One of the most common questions we get here at Sandra Coan Photography is this: What is the best age for newborn portraits?

Within the first 10 days is ideal

I recommend that you book your newborn session within the first ten days if you can!  

The earlier the better!

Here’s why

First of all, your baby will never be that tiny again.  And there is something very special about capturing the magic of those first days with your new baby.

Fresh newborns are also very sleepy!  So bringing them in when they are brand new increases your chances of getting those precious, sleeping baby photos.

Baby acne!  It’s totally normal, and it usually starts about two weeks after birth.  So getting your baby in for photos early  increases your chances of missing the baby breakout stage!

All that said, there is NO WRONG TIME to photograph your newborn

Listen, I’ve been a newborn photographer for 24 years at the time of this post.  I’m also a mother myself.  And the reality is, it’s not always possible to make that 10 day window!

I believe babies and perfect just as they are. That is why I do not pose the newborns I work with.

Having a newborn is wonderful.  But it can also be really hard!

So know this.  There is no WRONG time to photograph your baby.

Is a 3 week old baby still a newborn?  Yes!  And we can still get gorgeous photos?

Is it too late to bring a  4 or 5 week old baby in for photos?  Not at all!!!  4 and 5 week old babies are precious! 

Every age is the perfect age for photos!  And I promise you, you will never regret having photos taken!

Follow this link to book your session!

Photo by Della Chen

I have exactly one photo of myself with my twins from when they were babies.  

One.

My friend Della snapped it when I was sitting on the floor in my living room, unaware of her camera.  

If I had been aware, I probably would have told her not to take it.

I would have told her that I wasn’t ready to be in photos yet.  

That I still had too much baby weight.

That I didn’t like my hair that day and that the babies were cuter then me anyhow, take their picture, not mine.

You see, my pregnancy was not an easy one.

I went into labor the first time at 22 weeks and was put on hospital bed read until I delivered at 36 weeks.  Being in the hospital for that long saved my babies (for which I’m eternally grateful), but it wrecked me.

My muscles atrophied.  

I gained over 100 pounds.  

I was scared and depressed.  

Once the babies were born, I wasn’t allowed to leave the hospital until I could walk on my own around the hall- it took me a week to get there.

By the time I got home, I didn’t recognize myself.  

I was weak.  

Exhausted.

Heavier than I’d been in my life.

And I didn’t want my picture taken.

I didn’t like the way I looked postpartum.  And I didn’t like the way I felt. My pregnancy had been hard.  And it left me with a lot of emotional pain that I saw when I looked at photos of myself.

Why am I telling you all of this?

Because I want you to know I get it.  When you come in for your newborn photos and tell me that you don’t want to be in any pictures, I get it!

100%.

But this is what I want to say to you, and what I wished someone would have said to me when my babies were little.

The photos we take are not for you.  

They are for your baby.

And when that baby grows up and looks at those pictures, they are not going to see that you are tired, or that you look heavy, or that your hair wan’t perfect that day.  

They will see their mother, who they love.

That's it.

I have exactly one photo of myself with my twins from when they were babies.  

One.

And it’s my biggest regret.

I wish I had photos that told my story to give to them.  

To show what I went through because I loved them so much and wanted them so badly.  

Was I over weight?  Yep! Because I had made TWO people… at the same time!!!  That is nothing to be ashamed of!

Was my body weak?  Yes!! I had spent almost four month in a bed in an effort to keep them safe.  That is was mothers do!

Was I exhausted?  Absolutely. I had two newborn babies!  Being tired is normal!

I wish I had photos to show what a warrior I was.  

I wish I had been proud and brave instead of feeling like I needed to hide myself until I was perfect.  

There is no perfect.  

Especially when you’re a parent. And thats okay.

My children deserve to see that.

Yours do too.

So when you tell me you don’t want to be in the photos, I get it, but I will urge you to be in them anyway.

I will remind you that these photos are for your baby, not for you, and that they will want them someday.

And I will let you leave, knowing that I’ve done my job.  You may not like your photos now, or even in a year or two… but someday you will cherish them.

I promise.

I always say, there is nothing as beautiful as a newborn baby!  Those first moments are truly a magical time.  And that is why you want to make sure the person you are entrusting to create their newborn portraits is the best fit for you.  

But how do you go about finding the best one?  Especially when you live in a city like Seattle that has so many talented photographers to choose from!

