When to Take Newborn Photos

A question I am often asked is “When to take newborn photos?” For many reasons, this is such a great question!  With the excitement of your new little one arriving, it is easy to lose sight of time and you don’t want to miss the opportunity to capture your newborn while they’re still little. You know they grow so quickly unless you’re a first-time mom, then you’re about to learn just how true that statement is(and why you keep hearing it!). So, when should you take your lifestyle newborn session? Continue reading below to find out when and why!

Ideally, the best time for you to have your lifestyle newborn session is when your baby is between 7 and 14 days of age.

I personally believe closer to the 2-week mark to be the sweet spot. This is when your baby is just here long enough to start adjusting to a new life outside of the womb, but also still young enough to sleep the majority of the day. Around 2 weeks of age is when your baby can start to make eye contact and can respond to the sound of your voice. As a lifestyle newborn photographer, I love photos where baby is connecting with the camera just as much as I love the snuggly photos in mom or dad’s arms.

Secondly, 7 to 14 days works perfectly in that you and your baby have had a little bit of time to recover. The birthing journey is hard, stressful, and tiring! If you had a c-section, moving around may be challenging, especially if you live in a two-story home. Even if you didn’t have a c-section, your body still went through a lot. Post-partum is tolling mentally and physically no matter how your baby entered the world. My main concern is always making sure you are comfortable and reassure you that you are doing amazing!

Lastly, waiting a week or two after birth gives you a chance to get to know your newborn and become accustomed to their cues. By this time, you may have become more familiar with what it takes to soothe your baby. While there’s no pressure to have a perfectly sleeping baby during your session, knowing how your baby likes to be comforted will make the session less stressful. My approach to lifestyle newborn photography is “baby-led.” I am always patient and accommodate each session for breaks needed to feed, change, or just take a moment to resettle.

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

Of course, life happens and things don’t always go as planned. Some babies require a bit of extra care in the hospital and come home later than hoped. No worries! The celebration of you welcoming your baby home will be treasured no matter your baby’s age. The beauty of a lifestyle newborn session is the importance of documenting real-life moments as they tell your story.

When do I start planning to book my newborn session?

I advise reaching out around as soon as the start of your 2nd trimester of pregnancy. I only take a limited number of due dates per month, partially for the reason mentioned above. Babies hardly ever come right on (our)time! Trust me, you don’t want to scramble last minute looking for your dream photo session. You will have many other things on your mind closer to your due date or be too exhausted to think after your baby has arrived. Please, don’t gamble missing out on documenting your most cherished memories or settling for less. You deserve to have beautiful photographs of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

To start planning your newborn photoshoot, visit my website https://jasmynsambac.com to learn more details and get in contact with me.

Jasmyn is a portrait photographer based in Chandler, AZ. Through Jasmyn Sambac Photography, she specializes in capturing genuine connections while helping moms be present in their family photos, highlighting motherhood through every stage. Jasmyn Sambac Photography provides maternity, newborn, first-year milestones, and family photography to the entire Phoenix valley including Scottsdale, Gilbert, Mesa, and beyond.