What’s Right for You: When To Do Newborn Pictures
I often get asked what timeframe is best for newborn photography. And while there isn’t a guarantee for any perfect time frame, the answer can vary based on your needs and what type of images you are looking for.
Every baby is unique, and there are no hard and fast rules. Some parents prefer waiting a little longer, allowing their baby to become more alert and show their emerging personality. Others may want to capture those early weeks, where the baby is still curled up and sleepy. Ultimately, the decision is yours.
Considering baby and mama’s safety and comfort is paramount. These tiny humans like to keep us on our toes, and while you may block out a tentative date for your newborn session, we will always move it if medical conditions or mom’s recovery warrants extra time. I never want to put either of you at risk for photos. We can get them when the time is right.
Just remember no matter what time frame you choose, we can get beautiful photos. So, let's find the perfect window for your newborn photoshoot together.
When to Do Newborn Pictures: Two Time Frames
Early Newborns (7-21 days)
If you poke around the internet for newborn photography, the images you most commonly see are often done with very young newborns. The first two-three weeks are the most popular age because the baby usually sleeps more hours in the day. Having just come out of the tiny womb, they are still very flexible and curled up. So, posing them is usually easier when they can stay in a deep sleep and aren’t strong enough to push themselves out of a pose. The stage is the shortest of them all, so it can be really sweet to capture all those precious newborn details.
All this said, I have had many babies at this age who came to me on a very gassy day or had trouble with feedings. Some babies are a little more sensitive and don’t like being moved and posed at all, at any age. Some are also bigger and stronger at birth and don’t hold poses as well. Perhaps your baby was premature and spent their first few weeks in the NICU. The list can go on for any number of things that may make posing and sleep challenging. So, while those first few weeks are a better bet for posing, they are human just like us and can have bad days or simply vary from one another—their personalities are already forming!
If you hope to get more of the curled up and sleepy poses, then the best chance is during that first 2 to 3 week window. However, keep in mind that we may need to adjust and do a fully- or mostly-wrapped session if your baby doesn’t want to fall into a deep sleep or hold poses.
Take a look at some pictures of early newborns.
Older Newborns (4-12 weeks)
For many families, the first few weeks just aren’t ideal. Maybe you had a rough delivery, or recovery is taking some time. Perhaps you’re trying to work through some feeding challenges (I know I did), or maybe you just aren’t comfortable leaving the house that early with your baby. After my first baby, my delivery was harder than I expected, and I was not ready to get dressed up and have my photo taken in the early stages. So I embrace the older newborns just as much as the early newborns.
With older newborns, we can still get beautiful photos, but some womb-like poses or hands under chin poses may not be possible. The flip side is that we can get some shots that are not as easy to get with the younger babies. Babies start to quickly get stronger and more alert with each passing work. BUT as babies get older, there is more of a chance for smiles and other sweet expressions. We can often capture their beautiful eyes if they are content in a wrap but aren’t sleeping. They also start to look more like themselves as they grow into their skin during those few extra weeks and they if they were tiny at birth, they may have plumped up a bit. The list goes on for the benefits of older newborn sessions.
As mentioned above, nothing is a guarantee. I’ve had 4-week-old babies that I could pose like a 10-day-old and vice versa. I just always want to align expectations based on the most probable outcome.
How to Make the Most of Your Newborn Photoshoot
A newborn photoshoot is a wonderful opportunity to capture the fleeting moments of your baby's early days. Here are some tips to help you make the most of this special experience:
1. Discuss Your Vision
Before the photoshoot, collaborate with me about the style and mood you want to achieve. Share any specific ideas or poses you would like to incorporate into the session (this will also help me suggest an ideal time frame for you.)
2. Involve Family Members
Consider including family members in the photoshoot to create beautiful memories together. Sibling shots, parent-baby portraits, or even grandparent involvement can add a unique and meaningful touch to the photographs—if you feel up for it, of course! Those can always come later, too.
3. Decide if Studio or In-home is best for you.
A big decision to make is whether you prefer to do your session in your home (a lifestyle session) or in my studio in the Heights. The studio is more popular for many reasons, but sometimes people prefer to do their session in their home. Reach out any time to discuss the difference between a studio session or lifestyle session and which may be best for you.
4. Stay Calm & Patient
Babies can be unpredictable, and it's important to stay calm and patient throughout the photoshoot. There are plenty of snacks and drinks to nourish you and a comfy couch to relax on. I am flexible, so there’s no need to worry if your little one needs to eat or get some snuggles.
Deciding When to Do Newborn Pictures
Remember, the focus of a newborn photoshoot is not just on getting the perfect shot but also on enjoying the experience and cherishing the special moments with your little one. Embrace the joy and love that surrounds your baby, and the photographs will beautifully reflect these emotions. Ultimately, no matter when we do newborn pictures, we can get beautiful photos of your precious little one.
Ready to book your newborn pictures? You can go ahead and get on the books early in your pregnancy, and we can go from there! I’d love to chat with you.
