When is the best time to take newborn photos?  Well, as a photographer, I would answer within the first two weeks.  Why?  Newborns under two weeks old tend to be very sleepy and easy-going.  If they are fed and warm, babies don’t mind that they are not being held during the photo session.  They also don’t mind being held by siblings.  As newborns get older, they start to mind these things!  They want to be held at all times- and preferably by an adult, thankyouverymuch.  Another reason that babies are best photographed within the first two weeks is they look more like newborns.  They curl up with their legs tucked under and their tiny little hands like to be up by their face.  As newborns get older, they stretch out and don’t like being confined so much.

But, sometimes, for whatever the reason, newborns can’t be photographed within the first 2 weeks.  And that’s totally okay.  Of course newborns can be photographed at 4 weeks, 6 weeks even 8 weeks.  I might have to work a little harder to get the baby to sleep, or into a curled up pose, but oh-is-it-worth-it.  Older newborns have filled out a little more, so they have chubbier cheeks and baby rolls.  Adorable!

This sweet little newborn is the daughter of a client and friend.  She was 4 weeks old at the time.  For other ‘older’ newborns, see Baby Michael’s newborn photos at the end of this post.  Also Baby Coco’s newborn photos with her big sister.