Best Time to Take Lifestyle Newborn Photos | NJ Newborn Photographer

How to Choose the best time to take lifestyle newborn photos.

As a New Jersey newborn and family photographer, I’m often asked about the best time to take lifestyle newborn photos. The answer is, “it depends”. Every family is unique and has different goals for newborn pictures. Choosing the best time for your newborn photos depends on type of photos and session you want. It’s also important to choose a time that works well for your family. Since I specialize in lifestyle newborn photography sessions, I’ll share my recommendations from that particular perspective. Follow these three tips to help you choose the best time for your family’s lifestyle, newborn session.

For photos that show how new and little your baby is, have photos taken when he is 7-14 days old

Many parents want to document those precious details when their baby is still so small and brand new. If this sounds like you, then you might want to consider taking newborn photos during the first two weeks after birth. This is also a great time to take photos if you love sleepy baby images since babies are more likely to sleep a lot during the first few weeks of life.

If you prefer some time to settle in at home, plan photos when your baby is 2-4 weeks old

When it comes to lifestyle photography, there are no rules or restrictions about the best age for newborn photos. That’s great news for parents who may prefer to wait a few weeks to settle in at home with their new baby before having a photo session. Whether you’re bringing home your first baby or your second or third, settling into life with a newborn is an adjustment–especially if you have other young children. You don’t need any added pressure to schedule your session soon after birth. Instead, consider planning your session when your baby is between two and four weeks old. This still allows us to capture those fleeting first memories of life with your new baby. But, it also gives you a chance to catch your breath a bit before your session.

For more alert photos of your baby, schedule your session between 6 weeks and 3 months 

If you’re hoping to capture your newborn when she’s a bit more alert, consider scheduling your session when your baby is older than four weeks. By six weeks, your baby may be sleeping less, making for a greater likelihood of us getting images of her looking intently into your eyes. Those are among my most favorite newborn photos to capture because as a mom, I know how special and fleeting those moments feel.

After the first month of life, it’s also likely that you baby’s personality will have begun to emerge. If you’re hoping to capture more of her personality and more alert photos, consider having photos taken between six weeks and three months. Of course, there’s no guarantee that your super smiley baby will give us great grins during her photos, but it can’t hurt to hope she does!

Scheduling a session later is also a good option if you had a baby during winter and prefer to book an outdoor spring session rather than an in-home newborn session. 

I hope you found my tips for planning the best time to take lifestyle newborn photos helpful! Want to know more about lifestyle newborn photography? Check out my post on Three Things to Love About Lifestyle Newborn Photo Sessions.

If you’re interested in booking a lifestyle newborn session, I’d love to document this special time in your life! Get in touch today!