Los Gatos Newborn Photographer Cindy Tucey discusses the best times for scheduling an in-home lifestyle newborn photo session.
Welcoming a newborn baby into your home is an extraordinary milestone filled with joy, tiny fingers, and tiny toes, which many parents want to memorialize with a professional in-home lifestyle newborn photo session. New parents often ask me about the ideal timing for scheduling their in-home lifestyle newborn sessions. When is the best time to schedule this photoshoot to capture the best images of your new baby and this milestone moment?
As a professional photographer, I recommend that clients schedule their in-home newborn photography session for any time during the first two to three months after their baby is born. I don't subscribe to the common myth that newborn photos need to be taken within the first 14 days after birth, as you can do in-home lifestyle newborn photos for up to three months after the baby is born. However, I recommend having the newborn photo session within the first two months, if possible, as babies grow quickly and he/she may be quite big by three months. Whether parents decide to do the session earlier or later in the first few months depends on multiple factors, which I will discuss below.
Earlier Newborn Sessions: 1 to 2 weeks
An earlier newborn photography session, in the first 1-2 weeks after the baby is born allows the photographer to capture the adorable newness and freshness of the tiny new baby. The baby is so tiny and little during this period, and often tends to sleep more. This wonderfully sleepy phase allows for more curled-up poses. However, the parents are usually still tired (maybe exhausted is the better word here!) and so some parents might prefer to wait a few more weeks until they have healed and are feeling more rested. However, if you're up for a newborn photoshoot during this time, go for it! After all, one of the best parts of an in-home lifestyle photo session is the photographer comes to your home. (See my previous blog post for more on the benefits of an in-home lifestyle session: https://www.cindytuceyphotography.com/blog/benefits-of-an-in-home-lifestyle-newborn-photo-session/).
Later Newborn Sessions: 6 to 8 weeks+
For later newborn photography sessions, say in the 6-8 weeks after the baby is born, obviously the baby will be a lot bigger. However, this also offers advantages. The baby is more awake and alert as he/she gets older, so the photographer can capture photos of the baby looking at the camera, and we may be lucky enough to capture a smile or other fun expressions, as the baby is becoming more expressive. The baby also has better neck control at this point, such that capturing photos of the dad holding the baby facing forward and kissing the top of the baby's head becomes easier (you can still do this pose earlier, but the dad must then be more careful to hold the baby's head steady).
The Sweet Spot for Newborn Sessions (in my professional opinion): 3-6 weeks
As a lifestyle newborn photographer, I love photographing newborns at all stages, and there are advantages to each timeframe. Depending on the types of photos the new parents are seeking, any time can work well. My recommendation is something in-between when the baby is first born and two months old: around 3-6 weeks old is ideal in my opinion. I love the expressions that slightly older newborns start to make and how curious they are about me and my camera, which makes for great portraits of them looking. Yet, at this stage they still sleep a lot, such that I am typically able to capture photos of them both sleeping and awake, which allows for a larger and more diverse gallery of images for the family. In every session, I aim to capture images of the parents interacting with their new baby in a variety of poses (that I suggest), along with portraits of the baby both sleeping and awake, and any other images the parents request. Plus, by this stage, many parents welcome having a friendly photographer in their home, as many of the visitors that came when baby was first born have stopped coming, so a new friendly face can be a welcome diversion for both parents and baby.
Planning Ahead for In-Home Lifestyle Newborn Photos
It’s ideal to book your newborn photographer while you’re still pregnant, if possible, in order to get on their schedule in advance. This way, you can discuss the best timing and plan around your due date. Your photographer will be glad to work with you and be flexible since baby may come earlier or later than expected.
One of the joys of lifestyle photography is its relaxed, natural feel, which aims to capture special moments in your home environment. Some clients are worried that their home is not Pinterest worthy, but I reassure my clients that all I need is one good window to capture beautiful lifestyle newborn images in their home. (See my previous blog post on this: https://www.cindytuceyphotography.com/blog/one-good-window-is-all-thats-needed-for-a-lifestyle-newborn-photoshoot/).
Conclusion
I have photographed newborn babies at a range of ages, from a few days old up to 3 months old, and the families have loved their galleries no matter the age, so whenever you choose to do your in-home newborn lifestyle photography session will be a great time. Every stage of your baby’s early life is special and worth documenting so don't hesitate to reach out to a photographer for newborn photos in the first few months, even if the early weeks have already passed.
Do you live in the South Bay Area, such as Los Gatos, Saratoga, Campbell, Cupertino, San Jose, Morgan Hill or the North Lake Tahoe Area, such as Truckee, California? Are you ready to capture the magic of your newborn's first days? Contact Los Gatos Newborn Photographer Cindy Tucey Photography to schedule your in-home lifestyle newborn photography session today.
