This is my most asked question, and it’s very easy to answer: the best time for a newborn photo session is whenever you, your baby, and your little family are ready.
I have no hard and fast rules about your baby needing to be under three weeks old, nor do I insist on that "magical" 3-to-14-day window often talked about by newborn photographers. In fact, I photograph plenty of babies who are closer to three months old.
At 12 weeks, babies can still be wonderfully sleepy and curly. And if they’re awake? That’s fantastic too! An older baby who is awake, alert, and settled is an absolute dream to capture and look back on.
If your baby is slightly older than you had originally planned, please don’t worry. When researching photographers, you’ve likely come across advice warning you not to "miss out" or claiming a baby can become "too old" for photos. Some photographers will even refuse to book babies past a certain age.
I don't share that mindset. To me, any babe in arms is still a precious little baby. "Newborn," "just born," "tiny baby," "older baby"—I don’t get hung up on labels or strict timescales. I am here to create heartwarming, timeless photographs whatever age your baby is when you bring them into my studio.
You Don't Know How You'll Feel Until Your Baby Is Here
It is also completely fine to change your mind about when you want to have those first professional photos taken. You simply won’t know how you are going to feel after the birth until you are actually living it. Even if you’ve had a baby before, you might not necessarily feel the same this time around.
Speaking as a mother of four, each of my postpartum experiences was entirely different:
With my first daughter, I was in the postnatal ward for five days, focused entirely on trying to establish breastfeeding.
With my second girl, I was home the next day—and a photoshoot couldn’t have been further from my mind as I suddenly had two babies under 12 months!
When my third daughter arrived, I was up and about after three days, happily managing three little ones. I vividly remember collecting leaves to make sticky pictures with the older girls just a few days in; I could have taken a newborn photoshoot in my stride (if only such a thing had existed back then!).
By my fourth baby, a little boy, I am quite sure I would have waited a few weeks before heading to a photographer.
Every journey into motherhood is unique, and your recovery, routine, and energy levels will guide when the time is right.
How to Plan Ahead (Without the Stress)
I always advise pregnant mums to book their session for approximately 2 to 3 weeks after your due date.
It’s always lovely to have both parents present, so remember to factor in your partner’s paternity or parental leave allowance when choosing a date so you can both be there to enjoy the experience together.
Of course, life happens! If circumstances change—perhaps you or baby need a little extra recovery time, or you are simply exhausted and prefer to wait a few weeks—I can easily reschedule your session. When you are already on my books, you get priority scheduling no matter what.
On the flip side, maybe you find yourself full of adrenaline, happiness, and postpartum hormones and want to get to my studio as fast as humanly possible! That is completely fine too. I will always try my absolute best to find an earlier session date that suits you.
Ready to Reserve Your Spot?
You can make your booking anytime after your 20-week scan, use the booking button below to book.
If you'd like to chat or have any questions at all, please feel free to get in touch. I’d love to welcome your new arrival to the studio whenever you're ready.
