Monmouth county new jersey newborn and family photography

You commonly hear photographers recommend the best time to photograph your newborn is within the first ten days to two weeks. While I generally recommend this to my clients, it is not necessary for all families. For photographers who do posed newborn photography, it is more important as many poses require the baby to be moldable and ideally sleeping, which is easier to attain when the baby is fresh out of the womb and still curly and sleepy. However, with lifestyle photography, the focus is not on posing the baby rather on how the baby integrates with the family and the home. 

3 Reasons why I recommend within the first two weeks

1. To Really Capture the Newness

   To really capture the newborn phase and capitalize on all their squishiness, those first two weeks are ideal. At around three weeks, they start to stretch out and become more alert.

2. Smoother Skin

   Around three weeks newborns can start to develop newborn acne. I do minor skin touch ups, but if the acne is severe, it can take more extensive editing.

3. More Sleepy

   A sleeping baby is a happy baby. When newborns become more awake, they can become more fussy. Around the two week mark is when babies develop what’s referred to as PURPLE crying or colic. While this typically occurs in the evening hours, it can be at any point of the day. Having a screaming baby while trying to capture them on camera can be quite stressful for parents.

3 Reasons why you may need to wait

1. Baby arrived early

   Babies come in their own time and sometimes they need to be admitted to the NICU or maybe they were born early and healthy, but you do not feel comfortable having anyone come into your home yet.

2. The birth was traumatic

   Whether you had a traumatic experience that resulted in extra care for you, baby or both OR if your experience left you feeling traumatized mentally and emotionally, then by all means wait. Birthing a human is a highly sensitive time and if you’re just not ready to have someone in your space, your physical and mental health are more important.

3. Feeding is not going well/baby has any health issues

   Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle feeding or both, if the baby is having any feeding issues and you’re overwhelmed, then wait. The same goes for any health complications. 

3 Benefits of waiting

1. Baby is more alert. 

   I know I said this is a reason to have the baby photographed earlier on, but it can also be an amazing and special time to capture as well. If the baby is awake and content, we can capture those alert, bright eyed moments more readily than if they are younger and sleepier.

2. You’re more adjusted.

   Those first two weeks are hard. Like really hard. It may take you a few extra weeks to feel better adjusted so that you’re more ready to have your photograph taken. You may feel more settled and have a stronger bond with your baby.

3. Smiles!

   Babies start to smile around 6 weeks of age.

So even if you missed out on those first two weeks, you can still get amazing pictures of your sweet new baby. The beauty of lifestyle photography is you can schedule a session at any point. I hope this has been helpful!

If you want to know why I do lifestyle photography check out this blog post