When To Do Newborn Pictures
I often get asked what timeframe is best for newborn photography. And while there are differences to each, there is no right or wrong answer. The answer is what is best for you and your family. 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 (1-4 weeks)
If you poke around the internet for newborn photography, the images you most commonly see are often done with very young newborns. The first month is a 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, this age can be tricky since mom and baby are often still trying to figure out their new normal. Some babies at this age can get be very gassy or there may be some feeding issues that are still getting figured out. Some babies are a little more sensitive at this age and don’t like being moved and posed. Some are also bigger and stronger at birth and don’t hold poses as well. The list can go on for any number of things that may make posing and sleep challenging. So, while those first few weeks are often better bet for posing and sleeping, they are human just like us and can have bad days or simply vary from one another—their personalities are already forming!
If you would like the best chance at getting sleepy and posed pictures, then we can aim for doing them in the first month. Take a look at some pictures of early newborns to get an idea of what you can expect.
Older Newborns (4-12 weeks)
For many families, the first month isn’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 sleepy shots may not happen. 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 week. 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. Here are some example pictures of older newborns.
The list goes on for the benefits of older newborn sessions with more information here if you would like to learn more.
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.
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.
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.
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.
