If you are a new parent or soon-to-be parent, congratulations and welcome to parenthood! I know you're excited to capture every precious moment of your newborn's early days. But you might wonder, "When is the perfect time for those adorable baby's newborn photos?"
Booking a newborn session depends on the style of newborn photos you want. If you like newborn photos sleeping, propped up in baskets, the first 7-10 days are the best for this session.
For a little older babies, you can go for the baby-led approach and wait until the later newborn weeks.
At Sevil Topbas Photography, I strive to capture timeless moments so that you have memories that last forever. We'll discuss how newborn photography may turn out week-wise so you can see which style you like the best!
What To Expect: - Newborn Photography and Newborn Photographers
Two weeks is the most popular time to photograph newborn babies. The newborn baby is still small and sleepy. Most of the time, in these newborn sessions, babies will have their eyes closed and adorably curl up on the chest to snuggle.
Parents are primarily off work at this stage, so working with relaxed schedules is easier. Weeks 1 through 8 are optimal for capturing the essence of teeny-tiny babies. The best part of an in-home lifestyle newborn photo session is that it's scheduled in the comfort of your home.
As a newborn photographer, pre-week 6 is generally better. I've captured some of the best and unique sleeping poses of a newborn baby around five weeks or earlier.
Also, I've seen some 2-week-old babies cry during the newborn photo shoot. It's hard to say what will happen on the day of the shoot. Patience is of the utmost importance for everyone involved.
Proactive Tip: Most families book their lifestyle newborn photography sessions at the beginning of the fourth month to secure a spot. So don't hesitate to reach out.
Week 1-2: My Favorite Age To Photograph Newborns
Most newborn photographers prefer to click photos in the early days of the newborn. When the baby is about 7-11 days old, you, as parents, have some time to settle in the home. Mom is recovering, and the excitement, newness, and adrenaline are still kicking.
You, as parents, are most likely to be tired in the first few weeks as the baby is not sleeping through the night. However, they are still in the womb-like state, which makes it easy to replicate those picture-perfect, closely bundled poses.
Added Bonus: Newborns are less likely to have milia (baby acne) at their point (it arrives after the 3-week mark).
This makes it an ideal time for a newborn photography session. As it allows you to capture the itsy-bitsy, soft-skinned, and ultra-snuggly newborn.
Week 4-6 Weeks: Newborns Can Be Beautifully Photographed
Ideally, 4 to 6 weeks old is a comfortable stage when your newborn can be beautifully photographed.
Life may have gotten in the way at this stage, and you may have to deviate from the plan. You may require some extra time to settle in, or your baby may have had to spend some time in the NICU. You're not too late.
Around this time, babies are the most alert but still so delicately tiny. As a photographer, I recommend this stage next if you missed the two-week mark.
Week 6 – 8: Less Ideal But Yields Beautiful Photos Nonetheless
Ideally, there are better windows than weeks 6-8, especially if you want that newborn look in your baby's photos.
Unless you have an extremely easy-to-handle infant, your active two-month-old will need more of a tailored approach.
Moreover, newborn photos at this age won't have the infant feel .They won't fit into most of our newborn outfits or comfortably into our props.
In such a scenario, I focus on that twinkle in the eye, vibrant eye contact, and myriad sweet (and comical) facial expressions.
Exceptions: Prematures, Twins and Multiplets
Preamatures are born small and may not be able to leave the hospital until further along in their development. Similarly, most twins and multiples are born earlier and are tinier than their singleton counterparts.
In either of these cases, you may have an extended window—like up to the 5-week mark—to enjoy exquisite newborn shots. It's important to note that some babies are susceptible to outside stimuli. This includes touch, lights, sounds, too much movement, or handling by people other than their immediate caregivers.
This means they can only photograph professionally after week 8. Your baby's comfort and safety are the utmost priorities during the session.
If you feel your hands are full with an extra-sensitive one, it's worth rescheduling for later. You can reschedule for when your baby can process and respond to everything a photo session brings.
Things To Consider For Timing To Photograph Babies
While there is no right or wrong time to click baby photos, certain developmental things could impact your baby.
Babies get baby acne around 2-3 weeks when little red bumps surface on their skin; it can be very intense for some babies.
Six weeks old is usually considered a major developmental leap for babies. They are a bit fussier and want to be held all the time in your arms. So it's better to schedule the session early on newborn days or sometime after week 6.
It's A Wrap!
Whether you are having a baby boy or a baby girl , heres your answer to how old should a newborn be for photos. Keeping the weeks and tips in mind, you can schedule newborn baby sessions at the best age. As a newborn photographer, I am patient and flexible with my schedule.
You can reserve a spot on my calendar with your due date, and when the baby is here, I can work up a schedule for whether your baby is five days or five weeks old. Also, I do accommodate babies who are born prematurely.
While you wait for your bundle of joy to arrive, please have a look at my work from those sleepless nights during pregnancy.