One of the most asked questions I get is; for what age should I book a newborn shoot?
In the whirlwind months after welcoming your new small human into the world, it can be hard to think of anything beyond nappies, milk and sleep. If you’re considering professional newborn photography, deciding who will do it and when can be difficult, especially with so many other things to keep on top of.
There are all kinds of styles of newborn photography; the more traditional posed photos, clean white studio sessions and in-home sessions. I offer only the latter; relaxed lifestyle newborn photography in the comfort of your own home! I'm all about showcasing that special connection between parents, siblings and of course, your beautiful new baby. And it's a no-stress option because you don’t even have to get out the door.
The advantage of my lifestyle newborn photography style is that I don’t pose the baby. My sessions are very relaxed and don't require bub to be asleep or to perform any crazy baby yoga positions, so even if your baby is 6 to 12 weeks old by the time you are feeling up to photos, they will still capture all that new baby love. Don’t worry if the baby cries and needs cuddles, or if it wants a feed, needs a nappy change, or your toddler is having a meltdown. My sessions are scheduled with plenty of time and we will get what we need. I’ll keep clicking during all these moments too because they are all so precious.
So if you’re wondering how old your baby should be for a lifestyle in-home newborn session? I usually suggest booking your session in your little ones' first 4 weeks to capture your baby's freshness and sleep moments. Plus they grow and change so quickly in that first month of life. That being said, a lifestyle newborn session can be done anywhere in the first 3 months, and older babies connect with their parents more with eye contact and smiles. So here’s a little breakdown of the different types of pictures you can expect at each stage in the first 3 months.
1-2 Weeks Old
Babies are usually very sleepy at this stage. They don't cry as much when they are changed and will probably be asleep for the majority of the session. They are happy to be swaddled and held. This is also a stage that is so quick and fleeting and they often still have that newborn flaky skin which is so precious and beautiful. Some Mums are fine to have a session at this time and others are not. It depends on the birth experience and most importantly how YOU feel after the birth. Some people book a session for this time and if you need time to recover (or if the baby needs it), we can just postpone it a few weeks, no pressure!
2-6 Weeks Old
Baby is a little bit less sleepy but you've likely settled a bit more into your new family dynamic and routine. Plus fingers crossed you're starting to get a few more hours of sleep at night! At this age, your baby could be asleep for the whole session or wide awake, or ideally a mix of both. We can still capture a lot of the little details and there will be more eye contact, funny expressions and who knows maybe even a tiny little smile! This is probably the age that I tend to photograph most - especially if people didn't pre-book the session while still pregnant.
8-12 Weeks Old
If you’d like pictures when your baby is still very small but more alert then this timeframe can be a fantastic choice. Working around their naps, whether regular or erratic, we can capture those magical first smiles and the mesmerising sparkle in their eyes. A great age if you want more connection in your images. With me, these sessions are relaxed and follow a story-telling approach: your family in your home and your favourite places, doing all the things that you love to do. You might have a favourite chair you like to nurse in or the funny little things and games you play to make them smile. These are the everyday things to record in your pictures, the things you will want to remember.
3 Month +
But you don't even need to limit yourself to the first 12 weeks. I have done plenty of shoots with babies around 3-4 months old and it's still such a great age, full of personality, croissant legs (yes please!) and big smiles. They may seem not so newborn anymore at this age but trust me, when they are 1 or even 6 months old you'll look back at photos of them at 3 or 4 months old and all you'll see is how tiny they still were back then!
All I can say is all stages are precious! These sessions allow you to preserve these moments forever so that in years to come, your child can see all of the memories from this time with YOU there with them! Hopefully this post has given you some more ideas of what you can expect from a lifestyle newborn in-home session with me.
Ready to get in touch? I’d love to chat about planning your lifestyle newborn photography shoot and telling your story. Give me a call or send me a message, I’d be delighted to hear from you. I can’t wait to get to know your family and create beautiful photographs for you and your family to enjoy.
Roz Creed is a lifestyle newborn, maternity, and family photographer based in Chiswick, West London. She loves to capture authentic connections between people and families and to freeze those moments in time that pass all too quickly. The areas she covers are Chiswick, Fulham, Barnes, Mortlake, Richmond, Kew, Brentford, Acton, Ealing Hammersmith, Putney, Battersea, Wandsworth, Fulham, Parsons Green, Wimbledon, Hampstead, Belsize, St Johns Wood, Shepherds Bush, Twickenham, Kingston upon Thames, Nortbiton, Teddington, Central London, Notting Hill, Paddington, Kensington & Chelsea, Holland Park, Victoria, Pimlico, Vauxhall, Lambeth, Maida Vale, Kilburn, Queenspark, Kensal Rise, Islington & Stoke Newington. If you live out of these areas that is not a problem, but an additional travel fee may apply.