’s a cornerstone of how I work.

If you’re curious about what this experience looks like, take a peek at this recent Indianapolis newborn session to see the simple, timeless style I create for families.

Coordinating Your Maternity and Newborn Sessions

Many families choose to capture both their maternity and newborn journey with me. If you’re considering maternity photos as well, the ideal time for those is between 27-32 weeks (or 24-27 weeks for multiples). By booking both sessions when you’re in your second trimester, you can plan everything at once and have both dates on your calendar.

The Baby Plan makes this coordination even simpler, bundling your maternity and newborn sessions together. You can learn more about creating a complete visual story of your growing family in this post about maternity photography in the Indianapolis area.

Conclusion: When to Schedule Your Indianapolis Newborn Session

Let’s recap the key points for planning your Indianapolis newborn session:

• Book your photographer during your second trimester to secure your space
• Plan to photograph baby between 6-12 days old, though up to one month works beautifully
• Mid-morning sessions (around 10 AM) tend to work well for most families
• Expect 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on baby’s needs—we’re completely flexible
• Trust in the flexibility—we can reschedule if baby arrives early/late or if illness occurs
• Consider coordinating with maternity photos or explore The Baby Plan for a complete experience

The most important thing is to reach out early. Once you know you’re expecting, that’s the perfect time to start thinking about your newborn photography. By planning ahead, you’re giving yourself one less thing to worry about as your due date approaches, and you’re ensuring that these precious early moments will be beautifully preserved.

Your Indianapolis newborn session should feel like a peaceful, unhurried celebration of your newest family member. When you work with a photographer who understands babies, values flexibility, and focuses on creating timeless heirloom images, the experience becomes just as meaningful as the photographs themselves.

Ready to Schedule Your Indianapolis Newborn Session?

If you’re expecting and want to ensure your newborn’s first days are captured beautifully, I’d love to work with you. Reach out today to check availability and reserve your spot—remember, I only take on a limited number of newborn sessions each month, and they book well in advance.

Contact me here to start planning your Indianapolis newborn session. I can’t wait to meet your little one and create heirloom images your family will treasure for generations.