You know that moment when you're standing in Target, staring at the baby section with your hand on your belly, thinking "I should probably book those maternity photos soon"? And then life happens—another doctor's appointment, nursery shopping, figuring out what a Diaper Genie actually is—and suddenly you're 36 weeks pregnant, realizing every photographer in Nashville is booked solid until your baby's college graduation.

I've been photographing expecting and new mamas in Nashville for years, and I can't tell you how many frantic calls I get from parents who waited just a bit too long. The good news? You're here now, reading this, which means you're not going to be that person scrolling through Instagram at 2 a.m., nine months pregnant, crying over all the maternity sessions you could have had.

Let me walk you through exactly when to book your sessions so you can actually enjoy this fleeting, beautiful, occasionally uncomfortable time—without the stress of missing out.

Why Booking Early Actually Matters (And I'm Not Just Saying That)

Look, I get it. When you're in your first trimester fighting morning sickness (why do they call it morning sickness when it's clearly an all-day situation?), the last thing on your mind is scheduling photos for five months from now. But here's the thing: luxury photography studios—the ones that provide the white-glove, concierge-level service you deserve—book up fast.

At Brown Bunny Photography, I intentionally limit the number of sessions I take each month. Why? Because I'm not interested in rushing you through a 30-minute assembly line session. I want to give you the attention, planning support, and artistic care that creates true heirloom pieces for your home. That level of service requires space in my calendar.

When you book early, you're not just reserving a time slot. You're giving yourself:

• First pick of dates and times (These go fast since dates are limited!)
• Flexibility if baby decides to make an early appearance (or fashionably late entrance)
• Time to plan your wardrobe without panic-shopping at 32 weeks
• Peace of mind knowing it's handled while you focus on, you know, growing a human

Plus, here's a little secret: photographers often offer better package options and bundle deals when you book further in advance.

Photos courtesy of Brown Bunny Photography

The Sweet Spot for Maternity Photos: 28–34 Weeks

If there's one thing I tell every expecting mama, it's this: book your maternity session for sometime between 28 and 34 weeks.

Why this specific window? At 28 weeks, your bump is beautifully round and pronounced—there's no mistaking that you're expecting. You've got that gorgeous pregnancy glow (assuming you're past the exhaustion of the first trimester and not yet in the "please just let me meet this baby" phase of the third). Most importantly, you're still comfortable enough to move around, try different poses, and maybe even wear those flowy dresses without feeling exhausted.

What About Earlier or Later?

Too Early (Before 28 Weeks)

If you shoot before 28 weeks, especially if it's your first baby, your bump might not be as pronounced. I've had mamas come in at 24 weeks absolutely certain they're huge, only to look back at their photos later and think, "Wait, where's my belly?" Trust me, you want that unmistakable baby bump in your photos.

Too Late (After 34 Weeks)

After 34 weeks, things get unpredictable. Some babies arrive at 37 weeks. Some mamas develop complications that lead to bed rest. And let's be honest—by 38 weeks, you might not feel like standing in the studio for an hour while we do all the poses. (Though if you do, more power to you, mama!)

Plus, if your baby decides to arrive early, you'll miss your maternity session entirely. I've seen it happen, and it breaks my heart every time.

The Comfort Factor

During your maternity session, we're all about keeping you comfortable. Think flowy silks that move beautifully in the light (and hide swollen ankles), comfy shoes or bare feet, and plenty of water breaks. I always tell my clients: bring snacks. Bring a pillow for the car ride. Bring your partner to help you in and out of poses. This is about celebrating where you are right now, not creating discomfort.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, the third trimester brings unique physical changes, so we work around those—not against them.

Photos courtesy of Brown Bunny Photography

Booking Your Newborn Session: Earlier Than You Think

Here's where most parents get it wrong: they think they should wait until after the baby arrives to book newborn photos.

Nope. Wrong. Don't do that.

You should book your newborn session during your second trimester—ideally around the same time you're planning your maternity session, or even earlier.

Why Book So Far in Advance?

Newborn photographers keep their calendars intentionally flexible around due dates because, let's face it, babies don't read calendars. But we can only hold those flexible spots for families who've booked ahead. By the time you're in your third trimester, those spots are typically filled.

When you reach out during your second trimester, I can block out a tentative window around your due date. Then when baby actually arrives (whether that's at 38 weeks or 41 weeks), we already have a system in place to nail down the exact session date.

The Magic Window: 7–14 Days Old

The ideal age for newborn portraits is between 7 and 14 days old. During this time, babies are:

• Still incredibly sleepy (all those adorable curled-up poses? Much easier when baby is in that deep newborn sleep)
• Still naturally flexible (hello, taco pose)
• Not yet experiencing the peak of baby acne or infant gas issues
• Still in that fresh, squishy newborn phase before they start "waking up" to the world

Now, I know what you're thinking: "Anne, I just gave birth. I'm not going to want to leave my house at 10 days postpartum."

