Deciding when to schedule your newborn photos is a common question for new parents. As a newborn photographer at dfphoto.net, I often hear from parents wondering about the ideal timing. Let’s explore the best time to capture those fleeting newborn moments, guiding you through different ages and helping you choose what’s perfect for your family.
Ultimately, the best time for your newborn session hinges on two key aspects: whether you envision sleepy, posed images and how you, as a new parent, are feeling post-delivery.
For those dreaming of serene, sleeping baby portraits, scheduling your session within the first two weeks is generally recommended. During this early stage, newborns are naturally more inclined to sleep deeply, especially after a full feed and when snugly swaddled. While babies are wonderfully unpredictable, this period offers the highest chance of capturing those peacefully slumbering poses that are so cherished.
However, if you’re open to capturing your baby awake or are simply happy to document your newborn regardless of sleepiness, then timing becomes more flexible. Newborn photos are beautiful at any stage!
The second crucial factor is your own postpartum recovery and comfort level. The journey of childbirth and postpartum recovery is unique for every mother. Whether you had a vaginal birth or a C-section, the recovery process can vary widely. Coupled with sleep deprivation and adjusting to feeding routines, it’s completely understandable to need a few weeks to feel ready for a photoshoot. Many of my clients find that around three to three and a half weeks postpartum feels like the sweet spot. By this time, you’re likely starting to feel more settled, and baby is still wonderfully newborn.
It’s important to remember that the newborn phase is incredibly brief. That fresh, brand-new baby look, with their delicate features and curled-up posture, typically lasts for around six weeks. After this, their faces begin to fill out, and seemingly overnight, they transition into a more alert, baby-like appearance.
If you’re still undecided about the perfect timing, let’s take a visual journey through how babies photograph at different ages, from their first day to three months old. This will give you a clearer picture and help you determine the ideal “when” for your newborn photos.
A quick note regarding Fresh 48 sessions: While hospital restrictions have been in place, I am excited to offer both birth and Fresh 48 photography again as soon as these restrictions are fully lifted! Please inquire for updates on hospital access.
Newborn at 24 Hours Old
Meet Arabella and Cade, adorable boy-girl twins captured just 24 hours after birth! This session, pre-dating recent health events, captures a moment in time – these little ones are likely starting their school adventures now!
Photographing twins is such a joy, especially seeing them nestled together. Having spent their entire existence in close proximity within their mother’s womb, they naturally gravitate towards each other. These two were constantly reaching for or gently touching their sibling, highlighting their innate connection.
While understandably tired, their parents radiated joy, and the twins remained remarkably peaceful throughout their first photoshoot. Capturing this early stage is truly special, freezing those first hours of life outside the womb.
Newborn at 48 Hours Old
At two days old, this handsome little boy showcases the subtle changes in a newborn’s appearance within just 48 hours. Mom was recovering well from her C-section, and a noticeable difference emerges between 24 and 48 hours, particularly for first-time mothers. By this point, moms often feel more comfortable with breastfeeding, which can lead to babies settling and sleeping for longer periods. Indeed, at this age, babies are often deeply asleep throughout the entirety of their newborn photography session, allowing for those peacefully posed shots.
Newborn at One Week Old
Introducing August Maxwell at exactly one week old! His mother delivered a bit early and was wonderfully ready for newborn photos just a week after birth—and only four days after leaving the hospital! She and her husband, Scott, were eager to document every detail of their precious son as soon as possible. Auggie was a dream, sleeping soundly throughout his entire newborn session and handling outfit and diaper changes like a true champion. At one week, babies still possess that quintessential newborn curl and sleepiness, making it a wonderful time for photos.
Newborn at Two Weeks Old
Meet Wade at two weeks old! His mom was determined to capture those classic sleepy newborn photos and did everything to encourage him to drift off. However, little Wade had other plans and proudly displayed his captivating blue eyes throughout his hour-long session. Aside from a brief pause for a diaper change, he remained calm, observant, and utterly fascinated by my camera! Babies at this age can indeed perceive the flash (though it’s always directed away from them) and even the soft click of the shutter. This often results in beautiful moments of direct eye contact with the lens!
