Whether you are awaiting a child or already have a newborn, you are in a wild season of life.
Every moment feels unforgettable and yet in a year, it will all seem like a blur.
Professional newborn photos can seem impossible to fit into these uncertain days and sleepless nights, but that’s my job. I am here to make it easy for you.
Here’s a promise – your future self and your new child will someday thank you for making this happen.
Is there an ideal age for newborn photos?
My favorite ages for newborn photos are 14 days and 6 weeks. That said, it really depends on the type of newborn photos you are looking for, as well as your unique journey through pregnancy and childbirth. We can make great pictures no matter when you schedule your newborn session.
This article offers clarity & suggestions meant to help you navigate your way to an experience that feels good to you. That’s the main ingredient for meaningful photos!
The First Weeks: Fresh 48 and Posed Newborns
Fresh 48
A category all of its own, “Fresh 48” sessions are completed within 48 hours of birth. These photos are often taken in the hospital, and they require a photographer with unique flexibility to accommodate the fact that birth can happen at any time. These photographs are not meant to be glamorous, they are to document the incredible arrival of a new life.
3–6 days
Most families want the first week to recover and find a bit of rhythm. If you require a C-Section, you may be in the hospital for a longer stay. There is no need to add photography to this highly transitional time.
7–14 days
7 to 14 days is typically suggested for those families wanting posed photos of their sleeping newborns. This is often the period when they are at their tiniest (they usually lose weight after birth). They also sleep deeply and love to be swaddled – perfect for posed newborn photos.
Considerations for the First Two Weeks
This earliest phase of life is a bit messy, no surprise! Here are the challenges that you’ll work together with your photographer to manage. And if you’d rather avoid them, schedule at 14 days instead!
- Babies are often born a bit jaundiced, creating orange skin tones.
- Some babies (especially those born before 38 weeks) have a layer of hair called lanugo.
- Vaginal births often result in a temporary “cone head” that makes newborns look a little bit like aliens.
The First Month: Perfect For Lifestyle Newborn
Newborn photos at 14 days (recommended)
If you are looking for lifestyle or documentary newborn photos, but still like the idea of capturing that “brand new” baby feeling, I suggest scheduling your newborn session as close as possible to 14 days after birth. Sessions at this age usually include some time asleep, some time awake, and benefit from the bit of routine and rhythm established within the first couple of weeks.
2–5 weeks
I often get asked – “Is 3 weeks too old for newborn photos?”
Absolutely not! There are plenty of reasons that newborn photos within the first 2 weeks simply may not work for your family, so don’t stress if you need to wait until 3 weeks. And if you like the idea of a more alert and interactive baby, I suggest waiting until 6 weeks anyway.
While I successfully photograph plenty of babies in this age range, I only suggest it when it is obviously the best choice for your family. At this point, infants are transitioning out of their super-tiny phase, but they are still yet to gain enough eyesight or expressivity to feel interactive. Lots of newborns also struggle with baby acne, which is most likely between 2 and 5 weeks of age.
Newborn photo at 3 Weeks
Newborn photo at 4 Weeks
5–8 Weeks: Capture Their Little Personality
I specialize in lifestyle and documentary newborn photography, and I absolutely love this age. I often suggest 6 weeks as a target date for my clients.
Babies become more alert and interactive, and they have typically filled out, giving them that squishy newborn feel.
A great time for family newborn photos
The older your baby, the easier it becomes to include the whole family. While grandparents are usually great with newborns, siblings can be hard to incorporate with the tiniest of babies. Depending on the age of your other kids, we can sometimes safely get sibling photos by 6 weeks of age.
More smiles and Interaction
By 5 weeks, parents will recognize a personality in their newborns. They begin smiling and interacting, and it is really fun to document that exciting development on camera.
If you love the idea of capturing a few newborn smiles, wait until a bit closer to 8 weeks. Here’s a great article about when babies first smile.
Are you the one who always takes the pictures?
You deserve to be in photos with your family
After 2 Months: Not a Newborn Any More!
The newborn phase ends at 8 weeks
The technicalities don’t matter, but the newborn to baby transition is typically considered the 8 week mark. But don’t worry, nothing magical happens on their 8 week birthday, and I LOVE sessions with babies at pretty much every age. As I am writing this article our daughter is hitting 9 months. It feels like every week we are proclaiming a new “favorite age.”
Outdoor family pictures with the baby
With more head control and better eyesight, outdoor sessions with your baby become a lot more fun after 8 weeks. They are building a relationship with their environment, and that is a story I love to tell. By this age they are usually comfortable in a front-pack carrier or a stroller, allowing us to make the most of outdoor locations.
Sibling interactions
Only you will know when it is safe for your older children to be alone with your newborn. But one thing is always true – as your baby gets older, they can inevitably spend more time alone with their siblings.