Fair point! But here's the beautiful thing about working with a luxury newborn photographer—I can come to you. My studio setup is entirely mobile, and I bring everything to your home: props, wraps, backdrops, heaters to keep baby cozy, everything. You literally get to wear your comfortable clothes, sit on your own couch, and let my assistant and I do all the work.

Appalled at the thought of having someone in your home while recovering from childbirth? No worries.  We can also use the studio space.  The joy of the studio is that I can have everything set up before you arrive and take it all down after you leave.  Easy peasy either way!

What If Baby Arrives Early or Late?

Trust me, your newborn is not the first one to completely ignore the "due date" suggestion. I've been doing this long enough to have systems in place for these situations.

If baby arrives early, we just move your session date up. If baby is fashionably late (which, honestly, seems to be most babies), we push it back. I always build buffer room into my calendar specifically for this reason.

When you book early, we have flexibility to adjust. When you wait until after baby arrives to start looking for a photographer, you're scrambling with a newborn, sleep-deprived, and most photographers are already booked.

Photos courtesy of Brown Bunny Photography

The Ultimate Peace of Mind: Maternity + Newborn Bundles

Want to know the smartest thing you can do? Book both your maternity and newborn sessions together as a bundle.

Here's why this is brilliant:

1. One Decision, Two Milestones Covered

You're already researching photographers, looking at portfolios, and making decisions. Why not knock out both bookings at once? Future you (the one wrangling a newborn while surviving on three hours of sleep) will thank you.

2. Consistency in Your Family Story

When you work with the same photographer for both milestones, there's a beautiful visual consistency in your family's portraits. The editing style, the artistic approach, the way your story is told—it all flows together seamlessly. These photos will eventually hang together in your home, and that cohesive look matters.

3. Better Value

Most luxury photographers (myself included) offer bundle pricing that gives you more value than booking separately. Plus, you often get priority scheduling and additional perks like wardrobe consultations and album design services.

4. We Already Know You

By the time your newborn session rolls around, I already know your style, your family dynamics, what makes you laugh. We've built a relationship. You're not starting from scratch with someone new while adjusting to life with a newborn.

Photos courtesy of Brown Bunny Photography

What If You've Already Missed "The Window"?

Okay, let's say you're reading this at 36 weeks pregnant, or your baby is already 4 weeks old. Have you missed your chance forever? Should you just resign yourself to only having iPhone photos?

Absolutely not.

First of all, deep breath. It's going to be okay.

While yes, there are "ideal" windows for maternity and newborn photography, there are always alternatives:

For Late Pregnancy

If you're past 34 weeks but baby hasn't arrived yet, we can still make maternity photos happen! We'll just plan for a shorter, more comfortable session. Some of my favorite maternity photos have been sessions at 37 or 38 weeks that captured the beautiful anticipation right before baby arrived. We just take it slow and easy and take lots of breaks.

For Older Newborns

If your baby is past the 2-week mark, we can still do a baby session. Instead of those super curled-up, sleepy poses, we focus on what baby is comfortable doing.  Older babies are usually really happy swaddled, so often we take more wrapped, prop images than posed shots.  I promise that you will still have beautiful images of your sweet little one to love. Different doesn't mean less than.

Milestone Sessions

Consider booking milestone sessions instead: three months, six months, and 12 months. These sessions capture your baby's rapid development and create a beautiful series documenting their first year. If you're interested in learning more about what to expect, check out my guide on How to prepare for your child's first photoshoot.

The bottom line? It's never truly "too late" to capture your story. The best time to book was three months ago. The second best time is right now.

Photos courtesy of Brown Bunny Photography

Behind the Scenes: How a Nashville Newborn Photographer Actually Works

Let me pull back the curtain a bit and share how I approach scheduling and client care at Brown Bunny Photography, because understanding the process might help you see why timing matters so much.

Limited Availability by Design

I only take a certain number of maternity and newborn families each month. Why? Because I refuse to compromise on quality or service. Each family gets:

• Pre-session wardrobe consultation (I'll help you plan what to wear so you feel confident and beautiful. I have a client closet available for your use that ranges from the floofiest of tulle dresses to simple but elegant gowns, plus every color of silk imaginable.)
• Detailed preparation checklist
• Custom backdrops and props designed and crafted specifically for your child for one of a kind images
• Flexible scheduling around baby's arrival
• Extended session time without rushing
• Personalized attention during the shoot
• Careful editing of each image
• Help designing albums and wall art for your home

This level of concierge service simply isn't possible if I'm photographing five newborns every week. I'd rather serve fewer families exceptionally well than overbook and provide a rushed experience.

