When is the best age and time to have a newborn baby photoshoot? | London Newborn Photographer

When is the best age and time to have a newborn baby photoshoot? This is a very common question for most parents who want professional images of their newborn babies. There are a thousand and one things to get used to the moment a new baby arrives and sometimes it seems that it is best to leave any photoshoot until the baby is a little older. But then sometimes we want to capture those first few days, the teeny weeny size of newborns in Mummy or Daddy’s hands, those dinky fingers and toes, those first windy smiles…. So when is it best to have a newborn photoshoot?

My answer is that it depends on what images you want. If you want the sleeping baby curled up in fetal position, small enough to hang on Daddy’s arm, sleeping peacefully with the occasional whistling lips and windy smiles, wrapped up tight in a special blanket in a nest…

Then my answer would be the first two weeks. During those days, newborns tend to be very sleepy during the day and stay asleep for a little longer especially with a full tummy. It would then be easier to position baby for the sleeping photos. Of course during the session baby can wake sometimes and interact with everyone and that’s also a great opportunity to capture awake photos.

When there is an older sibling to be photographed with the newborn, it’s easier for everyone too to have one sleeping baby and have some time to concentrate on the energetic toddler.

On all my newborn and very young baby shoots, I provide parents with a really helpful guide on how to prepare for a photoshoot specific to newborns, what to have ready and what to wear and not to wear and many more. On the day itself, I also share tips on how to soothe baby and keep them happy, especially when they fuss a little or cry. Not all babies sleep; the younger they are, the more longer sleep is likely.

Some parents prefer photos when baby is cutting first teeth or giggling and smiling, interacting lots, sitting up or even crawling.

This would be around the 5 month up to 1 year mark. It’s a fun time, more hands-on no doubt and with plenty of incentives needed for the baby during the session. It is also important to try and keep to the already established routine of baby to get the best out of their awake and happy time. There is no doubt teamwork between the parents and the photographer is the key to successful newborn photography.

I hope this has helped you think through what type of shots you want for your baby. If you want both types, fear not! I now offer a Baby Plan at Studio L. Email me lily@lilysawyer.com for more details.

Click here for tips on how to prepare for a photoshoot and here for ideas on what to wear for a photoshoot.