The first days of a newborn’s life pass quickly, and timing plays a key role in capturing those fleeting details.
From sleepy expressions and delicate skin tones to gentle poses and wrapping, your baby’s age directly affects the look and feel of newborn photography. Knowing when to do newborn photos helps parents plan a session that feels calm, safe, and timeless.
Based in Baltimore, Maryland, professional newborn photographer Ana Koska has spent over a decade photographing babies in a studio environment designed for comfort, safety, and beautifully posed newborn portraits.
Based on her experience, this guide explains the best timing and what parents can expect from a newborn photography session.
Key Takeaways:
- The best time for newborn photos is typically within the first 5–20 days after birth, when babies are sleepier and easier to gently pose.
- Timing affects the style of newborn photography, from softly posed studio portraits to more awake and expressive images as babies grow.
- Planning ahead with an experienced studio photographer like Ana Koska helps families create a calm, safe session that captures their baby’s earliest and most delicate stage.
When Should You Take Newborn Photos?
Most professional newborn photographers recommend taking newborn photos within the first 5 to 20 days after birth.
During this short window, babies are typically sleepier, more flexible, and easier to gently pose. This timing allows photographers to capture curled, timeless newborn images while keeping the session calm, safe, and comfortable for the baby.
Choosing the right time also helps parents plan ahead and ensures the studio environment is fully prepared for their newborn’s needs. Parents who want to feel confident and relaxed on the day of the session often find it helpful to review a Newborn Photo Session Preparation Guide for Parents ahead of time.
How Soon After Birth Can You Do Newborn Photos?
Newborn photos can usually be taken as early as 7 days after birth, once babies have had time to adjust to feeding routines, recovery, and their new environment.
During the first weeks of life, newborns naturally spend much of the day sleeping, a normal developmental pattern noted by pediatric health experts such as the American Academy of Pediatrics [1].
This early sleepiness makes it easier to soothe, gently pose, and wrap babies during a studio newborn photography session.
For parents who wish to capture the very first days after birth, Newborn Hospital Photography Ideas may be an option before scheduling a studio session.
While age and timing provide a general guideline, every newborn and family situation is different.
How to Decide the Best Time for Newborn Photography
Choosing the best time for newborn photography goes beyond age alone.
Factors like your baby’s sleep patterns, posing flexibility, and the type of session you prefer all play an important role. Understanding these elements helps parents plan a newborn photography session that feels relaxed, safe, and aligned with the style they want to capture.
Should Your Newborn Be Sleeping or Awake in Photos?
Sleepy newborns are easier to soothe, gently pose, and wrap, which is why the earliest days are ideal for classic newborn photography.
During deep sleep, babies naturally curl into comfortable positions that highlight delicate features. Awake newborn photos tend to be more candid but allow for less structured posing.
Posed Newborn Photography vs Lifestyle Sessions
Posed newborn photography is typically done in a professional studio and is best scheduled within the first two weeks after birth. A controlled studio environment allows for gentle posing, wrapping, consistent lighting, and a calm setting focused entirely on the baby. Lifestyle sessions are more candid but offer less control and fewer posed newborn images.
Therefore, posed newborn sessions focus on styled setups, while lifestyle sessions capture moments at home.
For parents seeking a calm, guided studio experience, Ana Koska, a Baltimore-based newborn photographer, brings over a decade of experience in professional newborn photography focused on safe, gentle posing.
Capturing Your Baby at Their Tiniest Stage
Photographing your baby in the earliest days captures details that change within weeks.
The first days after birth are the only time your baby will appear this small and curled. Early newborn sessions capture delicate details such as tiny fingers, soft skin tones, and natural newborn features that change quickly as babies grow and develop in the following weeks.
Newborn Photos for Premature Babies
For babies born prematurely, newborn photos are often scheduled later than the typical newborn window (like with Mia and Collete). Waiting a few extra weeks allows babies to gain weight, settle into feeding routines, and feel more comfortable during a session, which is why some premature newborns are photographed around 4–6 weeks or later. Timing is always adjusted to the baby’s development rather than the calendar.
Family Timing, Recovery, and Scheduling Considerations
Choosing the right time for newborn photos also depends on parent recovery, feeding routines, and overall readiness. Scheduling within the first two weeks allows families to plan ahead while ensuring the session feels calm, unhurried, and comfortable for both baby and parents.
Because this timing is so personal and fleeting, a thoughtfully planned newborn session is often considered one of the most meaningful gifts for new parents.
To better understand how timing affects the look and feel of newborn photos, it helps to see how sessions differ at various ages.
Newborn Photos at Different Newborn Ages Examples
While general timing guidelines are helpful, seeing how newborn photos look at different ages often makes the decision much easier. The examples below show how a baby’s age influences sleepiness, posing, and the overall feel of a newborn photography session.
Newborn Photos Taken at 5 – 10 Days Old
At this age, newborns are usually very sleepy and naturally curled, which allows for gentle posing and secure wrapping. This stage is ideal for classic, posed newborn portraits.
Newborn Photos Done at 10 – 14 Days
Newborns in this window still sleep deeply but may begin to stretch out slightly more. Posing remains comfortable and safe, while facial features become more defined. This age offers a balance between flexibility and subtle personality emerging in photos.
Newborn Photos Taken at 2 – 3 Weeks Old
By two to three weeks, babies are often more alert and less tightly curled. Sessions at this stage typically include simpler poses and more wrapped setups, with a mix of sleeping and awake images.
Expressions become more noticeable, adding variety to the final gallery, making it the best period for newborn photoshoot.
Newborn Photos Done at 4 – 6 Weeks Old
At this stage, babies spend more time awake and are less flexible for traditional newborn posing. Images focus more on eye contact, expressions, and natural moments rather than curled poses. The result is a more candid and expressive newborn photography style.
These images come from real newborn sessions photographed by Ana Koska in her Baltimore studio, where she has spent over a decade creating calm, safely posed newborn photography.
FAQ – When to Do Newborn Photoshoot
What Is the Ideal Age Range for Capturing Newborn Photos Before the Baby Starts Moving?
The ideal age for newborn photos is between 5 and 20 days after birth, before babies become more alert and less flexible.
Is It Too Late to Do Newborn Photos After Three Weeks?
It is not too late, but sessions after three weeks typically focus on simpler poses and more awake or wrapped images rather than classic newborn posing.
When Should You Book a Newborn Photographer During Pregnancy?
Most parents book a newborn photographer during the second or third trimester to ensure availability around their due date.
Are Studio Newborn Photo Sessions Safe for Very Young Babies?
Yes, studio newborn sessions are safe when led by an experienced photographer who uses gentle posing, proper support, and a calm, temperature-controlled environment.
Getting the Timing Right for Newborn Photos with Ana Koska in Maryland
Choosing the right time for newborn photos helps create a calm, safe, and beautifully paced session that reflects your baby’s earliest days.
With thoughtful planning and an experienced studio photographer, parents can focus on the moment while every detail is carefully prepared.
Ana Koska, a professional newborn photographer based in Baltimore, Maryland, specializes in studio newborn photography designed around this important early window, where timing, comfort, and gentle posing come together to create timeless portraits.
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