The Wiggle Room Factor

For newborn sessions, I intentionally keep my calendar flexible. Here's how it works:

1. You book during your second trimester and provide your due date
2. I block out a 6-week window around that date (2 weeks before, 4 weeks after)
3. When baby arrives, you text me (seriously, as soon as you're up for it—even from the hospital, because let's face it, I'm going to want pictures to squeal over.)
4. We schedule the exact session date, typically 7–14 days after birth
5. I keep backup dates available in case those early weeks are rough and we need to reschedule

This system only works when families book in advance. If you wait until after baby is born, I'm already committed to the families who planned ahead.

The Nashville Factor

Nashville and the surrounding areas—Franklin, Murfreesboro, Brentwood—have seen incredible growth in recent years. With that growth comes more families looking for luxury newborn photography. The competition for prime spots with experienced photographers is real.

Many of my clients are busy professionals who appreciate efficiency and planning. They're used to handling logistics and checking items off their to-do lists. Booking photography sessions months in advance? That just makes sense to their organized brains.

If that sounds like you, then you already understand why early booking isn't about pressure—it's about smart planning.

Photos courtesy of Brown Bunny Photography

FAQ: Your Timeline Questions Answered

• When is the best time to book maternity photos?  Book your session for between 28 and 34 weeks pregnant, but reach out to reserve your spot during your second trimester (around 16–20 weeks). This gives you first choice of dates and plenty of time to plan wardrobe and details without stress.
• What if my baby comes early or late?  No worries! When you book your newborn session in advance, your photographer builds flexibility into the schedule. Simply contact them when baby arrives, and they'll adjust your session date to fall within that ideal 7–14 day window, whenever that ends up being.
• Can I book maternity and newborn sessions together?  Absolutely, and I highly recommend it! Bundle packages typically offer better value, ensure consistency in your family's portraits, and mean one less thing to plan during your pregnancy. You can book both sessions at once and then adjust the newborn date after baby arrives.
• Is 35 weeks too late for maternity photos?  Not necessarily, but it's cutting it close. If you're already 35 weeks or later, contact your photographer immediately. Many can still accommodate you with a shorter session, especially if you're willing to be flexible with timing. Just know that baby could arrive any day, so book ASAP.
• What if my newborn is older than 2 weeks?  You can absolutely still do a newborn session! The style may shift slightly from those super sleepy, curled-up poses to more personality shots capturing baby awake and alert. Many photographers (including me) photograph babies up to 4–6 weeks old with beautiful results. The key is being honest with your photographer about baby's age so they can plan accordingly.  Bigger babies sometimes don't fit in the tiny newborn outfits, so knowing age helps me plan sizes.
• How far in advance do Nashville newborn photographers book up?  This varies by photographer, but luxury studios often book 2–4 months in advance, sometimes more during peak seasons (hello, fall and spring babies). Don't assume you can book a few weeks before your due date and get your first choice of photographer.

Don't Let These Fleeting Moments Slip Away

Here's the truth about newborn and maternity photos that I wish more parents understood: these aren't just "nice to have" someday items. They're not frivolous luxuries or silly vanity projects.

These photos become the tangible proof of one of the most transformative times in your life. They're what you'll look at in ten years when your child is struggling with math homework and you can barely remember them fitting in the crook of your arm. They're what you'll hang on your walls, pass down through generations, and treasure when life feels too fast.

That belly you're carrying right now? It won't be there in a few months. That squishy newborn with the tiny curled toes? They're already growing while you read this.

I can't slow down time for you (believe me, if I could, I'd bottle it and sell it). But I can help you capture it. I can create portraits that do justice to this fleeting, extraordinary season of your life—portraits that feel like you, that showcase your family's authentic story, and that you'll be proud to display in your home for years to come.

But only if you reach out now.

Ready to Secure Your Spot?

If you're expecting and located in Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, or anywhere in Middle Tennessee, I'd love to chat about capturing your maternity and newborn milestones.

Don't be the mama who looks back six months from now wishing she'd booked when she had the chance. Your future self—the one holding that rapidly growing baby—will be so grateful you took the time to preserve these precious moments.

Contact Brown Bunny Photography today to check availability and learn more about maternity and newborn packages. Let's make sure your family's story is captured beautifully—before these moments slip away.

Because trust me, you blink and suddenly that baby bump has turned into a kindergartener asking why you're crying over their newborn photos. 

Let's chat soon—I can't wait to meet your growing family.

Brown Bunny Photography specializes in luxury maternity and newborn photography serving Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, and Middle Tennessee. For more information about sessions, wardrobe planning, and creating heirloom art for your home, visit brownbunnyphoto.com.