One of the most common questions I hear from expecting parents is:

“When should we book our newborn photos?”

If this is your first baby, it’s a completely fair question. There are so many things to plan during pregnancy that newborn photography sometimes doesn’t make it onto the list until the last minute.

The short answer is that most families book their newborn session during pregnancy, usually sometime in the second or early third trimester. This simply ensures that your photographer has space reserved around your due date.

In my Bluffdale studio, many families travel from Salt Lake City, Draper, Riverton, and surrounding communities for their newborn session, and booking ahead helps make sure everything is ready for you when your baby arrives.

The Best Time to Book Your Newborn Session

The ideal time to reserve your newborn photography session is between 20 and 32 weeks of pregnancy.

At this point you’re usually feeling a little more settled into pregnancy, and it gives plenty of time to secure a spot on the calendar.

Because newborn sessions happen within a very small window after baby arrives, photographers typically schedule sessions based on your due date, not a specific day.

That way, when your baby makes their grand entrance — whether a little early or a little late — we can adjust the session date accordingly.

When Are Newborn Photos Usually Taken?

Most newborn portraits are photographed when babies are between 5 and 18 days old.

During those first days, babies are typically:

• very sleepy

• naturally curly and snuggly

• comfortable being gently posed

This stage allows for those soft, peaceful newborn portraits that so many parents love.

After those early weeks babies begin to stretch out more and stay awake longer, which creates a different style of portrait.

Both are beautiful — they’re just different experiences.

What Happens If My Baby Arrives Early or Late?

This is something parents worry about all the time, but it’s completely normal and easy to plan for.

When you book a newborn session during pregnancy, the session is reserved around your due date rather than a fixed calendar day.

Once your baby arrives, you simply send a quick message and we schedule the exact session date based on when baby is here.

That flexibility is built into the process so parents never have to stress about timing.

What If My Baby Is Already Here?

If your baby has already arrived and you’re just starting to think about newborn photos — don’t panic.

While the classic sleepy newborn portraits are usually done within the first 2-3 weeks, beautiful baby portraits can absolutely still be created after that.

Older newborn sessions often include:

• more eye contact

• sweet stretches and expressions

• more interaction with parents

Every stage of those early weeks is worth remembering.

A Calm, Guided Newborn Experience

One of my favorite parts of newborn photography is helping parents relax and enjoy the experience.

Sessions in my Bluffdale studio are calm, unhurried, and fully styled with carefully selected wraps, textures, and heirloom pieces so you don’t have to worry about bringing anything.

Many families visiting from Salt Lake City, South Jordan, Draper, and surrounding areas say the session feels like a quiet pause during those busy early weeks of parenthood.

And the result is timeless artwork that preserves just how tiny your baby once was.

Planning Your Newborn Photography Session

If you’re expecting and beginning to plan your newborn photography session, booking during pregnancy is the best way to ensure availability around your due date.

You can learn more about the experience here:

[Newborn Photography Experience]

Or explore recent sessions in the

[Newborn Gallery]

I would love to help you preserve this beautiful and fleeting season.

I think the hardest job I’ve ever had is being a mother. I second guess every decision I make, I worry about my children’s happiness, and some days I hide in the closet because I just can’t take one more child asking me for something. My clients range from first time mamas to seasoned veterans. But I always feel each of these mama’s love for her newborn.

When my clients come in for their newborn sessions they each have their own set of needs. Some moms don’t want to leave their babies sides, some take a nap on the couch, some leave their spouse and go pick up lunch. And all of those things are ok. Self care is so important as you become a mom. When we can care for ourselves, then we can give 100% when we’re with our children.

I love hearing advice from clients on different topics and I’m always happy to give my advice on mothering even though I’m just limping along my own journey still. I don’t claim to know everything but when we can all share and help each other we can lighten each other’s loads and not feel as alone in this phase of life.

Let’s raise each other up in this sometimes lonely place we all motherhood. Because we all know it takes a village.

Nothing excites me more than when a client tells me I can choose whatever colors I want for their baby’s newborn session. My Bluffdale, Utah studio is stocked with every possible color you could imagine and I love letting my creativity soar with this kind of open mindedness. I also understand that some parents have a general color scheme in mind to match baby’s nursery or just have colors that they really love. If you’re planning a session and want to see how these colors come together in finished portraits, you can explore my newborn photography gallery here.

Oftentimes though, I think new mamas and daddy’s just aren’t sure what to choose so I get a lot of the typical pink/cream and blue/gray requests. I love those colors as much as the next girl but there are so many beautiful colors in the rainbow! Sometimes a color you would never think to select is the one you love the most.

Because your session includes a proofing gallery you get to choose the final images to be edited. If a color I add in for your baby is one you end up not liking that is perfectly ok! You get to choose! But if I had advice to give I would say choose unique for your baby.

Bright sunshiny yellow (my favorite). Raspberry pink. Jade green or deep merlot. I have something for everyone. Or should I say every-baby? And if you can’t choose, maybe just choose them all.

Planning Your Newborn Session

If you’re expecting and starting to plan your newborn photography session, color selection is one of the most fun parts of the process. Sessions are fully styled in my Bluffdale studio with a wide collection of wraps, textures, and heirloom pieces to create timeless portraits.