Around two weeks, babies may still have their days and nights a little mixed up. They are also incredibly perceptive to energy. The day of a photoshoot often brings a different atmosphere – perhaps a touch of parental anticipation and preparation. Your little one can sense this subtle shift, sometimes leading to them being more alert than usual. It’s also common for babies to nurse more frequently and for longer durations on photo session days.
If breastfeeding photos are something you cherish, this age is a perfect opportunity to capture that intimate bond. And if you prefer privacy for nursing, I always step out and patiently wait until baby is content and ready to resume the session.
Newborn at Three Weeks Old
Around three weeks is when I typically start to notice more significant changes in how newborns photograph. Their adorable cheeks begin to fill out, and they gain weight all over, becoming delightfully chunkier. This age is also when some parents might notice baby acne or cradle cap – both completely normal and easily retouched during the editing process.
By three weeks, first-time parents often find themselves settling into a routine. Breastfeeding is usually becoming more comfortable, and confidence grows with diaper and outfit changes. Babies at this age are likely to be awake for at least a portion of their photo session. Emma, pictured here, was awake for the first hour, then drifted off to sleep for the final moments after nursing. This mix of awake and sleepy images provides a lovely variety in your newborn gallery.
Newborn at Four Weeks Old
Here’s Scarlett at four and a half weeks old, and you can clearly see she’s starting to look less like a “brand new” baby. Her face is more rounded, and her eyes are becoming more focused and engaging. She was awake for about 90% of her photo session, finally drifting off to sleep for the last few moments. Her parents were delighted we captured a beautiful mix of both awake and sleepy photos, achieved once Scarlett was snugly swaddled and ready to rest.
At this age, baby acne might still be present, and some babies may have shed some of their newborn hair. Tolerance for outfit changes can vary – some babies are still happy to be dressed, while others become less enthusiastic. Headbands and bonnets can become a bit more challenging if baby isn’t fond of them. However, the expressions and interactions you get at this age are incredibly rewarding.
Newborn at Five Weeks Old
This is Summit, one of my absolutely adorable nephews! My sister-in-law, Kelsey, initially hoped for newborn photos a bit earlier than five weeks, but Summit arrived ahead of schedule, and I couldn’t adjust my travel to see him sooner (though I was so eager to meet him!).
Ultimately, Kelsey appreciated the extra time before the session as her confidence as a new mom blossomed each week. By the time I arrived for photos, aspects of parenting like breastfeeding, bathing, changing, and soothing felt a bit easier. Kelsey was able to truly relax and enjoy the session because her initial new-mama anxieties had eased.
Most babies at this age are awake for the entire hour-long session. However, sweet Summit surprised us with a little nap! Five weeks is a great time to capture those beautiful, wide-eyed newborn expressions.
Newborn at Six Weeks Old
Meet sweet Storie at six weeks old! Her mom, Amanda, initially planned for newborn photos much sooner, but adjusting to motherhood took longer than anticipated – a very common experience! I was so glad Amanda and Hector waited to schedule photos until they could truly enjoy this special time with Storie. Babies are incredibly precious at every stage!
Storie was content being cuddled by her mom and nestled in my Moses basket during her newborn session. This sweet girl was awake for the entire in-home session, and we paused a couple of times for feeding breaks. At six weeks, you’ll see more pronounced facial expressions from your little one, and many babies have discovered their fingers by this point, too!
Comparing Storie’s face to babies just a few days or weeks younger reveals a significant difference. Even Amanda remarked how quickly Storie was growing out of her newborn look each day! Six weeks marks a transition from the very early newborn phase to a more baby-like stage.
