The first few weeks with your newborn fly by, and with them the ideal time window for a newborn shoot. Find out here when the perfect time for your shoot is and what alternatives there are if you have missed the ideal time slot
A newborn shoot is a wonderful opportunity to capture the first precious moments with your baby. The tiny details, the peaceful face while sleeping and the first family moments deserve to be captured professionally.
Many expectant mothers wonder when the right time for a newborn shoot is during pregnancy. If you are interested in a newborn shoot, you should plan it in good time, as the first few days after the birth fundamentally change your daily routines and the ideal time for a newborn shoot passes relatively quickly.
In this article, I would like to give you a few tips on the right timing for your newborn shoot and answer the following questions: When should we do a newborn shoot? When should we book our newborn photographer? What else do we need to consider when planning the newborn shoot?
Here you will find a brief summary of the main content of the article:
- Optimal time: The ideal time window for a newborn shoot is between the 4th and 14th day after birth. During this time, babies are still very sleepy and can easily be placed in typical newborn poses. The first 3-4 days after the birth you should give yourselves time to get used to the new family situation. After 14 days, the first growth spurt begins, so that the baby outgrows the newborn period.
- Missed window of opportunity: Even after the first 14 days, beautiful baby photos are created with alert, curious looks instead of sleeping poses. From the 3rd-4th week of life, babies become more attentive and show their first social interactions, which opens up other photographic possibilities.
- Early booking: Plan and book your newborn shoot from the last trimester (25th week of pregnancy) at the latest to reserve your shoot and be able to stay relaxed after the birth. The shoot date is usually only finalized after the birth.
- Practical planning: Most parents prefer home story shoots in familiar surroundings. Babies are usually more relaxed in the morning than in the afternoon. A shoot takes 2-4 hours and requires some patience for breaks for breastfeeding and changing.
- Executive Summary: The ideal time for a newborn shoot is usually between the 4th and 14th day after birth
- The best time for a newborn shoot
- Are you interested in a newborn shoot with me?
- What do I do if I miss the newborn shoot in the first 14 days?
- What will your baby learn in the first year of life?
- When should I book the newborn shoot?
- What else should I look out for when planning a newborn shoot?
- Frequently asked questions about the right time for a newborn photo shoot
- Take a look at my offer for newborn shootings!
- Use my contributions for your newborn shoot
Is there an ideal time for a newborn shoot?
My honest answer to the question of the ideal time for a newborn shoot is that there is no perfect time that is the same for all families. After the birth of your baby, you need some time to get used to the new family situation and your baby’s needs. As every pregnancy and birth is different and newborns develop individually, there are differences in circumstances. You may have had a caesarean section, you may have been discharged from hospital a little later, you may be struggling with breastfeeding problems or you may simply need a few more days to settle in as a family.
Nevertheless, there is a well-suited time window that has proven itself in practice and in which most babies still show their typical newborn behavior. I will explain the advantages of this time window in the following sections.
When should we do a newborn shoot?
I always recommend my clients to have their newborn shoot between 4 and 14 days after the birth of their baby.
During this time, newborns are usually very sleepy and can easily be placed in typical newborn poses, which contribute wonderfully to the magic of newborn photos. Their limbs are still curved, which is reminiscent of the safe time in the womb and gives you magical and emotional newborn pictures.
But here too, the newborns develop and behave individually. Some babies are already very awake at around 8 days old, while others are still fast asleep at the age of 4 weeks. However, it is more likely that your newborn will do well in the newborn shoot if it is photographed in the first 14 days.
After the birth, it is advisable to wait a few days before the shoot so that you can settle into the new family constellation and recover from the birth. You may spend the first few days in hospital or you may need a day or two at home to settle in and find your new rhythm. This results in an ideal time window for the typical newborn photos between the 4th and 14th day.
Why should we do a newborn shoot between the fourth and fourteenth day?
My recommendation for the ideal time period for your newborn shoot is not only based on my experience as a newborn photographer, but also has practical backgrounds that significantly influence the results of your shoot:
- Authentic newborn look: Your baby will change rapidly in the first few days after birth. It grows and develops rapidly from a fresh newborn to a small baby and its proportions change quickly. In the first two weeks, newborns still have this tiny, innocent look that reminds you of the birth and is very suitable for beautiful newborn photos of the first special moments.
- High sleep readiness: In the first two weeks, newborns usually sleep a lot, 16-20 hours a day, and very deeply. Unlike older babies, they are hardly disturbed by ambient noises, movements or changes of position. This makes the newborn shoot easy to plan and rather calm and relaxed. Taking photos in the typical newborn poses is easier at this age than with older babies.
- Typical newborn poses: In the first few weeks after birth, the baby’s muscles are not yet developed enough to work against the poses they were used to in the womb. Babies are still used to the tight confines of their mother’s womb and instinctively curl up and assume the naturally snuggled positions known as characteristic newborn poses almost by themselves. They are still very flexible, which makes positioning in newborn poses easier and allows these heart-warming newborn poses to be easily captured in particularly cute newborn photos.
- Clear newborn skin: In the first few days, the skin of newborns is usually still clear, soft and even. After the first two weeks, baby acne or other skin blemishes, which are completely normal, can appear and make the processing of newborn pictures much more complex.
- Family time together: In the first two weeks after the birth, the family is usually still together during baby time. The father is often still on vacation or parental leave, so that there is a nice time window for your
newborn shoot together. After the first few weeks, the first appointments usually follow and everyday life slowly returns to you.
