When is the best time to have a Newborn Photo Session? This is my most asked question by far, so I thought I’d write a blog so it can help you make the decision for yourself.

This is by no means the concrete answer but is very much my opinion and basically it depends what it is you are after. For example if you want smiles and ‘gooooos’ then don’t get one done in the first week as this is when they are most sleepy and basically don’t do very much. So you can make your own decision, I will try and explain about the first key moments you may want to capture from my experience of taking newborn photos, and believe me I have seen a lot of babies throughout my photography life.

Firstly, you have probably guessed from my website, that I’m a natural light photographer using very little posing. My style is very much capturing you and your baby in your natural environment rather than in a studio and it’s down to personal preference as to which you go for. However if you like my style then great, please keep reading! A little bit about me is here.

So let’s begin… When is the best time to have a Newborn Photo Session?

First few weeks

I call this the sleepy stage. Some say that this is the only window of opportunity to take newborn photos. Personally when I had my little boy I defined the newborn phase as the first 12-16 weeks. I didn’t want it to end. Every time he moved onto the next age group of clothes as he got bigger, I had a mini meltdown!! My baby was growing up. Although they are very sleepy this is definitely the time to get the teeny tiny hands and feet and features. You are still in a bubble of ‘what the hell am I doing?’ and ‘am I really solely responsible for the smallest person on earth??’. Of course if you do feel up to it then go for it. I absolutely love capturing them when they are so tiny, and those connections between the whole family in the first few weeks. But don’t worry if you can’t quite make it out of bed yet or you just don’t want to face the camera, there is still plenty of time to capture that teeny tiny little person. Some people have their baby and want to capture it straight away but some just want to wait and get their head around it all. So please don’t panic, you haven’t missed it all.

A couple of examples of the first couples of weeks on my blog are here:

• 4 days old – Baby Phoebe
• 8 Days old – Baby Maisie Rose
• 3 weeks old – Baby Max
• 4 weeks old – Baby Billy

5-6 weeks Old

I would say the next early milestone is 5-6 weeks ish. I have done plenty in between though. Some people go for this time as their little ones are now more alert and some have even done their first great big smile and I do everything in my power to get that smile if I can. Also if there is any dry skin or baby acne at the beginning it has normally started to clear up by now. Have a look at some of these:

• 5 Weeks Old – Baby Beatrice
• 6 weeks old – Baby Alice
• 6 weeks old – Baby Scarlett

8-10 weeks Old (2 Months)

At this point their heads are still a little fragile but they are starting to interact more and even mimic your expressions. They may even start to reach for you when they need attention, security or comfort. What’s important here too is that you are definitely starting to find your feet now and understand your babies pattern much more. It can be so daunting at first can’t it? But if you feel more in control around this time, then you may only think about photos now. Have a look at this one with twin girls and their big brother Charlie and Baby Matilda at 10 weeks.

• 8 weeks – The Palgrave family with Twins
• 10 weeks – Baby Matilda

12 – 16 weeks (3 months)

At this point most babies can now hold their head quite comfortably at a 45 degree angle if they have been doing lots of tummy time (but every baby is different). They generally feel quite robust now too. They are sometimes ‘cooing’ and ‘gurgling’ too. You can get a lot more interaction and their eyes follow you around the room much more. Their faces are becoming less like a newborn and more like tiny human beings. This is also such a lovely time and here a session I have done around this time.

14 Weeks – Baby Oscar – Oscar could smile, but I loved his little frown more!

I’d probably say after this time you have probably stretched the newborn phase as much as you can. I didn’t want it to end but I have to say I’ve enjoyed every single second of Louis (my Son’s first year) and the more you get back from them the better it is. It really does just get better and better.

I hope this has helped you decide on when you would like to think about a newborn photography session. I do urge those that want to book the very young ones in the first couple of weeks to book around your 20 week scan to avoid any disappointment. I only do a number of the tiny ones to make sure I can accommodate them just in case timings do change.

For those that want to capture the first milestones within the first year. Please have a look at my ‘Watch you Little Beanies Grow’ package here. This has become really popular and a great way to document their first year.

If you like my style then please do get in touch to organise a session time to suit you. I simply love what I do and if I can create those memories for you, it makes my job and love for photography so worthwhile.

Lots of love

Lisa xxx

All photographs taken by Little Beanies Photography.

I am a photographer and founder of Little Beanies Photography specialising in bumps, newborns, babies and families. Little Beanies Photography is a fun, natural, relaxed experience using only natural light to capture the real moments in life.

I would love it if you had a look at my work here and if you would like any further information please contact here