Welcoming a new baby into the world is a magical experience, and capturing those fleeting first moments through newborn photography is something you’ll cherish forever. However, one of the most common questions parents ask is when is the best time to take newborn pictures?
As a professional newborn photographer, I’ve had the joy of photographing countless babies at different stages, and I can tell you—timing makes a difference! While there’s no wrong time to capture your little one, certain ages bring different types of images and experiences. Let’s dive into the best timeframes for newborn photos and what you can expect at each stage.
The Ideal Time: 6 to 14 Days Old
The first two weeks after birth are widely considered the golden window for newborn photography, typically between days 6 and 14. Here’s why:
Sleepy and Curled Up Poses
During this time, newborns are still very sleepy and flexible, making it easier to gently pose them in those beautiful, womb-like positions. Their muscles haven’t fully stretched out yet, so they naturally curl up, which makes for those classic, cozy newborn shots.
Smooth, Soft Skin
Newborns at this stage usually have clearer skin, as baby acne and peeling often appear later. Therefore, their delicate, soft features are perfect for close-up portraits.
Less Startle Reflex
Babies in their first two weeks have a stronger sleep cycle and a less active Moro reflex (startle reflex), meaning they won’t flinch or move as much when being gently posed.
Easier Transitions
During a session, I often gently move and pose the baby while they sleep. In the first two weeks, they tend to settle back into sleep more quickly, making transitions between poses smoother.
Best for: Classic posed newborn photography, and soft, dreamy images.
Weeks 3-4: A More Awake Baby
If you’ve missed the 5–14-day window, don’t worry! Weeks 3-4 still offer great opportunities for newborn photos, just with slightly different expectations.
More Open-Eyed Shots
Around three weeks, babies start becoming more alert and opening their eyes more frequently. If you’d love some beautiful awake shots with eye contact, this is a great time.
Slightly Less Curled Poses
By this stage, your baby will start stretching out more, so the super curled-up poses may not be as easy to achieve. However, we can still capture gorgeous swaddled shots, natural poses, and candid family moments.
Baby Acne & Peeling May Appear
Some babies develop baby acne or skin peeling around this time. Don’t worry—this is completely normal! As a photographer, I use soft lighting and gentle retouching to ensure your baby’s skin looks natural and beautiful.
Best for: More interactive images with eye contact, swaddled shots, and natural newborn moments.
1-2 Months Old: More Expression & Connection
While traditional newborn photography is typically done within the first month, some parents prefer to wait until their baby is 4-8 weeks old. This timeframe brings a different, yet equally beautiful, experience.
More Smiles & Expressions
By 4-6 weeks, babies start showing tiny smiles, adorable expressions, and little personality quirks. These make for heartwarming images!
Stronger Connection with Parents
At this stage, your baby is more aware of their surroundings, meaning we can capture precious interactions between parents, siblings, and the baby.
Limited Posed Shots
While older newborns can still be gently swaddled, their flexibility is different from a 10-day-old, so posed newborn shots may be trickier. Instead, I focus on capturing natural moments, snuggles, and candid family connections.
This is best for: Lifestyle newborn photography, awake moments, expressions, and family-focused images.
3-6 Months: A New Milestone
Although not traditionally considered newborn photography, many parents opt for a 3-6 month milestone session instead of early newborn pictures. Here’s what makes this stage special:
Big Smiles & Personality
At three months, babies begin smiling more intentionally, making for the sweetest, joyful images.
Tummy Time & Gentle Sitting Poses
By four to six months, babies start lifting their heads during tummy time and may even begin sitting with support—this adds a beautiful variety of poses!
Stronger Bonding Moments
At this age, babies start responding more to parents, making for gorgeous interaction shots full of connection and love.
Best for: Joyful expressions, tummy time, family snuggles, and natural lifestyle portraits.
Choosing the Right Time for Your Family
There’s no wrong time to take newborn pictures—it all depends on what kind of memories you’d like to capture.
If you love…
Classic, curled-up newborn poses? Schedule your session within the first 5-14 days.
Awake moments and expressions? Consider 3-4 weeks old.
Big smiles, connection, and interaction? Try 6 weeks to 3 months.
Baby milestones and tummy time? Wait for 3-6 months.
No matter when you choose to do your newborn pictures, these images will become treasured keepsakes of your baby’s earliest days.
When to book your newborn session?
To ensure availability, it’s best to book your newborn pictures during your second or third trimester. Since babies arrive on their own schedule, I pencil in your due date and adjust as needed once your little one arrives.
Final Tips for a Smooth Newborn Session
Book Early: Many newborn photographers (myself included!) book months in advance. Ideally, it’s best to schedule your session before your baby arrives to secure a spot.
Stay Flexible: Babies arrive on their own schedule! Regardless of whether your little one comes early or late, I adjust my calendar to fit your new timeline.
Relax & Enjoy: The best newborn photos come from a stress-free, cozy environment. I create a calm, baby-led session where your little one’s comfort is the top priority.
Ready to Book Your Newborn Session?
Whether you’re expecting or have recently welcomed your baby, I’d love to help you capture these precious moments! Contact me today to secure your newborn session and let’s create memories you’ll cherish forever.
Contact me here to book your session!
about helena goessens photography
Helena Goessens is a maternity, newborn, and family photographer based in Dedham, MA. She loves to work with families and little ones in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. She lives for creativity, and she loves to capture the genuine connections between family members and for her kid-friendly photography style. Helena Goessens offers sessions in the comfort of clients’ homes, outdoors, and on location for those special occasions. If you are looking for a family portrait photographer for your next family session, then be sure to browse through her family portfolio and inquire about her availability. Contact her at info@helenagoessens.com or call her at 617-584-9891. For more of her work, visit her website at helenagoessens.com.
