When Should Newborn Photos be Taken? // Ohio Lifestyle Newborn Photographers
Wondering when to schedule newborn photos?
Traditional advice is between 7-10 days (and I’ll break down why), but so much depends on what exactly you are looking for. As a Columbus, Ohio lifestyle newborn photographer, I urge you to spend some time considering what type of newborn photography session you want as well as remain flexible, because sometimes babies come with their own agenda.
Why you should schedule newborn photos in the 7-10 days old range:
You’ll be capturing your baby in his or her freshest, newest days, littler than they’ll ever be again, cozy and sleepy and snuggly. Newborn babies sleep A LOT, which makes it easier to set up sleepy baby poses like the one below.
I’ll let you in on a secret: this little guy was 6 weeks old here, which brings me to my next point…
Why it’s also okay to wait to schedule newborn photos: the newborn phase lasts 6-8 weeks
Sometimes things don’t go according to plan: baby came early and had to spend time in NICU, or life got chaotic and you didn’t book a newborn session in advance (or you didn’t realize you wanted one), but now that baby is here you can’t find anyone who’s available for a few weeks. It’s okay! You can still get really great images after those first 10 days.
Most newborns are in their sleepy, snuggly newborn phase for 6-8 weeks.
That extra time gives you and your family a chance to bond with the new baby, and gives mom a chance to recover from pregnancy and birth. Many parents feel more relaxed and rested after a few weeks, once they’ve had a chance to settle into a routine with their baby. We can plan your photo session around baby’s sleep rhythms in order to catch him while he’s awake AND asleep, getting the best of both worlds.
wide awake!
and back to sleep
Are we too late for a newborn session?!?
If you’re past the 8 week mark, your baby has probably transitioned out of the “newborn” phase, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to schedule something that’s similar to a traditional newborn photography session. Your baby will still never be this small again, and you will absolutely not regret capturing the tender moments of early motherhood and the bond your family is growing with your new baby.
Here are some moments you can capture with an older baby at home:
Baby swaddled up, nursing/bottle feeding, burping, tummy time, bath time, baby in her crib or bassinet, reading books in the nursery, snuggling in bed, cradling and singing lullabies, tiny fingers and toes… add these all up and you’ll have a little snippet of these fleeting early days that you can share with your baby as they grow.
Want to talk about when to schedule your newborn photos? Contact me here with any questions you have.
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