I'm an Appleton, WI based family photographer that loves capturing genuine moments with laid-back playfulness.
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Ah, the magical time for capturing precious moments of your adorable bundle of joy! When should you embark on the grand adventure of newborn photos?
Ideally, newborn photos should be taken between 7-10 days after birth. This is enough time for a general routine to be established, baby to be getting enough milk, and also the time when baby sleeps the easiest. It’s not that taking photos after 7-10 days is impossible, but it can be more challenging and you may not get those wrapped, sleepy baby poses you have your heart set on.
That being said, some families don’t want super posed and wrapped images anyways. If you’re in this camp, you have a lot more leeway as far as when you can schedule your newborn photo session. I would still recommend before the three-month mark, as babies change SO much in the first couple of months.
No! A 4-week-old newborn is not too old for newborn photos. I have done sessions with 4-week-old babies and while they may take longer to settle, it’s definitely possible. A good wrap like the Swaddle Pro (in the large size) comes in handy for these sessions! Here is an image from a 4-week-old newborn session done in the family’s home.
At 8 weeks old, a baby is awake a lot longer and has settled more into their eat, sleep, play routine. They may have a more difficult time settling. I recommend a lifestyle newborn session for babies at this age. Sleeping baby photos will be much more difficult to get, but still possible with enough time. I wouldn’t recommend a newborn session at 8 weeks if you desire posed, wrapped baby-alone images. Babies at this age are much more awake and interactive which makes for beautiful family images.
Don’t worry if you dropped the ball on newborn photos (you haven’t!) Most photographers today, myself included, are much more flexible for photographing newborns than in the past. That said, it’s also important to be realistic about what to expect. If you have your heart set on posed and wrapped baby images, definitely schedule before baby is born. If you’re more flexible, it doesn’t matter quite as much, just make sure to schedule before baby is 3 months.
Check out photos from a recent session with an 8 week old newborn below! These were taken a local studio.
If you are interested in learning more about newborn photography with Daphodil Photo, check out my newborn photography page. If you’d like to chat about a session together, contact me here!
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Capturing Genuine Moments with Laid-Back Playfulness
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Nikki is an Appleton, WI based photographer that captures genuine moments with laid-back playfulness.