Are you wondering when to schedule newborn photos? I bet you have no idea how long that ‘newborn’ stage lasts exactly?! Some newborn photographers will put a two week or 15 days age limit on newborn photo sessions. While we strongly suggest holding your newborn shoot at the 5-10 day mark, I say there’s no reason why you can’t have a baby’s newborn photoshoot up to around three or four weeks old. It’s never too late! Plus, life gets in the way. You may have had a bit of a stay in the hospital after birth, and having a new baby at home is exhausting. Scheduling a session with a photographer may not sound enticing right away.
Fear not! Read on for my tips on the best age to have a newborn shoot. Plus how to book one when you have no idea what date the baby will arrive. (Because isn’t that exactly how it goes? haha) Let me put your mind at rest at how easy it is to have beautiful new family memories captured that will last a lifetime. Most parents really enjoy the experience, and it’s much more relaxing and stress-free than you might think!
You should try to schedule newborn photos typically around two weeks after your due date. The most ideal time is between 5-10 days old. Babies at this age tend to be pretty chilled, curled up and sleepy, making posing easier!
This age is great for capturing all those gorgeous curled-up sleeping shots, snuggles with parents, photos of baby feeding (if you want them) and close up shots of baby’s eyelashes, lips, and feet. This is also a great time to capture some beautiful photos of the baby with their siblings. The baby may not be actively smiling yet, but at even the earliest newborn photoshoots we can capture a few adorable grins.
According to data, only 5% of newborns arrive on their actual due date. Around a third of the rest arrive early, and about two-thirds arrive past the date. So it’s a pretty safe bet, with a first baby at least, that your little one won’t be in any huge rush to come out on time! So two weeks after your due date tends to work pretty well as a tentative date for your booking. If the timing is just a little off, no worries. Most newborn photographers are happy to work with you to schedule a better time. We completely understand that the baby comes when they are ready and it’s not always easy to predict.
If you’re looking for those adorable curled up in a basket/hammock/bucket or posed like a frog photo for your newborn photos, the ideal age is more like 5-10 days and rarely older. This style of newborn photography tends to be more about posed shots of the baby. These poses can only be achieved before the baby’s tiny bones fuse together and they’re still really curled up and ‘malleable’!
Babies older than two weeks are not quite so curled up and weeny any more! They also start to lose some of that gorgeous wrinkly skin and downy hair. Around 2-3 weeks old baby acne can begin to appear and cradle cap is common from 1-2 months old. Some parents don’t mind these small blemishes, however. Baby is still perfect in every way. Because of this many parents and photographers think this is not when to schedule newborn photos.
Every baby is unique and it is more than possible for a GOOD newborn photographer to get amazing shots of your new baby at 3-4 weeks old. No matter when you get around to it, a photo session with your new baby is always a great idea! But if you can it’s best to get a few shots of your little one captured because they grow quickly. The newborn stage passes by in the blink of an eye.
Slightly older babies are likely to be more alert and aware of their surroundings. So photo sessions with older babies can result in more ‘eyes open’ shots than sleepy ones. Who doesn’t love a bright-eyed, curious baby? You’re also more likely to capture those sweet little grins.
Having a c-section birth can be both a positive and a negative. On the plus side, you may know exactly when you’re scheduled making it easier to plan for a newborn photos. On the other hand, if you weren’t prepared you may have feelings of deflation. Or, you may be worried that your photographer asks you to move around when you’re not ready to or to hold the newborn in a position that’s not comfortable for you. Our photo sessions, however, are flexible. We understand that the baby’s comfort comes first with mom and dad being a close second. We can capture memorable shots of you with your baby in whatever position is comfortable for you, whether sitting, propped up on pillows or standing.
Most parents are happy for me to move the baby around for photos myself, meaning that for shots of the baby on their own you can just sit back with a cup of tea and watch the magic happen! 😉 We work in pairs so the shooter is always free to position the camera while our assistant is there to be helpful with the newborn.
If you feel you’d like to wait a bit after having a c-section, by all means, wait. Once again your comfort is most important.
So, when to schedule newborn photos then? When possible I recommend scheduling a session before the baby is two weeks old, to capture him o/her in all their wrinkly and scrunched-up newness. I’d also recommend scheduling sessions throughout that first year about once a quarter (3, 6, 9, and 12 months old) to capture the growth and change in your child.
In fact, we’ll work with you to create a custom FIRST YEAR Package that will allow you to schedule those photo sessions in advance with a discount in price.
When you choose to book your newborn photos, it’s really important to me to capture photos of the parent(s) with the baby, along with any siblings or pets where possible! You may not feel particularly photogenic just weeks after giving birth, but believe me, it would be such a shame to miss out on capturing those all-important shots of you with your baby that your little one will just love to look back on in years to come. Our team will work carefully to make sure you look your best in those photos no matter how tired or off you feel.
At Willow & Roots Studios, we understand the importance of capturing the essence of your family’s unique story. Our team is dedicated to creating timeless images that reflect the love, laughter, and bonds that make your family special. Whether you’re looking to document a milestone such as a high school or college graduation, celebrate a new addition to the family, or simply freeze a moment in time, we are here to turn your vision into stunning photographic memories.
If you’re planning a Family Milestone celebration (like a baby shower) you may also want to visit our partners in Family Celebrations. EWS offers Family Friendly DJ Service, while our friends at CatErie will keep everyone full and happy with tasty morsels.