As your family gets bigger and your lives begin to change, you probably want to do everything you can to capture all of these precious moments. A great way to do that is with photos of you and your new little one. But, you may be wondering when is the best time to take newborn photos.
After all, there is a lot going on in your lives and you are adjusting to new routines, so how does a newborn photoshoot fit into this?
As a family portrait photographer, my best advice for choosing when to have your newborn session is to do it when you and your family feel ready—and that looks different for every family.
Let’s dive into when you should plan to take your newborn photos and where you can have your session.
When to Take Newborn Photos
The most common answer you’ll see to the question of when to take newborn photos is within the first two weeks of your baby’s life. However, every family is going to look different and those first two weeks may or may not be the best time for you.
The goal of this session is for it to be fun and capture your family as they are, but you also want to make sure you aren’t rushing into anything before you are ready. If you need to take more time to acclimate to being back home and just bond with your little one, that is totally okay!
Here are a few different timeframes that you think about when it comes to photos with your baby and what each of them may look like.
When your baby is 0-14 days old
At this stage, your baby will be sleeping a lot, so if you want sweet, sleepy baby images, this is probably the best time to take your photos. Your baby will still have that little newborn scrunch and may be less likely to move around.
This is also when they are going to be at their tiniest, so if you really want to capture those first moments in the world for them, this is when you’ll want to do it.
When your baby is 2-4 weeks old
If you plan your session when your baby is 2-4 weeks old you’ll likely get a mix of your baby both sleeping and awake. Your little one will have had some time to adjust to being in this world and you’ll have had a bit of time to bond.
Waiting a few weeks to do the session can also allow you some time to adjust to what your new family looks like. You’ll have been able to (hopefully) get into some sort of routine and may feel a bit more comfortable welcoming someone into your space or bringing your little one out into the world.
One thing to note is that baby acne is super common around the two week mark. It normally fades within a few weeks. Of course, we can do some smoothing in editing, but it may be worth waiting if the acne is severe.
There’s also going to be a lot happening in these first few weeks. Waiting a little bit to take newborn photos may also mean more of your little one’s personality shines through. So, you may get some really cute and expressive moments that perfectly capture your family.
When your baby is between 6 weeks and 3 months
If you want your baby to be a bit more awake and expressive for the session, waiting for a month or two can be a great option. A session at 7 days old and one at 3 months old will look a bit different, but both of them are going to be special in their own way.
Waiting until they are just a little bit older may help you feel more comfortable with the session and having other people around. Babies normally start smiling around six weeks, so they will likely be more expressive.
Where to Take Your Newborn Photos
The two main options for newborn photos are to take them at your home or a studio. If you plan to do a home session you can take photos in your baby’s nursery, the living room, your bedroom, etc. A session in your home will be more lifestyle-focused, meaning that all of the moments that happen during your session will be captured naturally.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. What if your house is a mess because you have a newborn? Honestly, that makes it all the better. These photos are meant to capture the beauty and the chaos of your family right now. And there’s always the option to clear a few areas like the nursery and a couch. That’s less overwhelming than getting the whole house spotless, but gives you options for clutter free photos.
If your house doesn’t look like it came straight out of a magazine, that is okay. Because your life isn’t straight out of a magazine and you want to remember it how it actually was.
You can also choose to take your newborn photos at a studio if doing an in-home session feels a bit too overwhelming. This will mean that your session may be a bit less organic than a lifestyle session you’d have at your house. A studio has the advantage of good lighting and often will come with useful props and a clean backdrop.
Regardless of the location, your photographer can help make sure everything is set up and the environment is calm and peaceful so you and your little one can relax and have a fun time together.
Tips for Newborn Photos
Find your photographer before giving birth
There are going to be a lot of things going on when it comes to welcoming your little one into the world, so I would highly recommend finding your photographer before you give birth.
This will allow you to set up an approximate time for the session (because we all know babies are going to work on their own schedule) and be one less thing you have to worry about in the chaos of being a new parent.
Think about where you want the session to take place in your house
While you don’t have to have anything set in stone, think about where around your house you’d want to have your session. A few common places that you could choose from are the nursery, your bed, a couch, or even outside.
You can also chat with your photographer about where to find the best lighting in your house and plan on moving around a bit during the session!
Plan for at least 2 hours
These sessions are a bit different than normal family or couple’s sessions as we tend to take some keys from your baby on what we do and when we do it. So, don’t feel like everything has to be rushed or fit into a perfectly set out timeline.
I don’t personally set a time limit for these sessions, and I find that it helps everyone stay relaxed and gives us the flexibility to do whatever needs to be done in the moment. You can also expect plenty of breaks for feeding, soothing, changing, and anything else your baby throws your way!
Cureton Newborn Photos
I had the chance to capture Chase and Amanda’s growing family in their home and it was such a joy to be able to capture these moments for them. Fun fact: I’ve taken photos of Chase and Amanda through so many different life milestones – when they were dating, when Chase proposed to Amanda, their engagement photos, their wedding, and now this next chapter in their lives: becoming parents.
This session was really special, and I’m grateful I got to be a part of these significant moments in their story. Watching families grow up is the most special part of my job, and I am always honored when families invite me to celebrate with them.
During their session, we took photos of the whole family in their nursery, with their adorable dog, in their living room, and also some outdoor photos. I also made sure to capture some of their nursery details, such as the crib, onesies, toys, books, and more, to give them even more to look back on years down the road.
Chase and Amanda booked a lifestyle newborn session, which looks very different from posed newborn photography. If you’re curious to learn more about lifestyle sessions, make sure to check out the blog I wrote on Lifestyle Newborn Photography here!
Ready to Book Your Newborn Photos?
I hope you found this guide on knowing when to take newborn photos and where you can plan to have your newborn session helpful.
A newborn session is meant to be your chance to sit back, relax, and enjoy these precious moments with your family. Time will pass by so quickly and you’ll be shocked at how fast your newborn grows and changes. Your newborn session photos are your chance to document these moments and all those little details that you never want to forget.
If you’re in the Chicago suburbs and want to book a lifestyle newborn session, I’d love to chat. You can click here to learn more about my family photography services, or you can head over here to get in touch with me!
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