The one thing that isn’t talked about in any parenting book is the best age for newborn photos. And while there is no “perfect, magic time” I have photographed over 250 newborns and learned a few things along the way.

How old should my baby be when we do his/her newborn photos?

Again, while there is no absolute rule or magic time for this, we typically schedule newborn sessions between 7-14 days old. There are a few reasons for this:

• Baby is sleepier and tends to be bendier.
• Skin issues haven’t set in yet (but if they have, it’s OKAY!).
• Gives Mom a little time to heal and bond.
• Gives siblings and the family unit as a whole a little time to settle in a new rhythm.
• Milk has come in and if breastfeeding, it’s more established.

If you are beyond this window, I promise it’s okay. I have photographed newborn sessions from 4 days – 6+ weeks. This past year has pushed many newborn photographers, myself included, to photograph “older newborns.” Each of those sessions has been just as special.

Preemies, difficult deliveries, ongoing medical concerns, and surprise adoption placements are all reasons that may lead to a later session. 

What if I have a c-section, a NICU stay, or a medically fragile baby?

If you have a c-section and/or your baby has a NICU stay or ongoing medical concerns, it’s all the more reason to be able to have the utmost confidence in your newborn photographer. Our team will be in communication with you to determine the best time to schedule your session once you and/or your baby are released from the hospital. We will also be prepared for any modifications that need to be made during your session.

The last thing we want you to do is to worry about missing a window that’s believed to be “the best age for newborn photos”. Rest assured that whether your baby is 5 days old, 5 weeks old (or older) it’s the connection and fact that you’re making sure your baby will have these memories forever that’s most important!

When do I need to schedule our newborn session?

We recommend booking your newborn session well before baby even arrives. Trust me, once your little one is here, you’re going to want to soak in every moment. That is not the time to spend researching a photographer. Researching a photographer at that time is likely to feel overwhelming and possibly not happen at all. It’ll feel good to check this off your to-do list before baby comes. And not only that, but you can also have confidence in the photographer you’ve chosen and possibly have had a chance to do a maternity session.

This way, the only thing you have to do is send us a quick message that your little one has arrived. Then we will get you scheduled and take care of the rest!