You can learn more about what to expect here:

Newborn Photography Experience

or explore recent sessions in the

Newborn Portfolio

I have been doing a lot of cake smashes in the studio recently. Can’t blame parents for wanting a fun bright shoot with their littles to document that first year of life! Some parents come to me with an exact idea of what they want for their shoots and others are a little unsure. I also get a lot of the same requests and I’m not sure if that’s because they just can’t think of anything else or because it’s all they can really find on Pinterest (or maybe it’s just what they really love). I thought I would put together a helpful guide to get those creative juices flowing and inspire a unique birthday shoot for your toddler!

The Cake

Is there anything more important to a cake smash than the cake? There are so many amazing cake ideas and finding a great one can help you create the theme for the entire photo shoot. The animal circus cookie one speaks to me on so many levels. Just the cutest!

Sources: Lady in the Wild West, Sugar and Sparrow, Frosted Fuji Cakes

The Decorations

Some people like it simple and some like it as loud as possible. Really, just have fun with it. Maybe you want it a little more simple because your baby is a little shy and timid. Maybe they like a certain color. Or maybe it’s just something you really love and just want to do! These pictures are just some jumping off points to what your cake smash can be! I can’t get over how dang cute the rainbow and space ones would be!

Sources: Richelle Bergen, Vroom Vroom Balloon, Party & Confetti, One Stylish Party, Anna Claire Tadlock, Balloon Therapy, Poppies for Grace, Glitter and Glue Parties and one of my all time favorite instagram accounts for cake smash inspiration ML Handmade

If you’re planning a first birthday session and looking for cake smash inspiration, these setups are a great place to start. Every session is designed around your baby’s personality and the style you love most.

You can learn more about my baby milestone and cake smash sessions here.

My sweet friend Turia with Sugar Kisses Cakes lives right in my neighborhood and I am not lying when I say her buttercream frosting is OUT OF THIS WORLD. The balloon banner I provide may be taken home at the end and used for future birthday parties etc.

Contact me to start planning your baby’s first birthday photos.

Jessie Oberg is a newborn and baby milestone photographer serving Bluffdale, Riverton, Draper, South Jordan, and the greater Salt Lake Valley. Her studio specializes in newborn, sitter, and first birthday cake smash sessions.

One of the most common questions I get from expecting parents is, “When is the best time to book my newborn session?”

In most cases, I recommend scheduling your newborn photos within the first two weeks after baby arrives while they are still very sleepy and naturally curled. That stage allows for those soft, cozy poses that feel so timeless.

That being said, I also understand that life with a newborn doesn’t always go exactly as planned. Sometimes babies arrive early, need extra care, or those first few weeks simply feel overwhelming. I always do my best to accommodate families whenever I can, even if baby is a little older.

This sweet baby was photographed at five weeks old, and while sessions at that age look a little different, they are still just as meaningful. We focus more on wrapped setups and natural expressions, and sometimes those little stretches, eye contact, and tiny personalities start to shine through in such a special way.

Every stage holds something beautiful, and my goal is always to create images that feel calm, timeless, and true to your baby – no matter when your session takes place.

Newborn Photography in the Salt Lake Valley

My newborn photography studio is located in Bluffdale and serves families throughout Salt Lake City, Draper, Riverton, South Jordan, Herriman, Sandy, Bountiful, Layton, and the surrounding Salt Lake Valley. Sessions are designed to be calm and fully guided so parents can relax while every detail is taken care of.

If you’re expecting and thinking about newborn photos, I’d love to help you plan a session that feels simple and stress-free. You can learn more about the newborn photography experience here or view additional newborn sessions in the gallery.

The Dainty Miss

Pretty Luxe Designs

Poppy & Cy

Goodnight Moon Props

Created by Carli

These early days go by so quickly, and it’s such an honor to photograph them in a way that feels timeless and natural. This sweet little girl slept so peacefully through her session, and I loved creating these soft, simple images for her family to look back on for years to come.

Continually Learning in Newborn Photography

Newborn photography is a very specialized type of portrait photography, and I believe strongly in continuing education so I can keep refining my posing, lighting, and styling. I’ve learned so much over the years through workshops and mentorships with other newborn photographers, and those experiences have helped shape the calm, baby-led approach I use in my studio today.

Newborn Photography in the Salt Lake Valley

My newborn photography studio is located in Bluffdale and serves families throughout Salt Lake City, Draper, Riverton, South Jordan, Herriman, Sandy, Bountiful, and Layton. Most newborn sessions take place within the first two weeks after baby arrives while they are still very sleepy and naturally curled.

When should newborn photos be taken?

Newborn sessions are typically photographed within the first 5–14 days after baby arrives while babies are still very sleepy and comfortable being gently posed. Many families reserve their newborn session during the second trimester to ensure availability.

If you’re expecting a baby and are looking for a newborn photographer in the Salt Lake Valley, I’d love to help you document this special season. My Bluffdale studio serves families from Salt Lake City, Draper, Herriman, Riverton, South Jordan, and surrounding areas. You can learn more about the newborn photography experience here or view additional newborn portraits in my newborn gallery.

I love neutrals for newborn sessions but I love color just as much. Which is your favorite?