If you are struggling with the desire to have newborn photos as well as photos with all your children interacting, try to find a photographer that offers a package with multiple sessions included. My First Year of Life Package includes three sessions (typically newborn, 6 months, and 1 year).
When do they get teeth?
I never knew how much I would miss that toothless grin. Their smile changes completely as soon as teeth come in, so it is worth considering how important it is to you to capture those “gummy” grins. My daughter was slow to get teeth (8 months) but plenty of babies get them much sooner. Here’s a quick read about when they get teeth.
There Are Always Surprises
Premature babies
Whether planned or unexpected, having a premature baby is stressful. I suggest keeping photo sessions scheduled in relation to their due date instead of their birth date, allowing extra time for hospital stays and more recovery time at home.
Twins
Twins are so exciting! Yet I can’t even imagine making childbirth any more taxing than it already is. Cheers to you for getting through this :). Twins tend to be born earlier than average (twins typical due date), but you also may want a little extra time to recover. There is no right answer, just stay in close touch with your photographer!
Fussy babies
Everyone who schedules a newborn photo session worries that their baby will be fussy the whole time. Remember that newborn moods come and go quickly and that most photographers allow plenty of time to accommodate a break, a feeding, or even a short nap. As you approach your session date, don’t hesitate to reach out to your photographer and adjust the session start time to maximize the good moods.
Scheduled C-sections and inductions
If you are scheduled for a C-Section or an induction, scheduling becomes a bit easier! Inductions often take 24-48 hours, so add one or two days to your induction date to estimate the day of birth. And while C-sections are quicker, they require a longer stay in the hospital.
These procedures are commonly scheduled a week or two before your due date, but babies are usually considered full term by this point, meaning you can use their birth date instead of the due date when scheduling your session.
General Considerations
Lifestyle or posed?
Are you looking for traditional newborn photos? Think sleeping babies, highly posed, lots of props and swaddling. 7 to 10 days is typical for this style.
Or do you want a natural look? This is typically referred to as “lifestyle” or “documentary” photography and is meant to tell a more authentic story of your family. I typically suggest 14 days or 6 weeks, but these types of newborn photos can be taken at any age.
Indoors or outdoors?
Up until 8 weeks, I suggest newborn photos at home. This is where your baby is most comfortable, and it tells a true story – we spend a lot of time at home with our new babies.
This is more a guideline than a rule (I have photographed tiny newborns outdoors and had a great experience), but most parents looking for outdoor newborn photos will want to schedule around 8 weeks of age.
Siblings & Extended Family
Are you looking for a newborn family session that includes siblings or extended family? Every scenario is different, so tell you photographer right away so that they can help you craft a great experience!
Your unique journey
Every mother and every family walks a unique path through this beautiful season. Rest assured, we can make great pictures no matter when you schedule your newborn session.
This article offers clarity & suggestions meant to help you navigate your way to an experience that feels good to you. That’s the main ingredient for meaningful photos!
Do you want to be photographed right after giving birth?
If you or your partner are hoping to be included in the photographs, consider whether you will be comfortable being photographed within two weeks of giving birth. I am a huge advocate of body positivity, but I also know that such rapid body transitions can be disconcerting. It is ok to want to wait a few weeks or months before stepping in front of a camera.
Tips for Scheduling a Newborn Photographer
What is the best time of day for newborn photos?
Your baby’s age is the first consideration, but the time of day is also important. From a photography perspective, I prefer scheduling in-home sessions during the middle of the day when there is plenty of light.
For outdoor sessions, the first two hours after sunrise or before sunset are ideal. Obviously, your newborn may have other ideas!
My suggestion is to consider whether your family does best in the morning or the afternoon and to create a loose schedule around that. For most families, this is the morning. The dreaded “witching hour” is usually in the late afternoon and is best avoided.
Make sure your photographer is flexible
Did you know that only 5% of babies are born on their due dates? It is important that your photographer is experienced with newborns and understands this reality. Simply ask how they handle early births or other surprises. There is no way to prepare for every possible circumstance; they simply have to be flexible!
Schedule newborn photos when you schedule maternity photos
Pregnancy and childbirth are all-consuming. Make life easy and schedule your maternity and newborn photo sessions at the same time. Sure, things may change as you get closer to your due date, but I recommend getting a date on the calendar and updating it as needed.
Lots of photographers offer packages that include both maternity and newborn photography. My personal favorite is my Four Seasons Package, which takes you from pregnancy through your baby’s first birthday!
Update your photographer Regularly
When things change (and they will), just let your photographer know. The sooner they can reschedule, the more flexible they can be. This is not a time to feel guilty about rescheduling – any professional newborn photographer considers this a necessary part of their profession.
I’m David, and I photograph Bay Area families that are super proud of where they live. My easygoing presence puts everyone at ease, and I focus on candid emotion and moments of connection. No posing, no stress.
What detailed and helpful information!
I’m glad this was helpful for you!