What to Expect – Newborn
As a photographer who specializes in newborn photography, i found literally every mama has the same question:
‘What do I need to know about newborn photos?’
AT WHAT AGE SHOULD NEWBORN PHOTOS BE TAKEN?
The best time for newborn photos is between 4 and 10 days after birth. The first few days are hard, you’re just meeting each other and figuring each other out.
If you carried your baby, you’re also still bloated and frankly tired.
The younger the baby, the more naturally they pose like they are still in the womb. That’s how you get those curly, womb-like newborn poses.
During this period babies love sleeping, being curled up like they were in the womb, being swaddled and being held. They sleep long stretches of the day. These things that newborns naturally do at this stage make for beautiful photos and a fairly stress-free photo session. Are there times a baby might need some soothing or a feeding? Sure. But for the most part they love being held and if they are warm and feed, they are happy.
Why do newborn photographers require baby be between 4 and 10 days old?
In general newborns are sleepiest in the very early days. If you are looking for posed style newborn photography, that is require the baby to be in a deep sleep.
Personally, after years as a newborn photographer, I have found there is not a magic number of days old that will guarantee a baby in a deep sleep. Some babies are grumpy and struggling with feeding issues at 7 days. Some babies are more alert from day one. Some sleep long stretches of the day for weeks and weeks.
In my experience, a newborn session anytime in the first four weeks of baby’s life will result beautiful newborn style pictures.
As long as you understand different approach for different age babies, will be able to capture beautiful times portraits of your little one natural beauty.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO TAKE NEWBORN PHOTOS?
Start time between 8-10am. I honestly don’t know why but it’s the magical hour for newborns. They are sleepiest at this time!
I know you might not feel your best. You might not even be cleared to drive yet. But you will never regret having those memories. And you can’t get them back. Don’t regret it. Get in the picture.
I know perfect angles and posing to make sure you look amazing, even if you are not feeling the best. These images really highlight your connection with your partner and your newborn!
How do we schedule dates if we don’t know when exactly baby arrives?
I normally book up to 3 newborns per week, it’s always good to reach out when you’re in session and we put due date on my calendar it helps me to plan and guarantees you availability.
A note about c-sections and preemies
For babies born early the window for newborn style photos is longer. Generally, when baby is between 6 and 8 pounds is ideal.
C-sections involve more recovery time, I recommend scheduling your newborn session when your baby is about 2-3 weeks old to allow yourself the necessary time to recover and feel photo ready.
Why not wait until baby is a month or two old?
At this age babies are starting to look less “newborn”. They have gained 2-3 pounds which is significant with an average birth weight of 6-8 pounds. Most full-term babies are no longer comfortable in curled up womb like positions at this point. They are more alert and more sensitive to being moved around as they sleep than younger newborns. They are not yet sleeping through the night, are still taking multiple naps a day and are not yet on a predictable enough nap schedule to plan a photo session for an awake period.
One to two months old is an in between age where baby has outgrown many newborn things but is not yet doing big baby things like holding their head up or smiling.
Babies are incredibly sweet and precious at this age. No question. But what they can do and what their schedules look like at this stage does not line up as well with being photographed as earlier or later stages. For these reasons many parents choose to wait until baby is 4-6 months old to schedule a photo session.
My baby is already here, is it too late?
If your baby is already here and you suddenly had a change of heart about newborn photos, you are not alone! Please don’t hesitate to reach out about session availability. I am often able to fit in last minute sessions if other babies have arrived early or late. If at all possible, I will try to get you scheduled while baby is younger than a month old.
SHOULD NEWBORN PORTRAITS BE DONE IN THE HOSPITAL?
Nope, no, definitely not.
Ok, that might be a bit harsh. Here’s the deal, in the hospital no one is comfortable.
You’ve just been through a trauma, either through vaginal delivery or a c-section. And they frankly have just entered this bright and very noisy world where they are expected to eat and all sorts of other crazy new things.
From a technical perspective, hospital lighting is very harsh and not designed to make baby and mama look their best. You’re bloated and trying to figure out how to feed your baby.
And a nurse is waking you (or both of you) up every two hours. Now does that sound like a recipe for amazing images that you want to cherish forever. Nope, take your time at the hospital to meet and simply be with the new love of your life.
CAN ANY PHOTOGRAPHER TAKE NEWBORN PHOTOS?
Great question. The answer typically is no, you're wedding, or family photographer should not take your newborn photos. Your newborn is literally the most precious thing in this world and ever so fragile.
Do you hand your newborn to simply anyone to hold (ok, if it’s your fourth child, maybe)? But all kidding aside, it takes years of training and practice to know how to safely handle and pose a baby.
