When to Schedule Newborn Photos: A Guide for New Parents

newborns

Welcoming a new baby into your life is one of the most precious moments you’ll ever experience. As a photographer specializing in newborn photography, I understand how important it is to capture those tiny newborn details before they pass. One of the most common questions I receive from new parents is, “When is the best time to schedule newborn photos?” I’ll guide you through the ideal timeframe for newborn photography, explain why timing matters, and offer tips on how to prepare for your session. Another frequently asked question is When is the best time to schedule maternity photos? You can find information on the perfect time for maternity session HERE.

The Best Time for Newborn Photos: The First Two Weeks

The ideal time to schedule newborn photos is within the first 5 to 14 days of your baby’s life. During this period, your baby is still in that sleepy, curled-up phase, making it easier to capture those adorable poses that showcase their tiny features. Here’s why this window is perfect:

  1. Sleepy and Flexible: Newborns sleep most of the time during their first two weeks, which allows us to gently pose them in those sweet, curled-up positions. Their flexibility makes it easier to capture the iconic newborn photos that parents love.
  2. Natural Newborn Poses: During this period, babies naturally curl up like they were in the womb, which is perfect for those classic newborn shots. As they grow, they start stretching out more, and it becomes challenging to achieve the same poses.
  3. Minimal Baby Acne: Newborns tend to develop baby acne around the 2 to 3-week mark. While this is completely normal and can be edited out, capturing photos before it appears ensures a smoother complexion in the images.
  4. Capturing the Newborn Essence: The first two weeks are a time of pure, newness. Your baby is still getting used to the world, and there’s something incredibly special about capturing these earliest moments when they are just a few days old.

What If You Miss the Two-Week Window?

Life with a newborn can be overwhelming, and sometimes, parents miss the two-week window. Don’t worry; all is not lost! While the first two weeks are ideal, beautiful newborn photos can still be taken up to six weeks old, albeit with a few adjustments:

  1. Awake Moments: As babies grow, they tend to be more alert and awake during sessions. This can actually be a great opportunity to capture some expressive and interactive photos with their eyes open.
  2. Gentle Poses: After two weeks, your baby may not be as flexible, but we can still create stunning images by focusing on more natural and relaxed poses. We can also include more lifestyle shots with parents, which highlight the bond between you and your baby.
  3. Family Focus: If you’ve missed the early window, consider focusing the session more on family interaction. Cuddling, feeding, and playing with your newborn can create intimate and timeless photos that capture your growing family’s love.

Tips for Scheduling Your Newborn Session

  1. Book Early: It’s best to book your newborn session during your pregnancy, ideally around your second trimester. This ensures that you’ll secure a spot in those precious first two weeks after birth.
  2. Be Flexible: Babies arrive on their own schedule, so I always keep my schedule flexible around your due date. Once your baby is born, we can finalize the exact date and time for your session.
  3. Preparation Is Key: Before your session, I’ll provide you with tips on how to prepare, including feeding and sleep recommendations, so your baby is as comfortable and peaceful as possible during the shoot.
  4. Relax and Enjoy: Your newborn session should be a joyful experience. I’ll guide you through each step, ensuring both you and your baby are comfortable and that we capture the most precious memories.

SCHEDULING A NEWBORN SESSION WITH JENNIFER MAE PHOTOGRAPHY

With 9 years of experience with newborn photography – I create a baby lead session, ensuring every little detail of your tiny newborn is remembered. The studio is full of beautiful natural light and stocked with everything needed for your newborn session. Since the actual arrival of your baby is typically unpredictable, your due date is penciled in on my calendar and space is reserved for around the time of your due date. Once your baby has arrived, we will then schedule a date & time for the session. You can learn more about newborn sessions with Jennifer Mae Photography at the newborn detail page.

If you’re expecting and interested in booking a newborn session you can reach me HERE.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What do I need to bring to a newborn photoshoot?

For a newborn session with Jennifer Mae Photography, pretty much everything needed for your session is available in the studio. I have a short list of things to bring I give parents before their session: diapers/wipes, if baby is bottle fed – bottles and formula, your wedding bands, and a pacifier is baby is taking one.

WHAT can i do to help baby sleep during the session?

Do your best to keep your baby awake for about one hour leading up to our session time. If you are having trouble keeping them awake, one trick is to give them a bath. In fact, since newborns produce a lot of oils on their scalp, I suggest washing their hair prior anyway to have their hair not look oily. If baby has a nice awake period prior to their session, they are much more likely to give a longer and deeper time in the studio.

Having a sleep, full belly baby is very important to get a relaxed and fulfilled newborn session. 
Upon booking, I provide a guide with tips and suggestions to help ensure just that.