Life with a baby is dynamic, and so things sometimes turn out differently than planned. Complications at birth, longer hospital stays, breastfeeding problems or simply the overwhelming emotions can mean that the ideal time window for newborn photography passes. The good news for you: Beautiful baby photos are possible even after the first 14 days!
Newborn shootings with babies older than 14 days
In the third and fourth week of life, babies usually go through their first growth spurt. They become noticeably more alert, more attentive and more aware of their surroundings. Many are already able to hold their heads for brief moments and show the first tentative signs of social interaction.
What does this mean for your shoot? The classic, deeply curled newborn poses become much more difficult to realize as babies sleep less deeply and resist unfamiliar positions. You can also take magical pictures of older babies. The result is beautiful shots with half-open or awake eyes, first facial expressions and authentic reactions to voices and touch.
- Timing is crucial: plan the shoot directly after a meal, when the baby is full and satisfied
- Shorter session phases: Expect more frequent breaks for feeding, changing and soothing
- Fewer poses, more naturalness: focus on relaxed positions that the baby adopts themselves
- Pay attention to the time of day: Most babies are more balanced in the morning than in the afternoon
As soon as you have made the decision for your shoot, you should contact your newborn photographer as soon as possible. If you are interested in a newborn shoot with me, I will be happy to see if I can fit you in.
Whether you do the newborn shoot immediately or wait until the baby is three months old, for example, should depend on the development of the skin (baby acne) and your expectations. You can find more information on baby shoots for older babies in the following section.
Baby shoots in the first year of life
The first year of your baby’s life is full of fascinating developmental leaps, all of which have their own photographic charms. While the typical newborn period is limited, every month thereafter offers new opportunities for unforgettable souvenir photos.
The most important photo milestones at a glance:
- 1 month: Baby becomes more alert, first conscious glances and reactions to voices
- 3 months: First conscious smile and discovery of own hands and feet
- 6 months: Sitting independently and expressive facial expressions when exploring
- 9 months: Crawling, first attempts to stand with help and active exploration of the environment
- 12 months: First steps of her own and the popular Cake Smash for her first birthday
Choose and book your newborn photographer early on
I recommend that you take care of the newborn shoot during your pregnancy and book an appointment with your newborn photographer in good time. Experience has shown that you should look for your newborn photographer in the last trimester of pregnancy at the latest, from the 25th week of pregnancy.
A specialized newborn photographer can be booked out quickly if you book late. The earlier you book, the more relaxed you can go into the last weeks of pregnancy. You should pay attention to this when choosing your newborn photographer:
- Portfolio with authentic newborn pictures that you like the style of
- Specialized and experienced in dealing with newborns and newborn photography
- Sympathy and trust in the preliminary meeting
- Flexibility in scheduling
After the birth, you are busy with completely different priorities: Learning to breastfeed, coping with lack of sleep, welcoming visitors and finding yourselves as a family. Once the newborn arrives, you’ll be thankful that you took care of a newborn photographer beforehand.
Premature or delayed birth: how flexible scheduling works in newborn photography
Since you can’t plan your delivery date and other circumstances in advance when booking the shoot, specialized newborn photographers often offer flexible scheduling. This is how it works with me:
- Reservation: You reserve a newborn shoot in consultation with me after the expected date of birth
- Birth notification: As soon as possible after the birth, within 24-48 hours after the birth, you inform me via WhatsApp
- Coordination of dates: Together we set a final shooting date
- Flexibility: In the event of premature/delayed births, the date will be adjusted accordingly
In the event of a premature or delayed birth, we will adjust the date accordingly. I only accept a limited number of newborn shootings in a certain period of time in order to be flexible enough to offer you a shooting date in the first few weeks.
Even if you haven’t booked a newborn shoot before the birth, you should get in touch. I will gladly try to fulfill your wish and fit you in at short notice!
In addition to the right timing, other factors play a role in your newborn shoot. These considerations will help you make the best decision for your individual situation.
- Home story, outdoor or in the studio: Most new parents prefer home story shoots, as the baby and they are more relaxed in familiar surroundings in the first few days after the birth and all the necessary utensils are to hand. Transporting your baby is usually not yet so routine for new parents, so they opt for a newborn shoot at home.
- Find the right photographer: Look for experience in newborn photography, not just general baby photography. Take a close look at the portfolio: Do you like the style? Patience in dealing with newborns and the willingness to take breaks for feeding and changing are also very important.
- Photographic style and poses: Decide in advance whether you want classic newborn poses, natural lifestyle shots or a mixture of both. Discuss with the photographer which accessories and outfits you would like to bring along and what you would like to contribute yourself.
- Choose the best time of day: It’s best to plan your shoot for the morning. Experience has shown that most babies are more rested and relaxed in the morning than in the afternoon. Take your baby’s individual rhythm into account and, if possible, plan the shoot directly after a meal, when the baby is full and satisfied.
- Include siblings and pets: Plan more time for newborn shoots with siblings and choose a time when the older children are also rested. With pets, you should clarify in advance how they will react to strangers and allow for a settling-in period if necessary.
- Practical preparation: Make sure the room temperature is warm, as newborns cool down quickly. Have diapers, wipes and other necessary utensils ready. Do not schedule any other appointments for the day of the shoot to allow everyone involved to rest and relax.
You can find more information about planning a newborn shoot on the page“All information about the newborn shoot“. You can find a detailed checklist for preparing the newborn shoot on the“Newborn shoot checklist” page.
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