It is not something every photographer is trained to know how to do. Think of it like this, you baked a cake for your BFFs birthday, can you now run a world-renowned bakery? Of course not, but you do deserve a cupcake because you just literally grew a human.
Now if your wedding photographer is a total unicorn and does event-based photography like weddings and newborns, check out their credentials and training and if they’re experts go for it!
WHAT ARE GOOD NEWBORN PHOTO POSES?
Every newborn is different. You’ve heard it a million times every pregnancy is different and if you’ve had more than one you totally understand what that means.
An expert in newborn photography will work with the baby, NEVER forcing a pose.
The baby will naturally want to move a specific way. An expert understands that and will safely pose a newborn in a way that’s natural to them.
IS IT EASIER TO TAKE NEWBORN PHOTOS AT HOME OR AT A PHOTO STUDIO?
We get this question a lot because expecting moms always think it will be so much easier to just have it done at their home.
But if you’ve ever been with a mom who’s literally only home from the hospital for a few days you’d know. Home will look like a war zone.
Things will literally be everywhere. So, the thought of having to clean your home is honestly bananas to us.
HERE’S WHY NEWBORN PHOTOS SHOULD ALWAYS BE DONE IN A STUDIO?
Here are some additional important factors that an in-studio session provides.
The studio’s light is controlled to make you (and your newborn, of course) look amazing.
All exterior distractions are gone.
You aren’t thinking about the laundry, the dishes, who just called, the dog barking, or what Amazon just dropped off.
With a studio session, all you have to do is get yourself dressed, no small feat, and get to the studio. Then there is an expert newborn photographer that takes care of everything else!
Oftentimes, at home and lifestyle newborns are synonymous. What this means is that the photographer won’t pose the baby. You will hold the baby the entire time.
So, if that’s your jam, this might be a good fit for you. Just remember, you have to clean and have super cool décor to pull this off.
WHAT ARE THE BEST OUTFITS FOR NEW MOMS TO WEAR TO THEIR NEWBORN PHOTO SHOOT?
Your body just grew a human and most of us don’t bounce back in a day. So, don’t try.
Honestly, don’t try to get back into your pre-maternity jeans. Just don’t. Wear your maternity jeans, they will look amazing because you will simply be glowing.
Don’t wear black, it isn’t slimming. Did I just totally blow your mind?
It’s true, unless you have a lot of very black hair, don’t wear black it will look harsh. Wear thick fabrics with structure and think about lots of texture. We also recommend soft neutral colors; it lets your baby be the star.
HOW LONG SHOULD A NEWBORN PHOTOSHOOT TAKE?
Simple answer around 2 hours.
THE FIRST HOUR SHOULD BE FOR THE FAMILY.
This is when older siblings should be invited and we all know what happens when a toddler is involved, in literally anything.
So, when the energy is high, the newborn is in your (or your partner’s) arms which means they are snuggled in and very content to go back to sleep no matter how loud the toddler is! This gives big brother or big sister lots of time to be them. Then they are invited to leave, do you like how I phrased that? But in all seriousness, toddlers have been through it too. All of a sudden, they are expected to share mom and or dad with this new person. And the schedule is all off. And all the things. Asking them to hang out for a 2-hour session is really asking too much!
THE SECOND HOUR SHOULD BE IMAGES OF JUST YOUR BABY
This is when the energy is low and it’s nice and calm.
They’ll be sleepy and sleep most of the session. When working with a professional newborn photographer they will have a specific workflow. This allows them to wrap the baby nice and tight, which reminds the baby of being in the womb. Then they’ll slowly unwrap the baby for additional poses. This ensures the experience isn’t jarring for the newborn.
Think of it like this; do you like to be woken up to someone ripping the covers off of you, multiple outfits changing? Um, no. Neither does a newborn!
SHOULD I RESCHEDULE MY NEWBORN PHOTO SHOOT IF MY BABY IS FUSSY?
Don’t put off your newborn photos because your baby is fussy!
I am trained professional and will know the best ways to sooth a cranky baby.
I am also trained in newborn massage which can help with relaxing your newborn baby.
99% of the time if the baby is well-fed, warm, and swaddled they feel comfortable so there is nothing to worry about! We will capture amazing images for you.
FINAL THOUGHTS
There is so much to think about when you are expecting a newborn.
Everyone has an opinion (and oh so willing to share)! Choosing how you are going to remember them is a really big decision. So, let me boil it down – choose photographer that you love their portfolio, don’t just go for price shopping and have hopes that they can achieve something you have found on Pinterest!
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