When parents ask what the best time is for a newborn photoshoot, they’re often told that the golden window is the first two weeks after the baby is born. Some websites even go further, saying that newborn sessions should take place within the first 10 days. This is because that’s when babies are still very sleepy and settled, which makes it easier to wrap and pose them.
The truth is, the best time for newborn photos depends on what style of photos you’re after, and it’s better to look at the positives of a photoshoot at each age, so that you can decide what’s best suited to your family.
I’m a lifestyle newborn photographer based in Nantwich in Cheshire. My style of photography allows for flexibility in terms of baby’s age, as the focus is less on posing and more on your bonds as a new family. I take a mixture of newborn portraits and family photos, meaning that if baby is awake for a chunk of the session, we can still get beautifully varied gallery.
In this blog I’ll answer the most frequently asked questions around the best age to have a newborn shoot:
How far in advance should I book a newborn photoshoot?
What is the best age for newborn photos?
Is 4 weeks too old for newborn pictures?
What is the best time of day for newborn photos?
How long does a newborn session take?
How far in advance should I book a newborn photoshoot?
If you’ve found your ideal photographer (one who matches the style you would like for your newborn shoot - there are so many different approaches out there!), then it’s best to book them as far in advance as possible to secure availability. Slots can book up months in advance, so leaving it until the last minute could mean that the photographer you want isn’t available when your baby is newborn. After your 20-week scan is the best time to book. Obviously none of us know exactly when our baby will be born, so if you book your session with me, we’ll pencil in a date and stay in touch in case anything needs to change nearer the time.
What is the best age for newborn photos?
The best age for newborn photos really depends on what sort of style you’re most drawn to. If you are wanting traditional posed newborn photos, the first couple of weeks are ideal, as most babies still sleep for prolonged periods, and love to be curled up in the foetal position, making posing them easier. However, the joy of lifestyle newborn photography is that the sessions are baby-led and only very gently posed, so this age window is much more relaxed.
I’ve done newborn sessions with 1-week olds, 5-week olds, and 9-week olds… and all of them show parents doting on their new baby in their love bubble at home. My sessions are less about posing your baby in a particular way, and more about the connection between you, so age is just a number, as they say!
Is 4 weeks too old for newborn pictures?
4 weeks is not too old for newborn photos, your baby is still tiny and adorable and those precious, blurry, sleep-deprived days deserve to be captured. Depending on their age and mood, I’ll take photos of them sleepily snuggled on blankets, and if they’re wide awake and wanting to interact, then I'll capture them lovingly cradled in your arms, lying on their changing mat cooing, or enjoying nose kisses with you on the bed. I love to capture their gorgeous innocent eyes and little emerging personalities when they’re awake.
My sessions are tailored to your family, and it’s never too late to capture your gorgeous new addition. Some families who have booked me have specifically chosen to book their session when their baby was more awake and interactive.
What is the best time of day for newborn photos?
I always recommend starting at 10am. As a natural light photographer, this is the ideal time, when there is enough light pouring in through the windows, but before the sun is at its highest point in the sky. Newborns also tend to be more settled in the mornings, whereas later in the day they may become overstimulated or tired.
Every session and family is different though, so we can discuss timings to suit your family’s routine.
How long does a newborn session take?
Most of my newborn sessions take up to 90 minutes. This includes breaks to feed and settle your baby, to move to different rooms in the house, and time to chat and get to know each other. Nothing is rushed, and I don’t plan back-to-back sessions, so I never need to leave a photoshoot in a hurry.
I’m a big believer in capturing families in an honest, natural way that truly reflects who you are and the relationships that you share. So whether your baby is 6 days old or 6 weeks old, there is a whole lotta love there to be photographed.
If you’d like to book a newborn photoshoot in the Cheshire, Shropshire, Manchester, or wider north west area, fill in my enquiry form and let’s chat.