When to Take Newborn Photos

This new season of life is inherently full of nostalgia. As you eagerly await the arrival of your little one, you may wonder when to take newborn photos. The excitement surrounding welcoming your newborn home leaves you feeling you’ll want to remember this moment in your life forever. 

After all, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to capture just how tiny their fingers and toes are and the special bonds being formed. Continue reading to discover the ideal window of the perfect time to schedule your newborn’s first portraits.

This new season of life is inherently full of nostalgia.

Consider the style of newborn photography you prefer. 

I specialize in lifestyle newborn photography. My approach is “baby-led” where we take a slow, relaxed pace in the comfort of your home or studio setting. Your newborn photoshoot is full of loving snuggles and includes added patience for breaks to feed, change, or need a moment to resettle. Learn more about lifestyle newborn photography.

As a lifestyle newborn photographer, I generally recommend scheduling your session for when your baby is 7-21 days of age.   

I love photographing the sweet, endearing moments captured in the sleepiest of days of the first 3 weeks. But, there is no hard rule of when to take newborn photos. I always recommend you schedule at your own pace. Remember to factor in recovery time and adjustment for yourself, too. If you have a c-section, moving around may be challenging, especially if you live in a two-story home. If you’re not feeling your best, for any reason, you may want to schedule your session out further. That said, it’s best to be flexible about when to take newborn photos.

 

A few reasons why I find around 2-3 weeks after birth to be the most optimal time

 

YOU’RE fresh into EMBRACING THE NEWNESS & ADJUSTING TO YOUR NEW LIFE.

You’ve entered what I like to call “the baby bubble.” Nothing else in the world matters except this time you’re spending together. You, your baby, and your partner are finding your rhythm in the newness of it all. Amidst the chaos and exhaustion, there’s an immense amount of love to be captured creating timeless photographs. 

Time to recover and be pampered.

With my signature portrait experience, you’ll feel taken care of, too. Not only are we documenting your little ones, but we’re also documenting your motherhood. Every mother I’ve had the pleasure of photographing said it felt refreshing to wear a pretty gown and have professional hair & makeup to help them feel beautiful and seen while navigating the 4th trimester.

 

 

You’ll be more attuned to your baby’s feeding schedule

At 2-3 weeks, you’ve likely become accustomed to your baby’s feeding cues.  Knowing how to soothe your little one can help make the session flow more easily…putting you at ease. 

 

Baby is still quite sleepy allowing for extra snuggles and solo detail-photographs.

While there’s no pressure to have a perfectly sleeping baby during your lifestyle newborn photo session, at 2-3 weeks baby easily drifts in and out of sleep. If baby is awake for the majority of the session, you’ll have emotive photos with piercing eye contact. At every newborn photo session, I always aim to document the tiniest of details of your newborn’s solo portraits. Whether baby is snuggled in your arms wide awake or fast asleep, we still manage to capture the sweetest of moments of your little one.

 

The tiniest details are worth remembering for a lifetime.

 

But what if my baby is more than two weeks of age?

Is 3 or 6 weeks too old for newborn photos?

Technically, your baby is a newborn up until 3 months of age. With lifestyle newborn photography, we focus more on the unique qualities you share as a family. While not a deal-breaker, keep in mind towards the end of the first 3 weeks, babies begin to be more alert and their delicate skin is prone to baby acne. 

Welcoming your baby home will always be treasured no matter when you take newborn photos. 

 

When To Book Newborn Photos

I advise reaching out as early as the start of your 2nd trimester. This allows plenty of time for planning, ensuring availability. And, it’s one extra item checked off of your to-do list early. Babies arrive on their own time, which can be either unexpected or overly awaited. You won’t want to leave to chance last-minute scrambling to find a newborn photographer you love.

 

You’ll thank yourself later for getting this one thing checked off of your to-do list early.

 

You deserve to have your dream newborn photoshoot

Jasmyn Sambac Photography, located in the Phoenix & Scottsdale Metro, specializes in motherhood portraits helping you be present, and provides a full portrait experience offering guidance from what to wear to how to design your photographs for your home. Start planning your dream newborn photoshoot with Jasmyn by visiting https://jasmynsambac.com to get in touch.

I love sharing work from fellow Motherhood photographers as inspiration. Today, I’m sharing Miriam’s maternity photography in Kew Gardens, London. Her work makes me want to move to Europe in a heartbeat! Go check it out!

Browse more resources:

• Lactation Consultant Services in Phoenix AZ
• Scottsdale Maternity Photographer: Jasmyn Sambac Photography
• An Ethereal Chiffon Maternity Photoshoot