 This is one of the most common questions I get asked before parents book a newborn photoshoot.
The ideal time for a newborn photography session is usually within the first 5 to 14 days after birth. This little window is often considered the perfect age for newborn photography because babies are still very sleepy, beautifully curled up, and usually more settled for gentle newborn poses. However, even though 5 to 14 days is ideal, please do not worry if your baby is older. Newborn images can still be taken after two weeks. Why the First 5 to 14 Days Are Ideal In the first few days after birth, babies are still adjusting to life outside the womb and feeding is often still being established. I therefore like to give families the first 4 to 5 days to settle at home, and for mums to rest and recover. After around the fifth day, babies usually sleep deeply, enjoy being gently wrapped, and still naturally curl into those tiny newborn positions. Babies Are Usually Sleepier Newborn babies tend to sleep more deeply in the first couple of weeks. This sleepiness is one of the main reasons photographers recommend booking your session early. When baby is sleepy, it is easier to capture those curled-up positions. Baby can usually be wrapped, settled, and gently moved without becoming too disturbed. It has taken me many years to master my posing workflow. I transition baby gently, with minimal movements between poses, while they remain sleeping. Not every baby sleeps through their entire session, and that is completely fine. Newborn sessions typically last around three hours and, within that time, a newborn baby under two weeks old will usually have even the briefest period of deep sleep. That can be enough time to capture a beautiful variety of images. Babies Are Naturally More Curled Up For months, your baby has been tucked up tightly in the womb. During the first two weeks after birth, many babies still naturally hold that curled-up shape. As babies get older, they begin to stretch out more. They become stronger, more alert, and often less keen to stay in those curled positions. I can absolutely still photograph your baby after this time. However, it can mean that some newborn poses become less achievable after the early weeks. Skin Can Be at Its Best Another reason the first couple of weeks are often recommended is baby’s skin. Many newborns have beautifully soft skin in the first few days. As the days go on, it is very common for little milk spots, flaky skin, baby acne, or redness to appear. Again, please do not worry at all if your baby’s skin changes before your photoshoot. If you would like these temporary marks gently removed in post-production, I can do that for you. What If My Baby Arrives Early or Late? This is one of the biggest worries parents have when booking a newborn session, as in my experience, babies rarely arrive exactly on their due date. For this reason, I offer a flexible booking system. You can reserve your newborn session during pregnancy using your due date as a guide, and then get in touch once baby arrives. We can then agree on a session date that suits us both. I only take a limited number of newborn bookings every month to ensure that I have availability for you in the first two weeks, no matter when baby chooses to arrive. I recommend booking around the time of your 20 week scan to guarantee availability. Can I Still Book If My Baby Is Older Than Two Weeks? Yes, absolutely. While the first 5 to 14 days is the ideal timeframe, beautiful images can still be taken after this stage. The session may just look a little different, as older newborns may be more awake and more stretched out. If your baby is already here, it is still worth getting in touch to enquire about availability. My Simple Advice Is...
If you are expecting a baby in Ayrshire or the Glasgow area and would like more information about newborn photography, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Lynne x |
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