Booking Newborn Photos: When is the Ideal Time?
Firstly, huge congratulations on your pregnancy. I bet you can’t wait to have your baby in your arms and soak up every memory, big or small. With so many things to plan for, booking newborn photos can feel overwhelming. When should I find and book a photographer? And how old should my baby be for photos? Hopefully, this blog will help answer both of those questions.
When Should I Be Booking Newborn Photos?
To give you enough time for booking newborn photos, we recommend looking for a photographer during your second trimester. This is typically when you are starting to have more energy and are hopefully past the morning sickness. It will give you enough time to research photographers in your area, what they offer, and to decide what type of photos you are interested in. At-home lifestyle, or posed studio.
When is the ideal time to take baby pictures?
The perfect time to capture your newborn’s special moments will depend on the type of photos you’re looking for. For instance, if you are wanting posed photos of babies sleeping in baskets or wrapped on beanbags, this will require your baby to be in a deep sleep, which is why it’s recommended to take these photos in the first 7-10 days.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more natural approach, you may want to wait a bit longer before taking newborn photos. Waiting until the later newborn weeks actually has its advantages. Below we have listed different ages and what baby photos may look like during those ages. Hopefully, this will help you with booking newborn photos.
2 weeks old
Two-week-old babies are still small, sleepy, and typically look very similar to how they did at birth. Consequently, this period is the most popular time for capturing photos at home. During this time, babies tend to snuggle up on your chest with their eyes closed, and both parents are usually available since they are off work. So, it’s an excellent time to create relaxed, natural photos that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
3-4 week old babies
This is a timeframe we usually try not to schedule photos. Many babies develop baby acne in the third week, and it’s also a growth spurt week when babies tend to be a little clingier, crankier, and need more comfort. If you’ve missed the 2-week window, we recommend waiting until around 5 weeks to schedule your baby’s newborn photos.
5-8 week old babies
We love taking photos of newborns between 5-8 weeks old. This gives you more time to rest and recover from childbirth. At this age, babies tend to be more alert, providing a greater chance of capturing adorable photos of their eyes open. Additionally, any baby acne that appeared around 3-4 weeks has typically cleared, and your baby has filled out to have their irresistible squish baby look. An added bonus is babies may even begin smiling between 6-8 weeks!
Older Babies
Contrary to popular belief, there is no “magic window” of opportunity for newborn photography. With lifestyle photography, any moment is the perfect time for a photoshoot. Older babies are a lot of fun to photograph as they can actively interact, play with toys, sit, and even stand up. This leads to lots of expressions and big smiles. If you haven’t had the chance to take professional photos of your little one, but want to capture some natural moments, let’s connect!
FULL-SERVICE PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS IN THE WOODLANDS, TX, NORTH OF HOUSTON
If you’re in the Houston area and looking for a newborn photoshoot in the comfort of your home, we would love to provide more information. From wardrobe and styling to posing and creating artwork for your home, our full-service photography business takes care of all the details. Please Contact Us to book your newborn session today!
Have a look at our Newborn Portfolio to see more photos from our in-home newborn sessions.