Newborn at Seven Weeks Old
Introducing Aubrey, the first baby for Jessica and Josh. Mom contacted me about five weeks after Aubrey arrived to arrange newborn photos. Jessica hadn’t really considered newborn photos until Aubrey was born, and then the initial newborn haze took over! This is why sweet Aubrey is a bit older in these photos.
Aubrey was sleeping soundly when I arrived for her in-home session and remained asleep for about half of it. Settling babies for photos can sometimes take a little longer at this age, which is perfectly normal. It never bothers me when babies cry – having navigated the newborn stage three times myself, I understand! But I know it can be stressful for new parents. Jessica patiently nursed, burped, rocked, and walked with Aubrey until she drifted back to sleep, allowing us to capture the final part of her newborn session.
At seven weeks, babies are often growing out of many newborn outfits and some swaddles. I keep a neutral ivory swaddle specifically for bigger, older newborns as it consistently photographs beautifully. As you can see, Aubrey’s cheeks are quite full, and she’s starting to resemble a two-month-old baby more than a newborn.
Newborn at Eight Weeks Old
Lisa and Ross never imagined their son would be eight weeks old for his newborn photos, but an unexpected C-section and a challenging recovery period delayed their session. Lisa knew it was important to feel ready to celebrate her son, and I’m grateful she prioritized her healing and rest. She’s even wearing a belly binder in her photos, often easily concealed by flowing dresses! You wouldn’t know it from her beautiful images.
Dustin at eight weeks is undeniably in the baby stage! He’s starting to show hints of little smiles and actively interacts with the camera and his parents. I especially loved capturing photos of him in his crib, intently focused on my lens – his blue eyes are mesmerizing! When I photographed his one-year session, I could still see so much of his newborn face, even at a year old. Had I photographed him earlier, within the first week or two, those family resemblances might have been less apparent.
Baby at Three Months Old!
Jameson, at three months old, is an adorable “chunky monkey”! He’s the fourth baby in his lovely family, and his mom, Christa, scheduled newborn photos a little later as she adjusted to life with a new baby in the mix. Jameson was such a joy to photograph, smiling and giggling at me – the difference between a brand new baby and a three-month-old is wonderfully obvious!
At 12 weeks, this is the latest I typically photograph “newborns” because, technically, they’ve transitioned into the baby stage. “Baby sessions” that showcase their developing personalities (and those adorable thigh rolls!) become a more fitting choice. Babies at this age often dislike being swaddled and are generally harder to settle into sleep.
Usually, babies who are three months old for their “newborn” sessions may have had extended NICU stays, or mom might have faced health or recovery challenges that prevented earlier scheduling. Fortunately, this wasn’t the case with Jameson – everyone was happy and overjoyed to have him home!
So, When is the Best Time to Schedule Newborn Photos?
The most popular timeframe among my clients is around three and a half weeks after birth. This allows for some postpartum recovery while still capturing many classic newborn features.
Regardless of age, I always recommend a full tummy and a cozy swaddle, especially if sleepy photos are desired! To make the day easier, consider inviting a friend or family member to help you get ready on the morning of your session. I love to photograph new grandparents with their grandbabies, often starting with these shots to allow me to focus on you and your immediate family for the majority of the session.
New parents and babies are often understandably tired by the end of a newborn session. Having grandparent photos done earlier allows us to wrap up whenever you, your partner, and baby are ready to change into comfy clothes and sneak in a nap!
Must-Have Photos for Newborn Sessions
This is a quick glimpse into essential shots for your newborn session! My full newborn session galleries typically include 120+ professionally edited images, and you get to select your favorites! My comprehensive must-have shot list is far more extensive, but here’s a sample of what your session would beautifully capture:
- Family with baby, gazing at baby
- Family with baby, looking at the camera
- Dad standing with baby
- Dad seated with baby
- Mom standing with baby
- Mom seated with baby
- Baby in Moses basket
- Baby with siblings or pets
Let’s connect to plan your perfect newborn session and capture these fleeting, precious moments in time!
