Preparing for the arrival of a new baby can be quite stressful. There are always so many things to consider and think about, and sometimes newborn photography gets put on hold. Many people will tell you that it is best to book your newborn photographer 4-8 weeks in advance so that you can schedule the newborn session when the baby is less than two weeks old. However, in a perfect world, this would work out great, but it does not always work out this way, and that is not a problem.
In this article, I want to share with you why it is best to book your session in advance and why it is best when the baby is around two weeks old. On the flip side, I will explain why it is also not too late if your baby is older than two weeks.
Overview of Newborn Photography
Newborn photography is a unique type of portrait photography as it takes great patience and time. As a newborn photographer, I have created a unique workflow where I can capture the best photos of your baby and family.
Preparing for the Photoshoot
Prior to the photo shoot, I send out a PDF on how to prepare the baby for a successful photoshoot. If closely followed, the baby will tend to be naturally sleepy and calm, allowing me to swaddle the baby and place them into the parents’ or siblings’ arms.
Swaddling and Safe Shots
Swaddling the baby for these photos is always best, as the baby’s limbs are nicely tucked into the wrap, so hands are not up to the face, and the legs are not kicking out, preventing the baby from settling into a comfortable position. Some parents prefer that the baby is naked and curled up in the parents’ hands/arms or on dad’s bare chest or over mom’s bare shoulder, which are beautiful images. However, I recommend doing these types of photos once we have gotten a family photo with the swaddle as a “safe shot.”
Capturing Baby's Expressions
Sometimes the baby will even be awake and calm, allowing for a few photos with the baby’s eyes open. It is preferred that most of the photos have the baby sleeping with eyes closed, as babies can’t focus their eyes until they are about eight weeks old, which means they could be cross-eyed or looking somewhere other than the camera when we take the photo.
Posing and Props
After the parent/sibling photos, I will focus on just the baby and move through photos of the baby on the posing table and then into all the cute props. I try to get at least 5-6 swaddle and outfit changes as I go through this flow to create as much variety as possible for the client’s photo gallery.
Prime Time for Newborn Photography
After over a decade of photographing newborn babies, I have had very successful photo shoots with babies from 6 days old to 6 weeks old.
The 6-14 Days Window
The best time to do a newborn session is when the baby is around 6-14 days old; however, this is really a guideline rather than a rule. The reason that this window of time is suggested is that your newborn baby will spend longer periods of time asleep and will naturally enjoy spending time curled up in the fetal position, which results in them being comfortable in the popular newborn photography poses that you see in my portfolio.
Benefits of Early Sessions
It is important that the newborn baby is sleepy because when we change swaddles to different colors or put on a cute little newborn outfit, we want the baby to be able to fall back to sleep and be able to move through as many different backgrounds and props as possible. Another advantage to doing the newborn session around 6-14 days old is that you will generally avoid newborn acne. Newborn acne occurs in about 20% of newborns and is referred to as neonatal acne, often developing within 2 to 4 weeks. Generally, it’s nothing to worry about and can easily be edited out of the photos. I can also easily edit out peeling skin, but in preparation for the photoshoot, I always suggest keeping the baby well-moisturized a day or two before the shoot.
Newborn Sessions: What to Expect
Newborn sessions range from 2-3 hours, and typically, only a small proportion of that time is spent taking photographs. The rest of the time is reserved for taking breaks for the baby to be fed when needed, diaper changes, and settling the baby to sleep in between changing into different swaddles and outfits.
Morning Sessions
I prefer to schedule the newborn session in the morning, as babies tend to cooperate and do better in the morning. I have noticed that as the day wears on, babies tend to become overstimulated and fussier, causing them to be more awake. This is especially true for young siblings, which is why I highly recommend sessions with babies and kids to take place in the morning hours.
After 3 Weeks
After 3 weeks, babies tend to spend more time awake, and it becomes harder to get them to settle. They begin to notice their limbs and like to stretch out a bit more, tending not to curl up into the typical newborn poses that are most popular. Also, it is not safe to pose awake babies because they try to wiggle out of the pose or push off with their legs, which could result in them rolling off the posing table or out of a prop. At this age, I like to take photos of the baby laying on their back, tightly swaddled, and in simple poses. This tends to be the best way to keep the baby content and peaceful.
Individual Differences
These are just generalizations, as every baby is different. Some babies are very relaxed, mellow, and peaceful and will let us easily pose them however we choose. Some will even hold the poses we set when they are awake. Other babies are more tense and don’t like to be posed. Still, others are peaceful until we start trying to move their limbs around to pose them, and they voice their objections very clearly.
Adapting to Your Baby
Ultimately, no one can fully predict your baby’s newborn session. However, as an experienced professional photographer specializing in newborn photography, I can capture beautiful photos of your baby regardless of what adjustments I need to make to accommodate the baby. It is a matter of learning how to interact with each unique baby and being extremely patient, finding a way to best capture your beautiful baby in between the unhappy moments that may pop up.
Scheduling Your Newborn Photography Session
Newborn photographers typically take a limited number of newborn sessions in a month, so it is important to get in contact with your photographer at least 4-8 weeks in advance of the baby’s due date to ensure availability on the schedule. Another reason to schedule in advance is that it gives you time to schedule a consultation with your photographer and discuss all the details and appropriately plan for the newborn session.
Planning and Customization
During the consultation, we can discuss the color schemes and props you’d like to use, look at reference photos, and find inspiration for your baby’s session and plan that first family photo.
Virtual Wall Art Planning
Nowadays, photographers like myself have advanced programs that even allow you to send in photos of your empty wall space. We can then input these photos into our program and virtually show you what professional wall art of your baby and family could look like in your own home.
Scheduling Based on Due Date
Once you decide to book your session with me, the scheduling process is a little bit different than the normal booking regarding the date. Your due date is placed on my calendar, and once the baby is here, we schedule accordingly. As we know, a baby’s arrival can vary greatly based on when they decide to make their entrance.
Conclusion
I often see clients not taking this advice, waiting until after the baby is born, only to discover that their favorite photographer is booked, or they struggle to find another photographer available for the prime time frame for newborn photos. They may even end up settling for a photographer who does not specialize in newborn photography and miss out on the professional newborn photography experience.
To make the most of your newborn photography session, it is crucial to book your session in advance, follow guidelines on the best time for the session, and work closely with your photographer to plan and prepare for the photoshoot. Doing so will ensure you have a beautiful and memorable collection of photos to cherish as your baby grows.
