As a new parent, it can be quite challenging to understand the best time for a newborn photoshoot. Sometimes, your family and friends can give many views, leaving you confused.

It’s true that newborns are very unpredictable from one moment to the next – and that is, in fact, an understatement. This is why choosing the right time and set-up for a newborn photoshoot is crucial to making the most out of the session. It also comes with the need to maintain the safety of the baby.

So, the only reliable way to figure out the ideal timeframe for a newborn photoshoot is to take expert insights from a professional photographer.

2-weeks

As a general rule for infant photography, 2 weeks is considered the golden standard. During this time, babies are still small and soft, making them look very similar to how they did at birth. It also helps in getting raw emotions and expressions perfectly snapped.

At 2-week most babies spend time sleeping or curled up on your chest to snuggle, making it easy to set them up in different positions or styles. Besides that, during this time, both parents will be off, so schedules are a bit more relaxed for them to get involved in getting the perfect photoshoot done.

3-4 week old babies

Most of the time, newborns develop baby acne in their third week. It is also a week of a growth spurt, where babies tend to be a little clingier and crankier, needing more comfort.

If you missed the 2-week window, it is best to wait at least 5 weeks to schedule the photoshoot. However, if you feel your baby is comfortable and happy enough to go through a photoshoot, then feel free to get it done as you like.

5-8 week old babies

This gives enough time for both the baby and the parents to recover from birth. In 5-8 weeks, babies can be awake a bit and are more aware of the environment. This gives you more opportunities to get photos of your babies while they are awake.

Baby acne that develops 3-4 weeks after birth also clears up by this time, and they develop a squishy look, making their pictures look cuter. As a fun fact, some babies also start smiling between 6 and 8 weeks, so it can be the best time for a newborn photoshoot with a mix of different emotions.

Older Babies

Sometimes, health complications or safety concerns for your baby can make you miss the “magic window” of baby photography. If you feel this way, remember that the beauty of photography, in general, is that it’s always a good time for photos.

Older babies can interact more, listen to things, and respond, allowing them to capture a blend of different reactions and expressions. During this time, they can also sit or stand up, play with toys, and give hugs and smiles, which goes a long way in creating a very versatile photoshoot that captures their early sense of exploration and development.

Takeaway

In photography, there is no one-size-fits-all. The same applies to newborn photography. As long as you as a parent feel your baby is healthy and safe to do a photo shoot, it is always the best time to capture their experiences unfolding to the outside world.