Hopefully this post will help answer some of your questions!

Style

Before you dive deep into your online research, I encourage you to think about what style of photography you like!  

When it comes to newborn photography, most people think of photos that rely heavily on props and posing. But not all photographers shoot in that style!

I practice what is called “baby led posing”.  

What that means is that I only place newborns in poses that are natural and comfortable for them to be in.  So, for example, I’lI place your sleeping baby on their stomach, side or back.  But I will never position them in an unnatural position like a “taco” or “froggy” pose.

I also stay away from props in my work.  

I love images that are clean, minimal and timeless!

Knowing the style of photography that resonates most with you will help you narrow down your choices! 

Experience

Once you’ve found a photographer, or maybe a couple of photographers, whose style matches your own, check how much experience they have working in this genre.

Newborn photography is a very specialized field. It takes a lot of patience.  And you’ll want someone who has experience working with newborns, knows how to keep them comfortable and happy, and understands how to work efficiently!

I started my photography business in 1999 and have been working as a newborn photographer even since. Newborn photography is my specialty. And I work with over 100 families a year, so I have a ton of experience working with newborns!

Trust

When it comes to choosing a newborn photographer, trust is another important factor to consider!  

You want to make sure that the quality of work they show on their website is the same quality you can expect to get  if you choose to trust them with these once in a lifetime photos!!

So spend time looking through their portfolio and social media!  

Is their work consistent?  

Do they show a variety to clients? 

Is the work they post in the bright summer months the same quality as the work they post in the winter (that will tell you whether or not they know how to work in different lighting conditions). 

Also, look for awards and accolades!

I, for example, and an award winning photographer.  

I’m also an industry educator and a best selling author.  

I am trusted and partner with some of the biggest brands in the photography world, like Kodak, and Westcott Light!  So in addition to serving clients for over 20 years, I’ve earned the trust of my colleagues and industry leaders! 

That is something I'm very proud of. 

Next Steps

I hope this post was helpful!  If you have any questions, please let me know!  And if you’d like to schedule your newborn appointment, just follow this link!

I was really hoping that as more and more people in our community got vaccinated and boosted, risk of Covid-19 infections would go down! But sadly, here we are in the middle of another scary surge thanks to Omicron!

I take safety VERY seriously. And am doing everything I can to keep myself, my family and my clients (especially those who are too young to be vaccinated) safe. Let me tell you how.

I AM FULLY VACCINATED AND BOOSTED

For starters, I am fully vaccinated (and boosted) and I require all adults who visit my studio be as well.

Getting vaccinated does not guarantee that you will not get the virus, but studies show that it DOES significantly reduce your risk of serious infection and will most likely keep you out of the hospital if you do get sick. Why does that matter? Because we need to keep valuable ICU beds free for people who need them!

I tragically lost my father over the summer to a gall blockage that led to Sepsis due to lack of immediate care. You see, he was told at the ER he needed emergency surgery but there were no ICU beds available. So he waited. And developed a deadly infection in the process. Myself and my entire family are devastated, and this is one of the reasons why I take vaccination as seriously as I do.

Also, I work with newborns, babies and small children who are too young to be vaccinated. Providing a safe environment for them to be in is paramount! So please bring proof of vaccination to your sitting.

I AM LISTENING TO THE EXPERTS

I’m not a healthcare provider and I’m not a scientist so I’m listening to the experts and following the guidelines put out by the CDC.

They recommend maintaining a safe social distance, and so I do, as often as possible.

When working with older kids and adults, I give direction and guidance on posing while keeping a safe 6 foot separation.

With babies and newborns, I ask the parents to assist as much as possible and only place babies in natural positions that do not require excessive posing or props.

Fun fact… this has always been how I photograph babies. Another reason to love my minimal approach to posing, it’s Covid-19 friendly!

I WEAR A MASK

The CDC also recommends wearing a mask (it’s also currently a State mandate), so I wear a mask at all times and ask that my adult clients do the same until it’s their turn for pictures.

I keep a box of disposable masks at the studio for clients who forget theirs (nobody has so far… but they are still nice to have on hand, just in case.).

I KEEP THE STUDIO CLEAN

Cleanliness has always been a high priority for me, but now I’m EXTRA cautious about keeping the studio in tip-top shape.

My routine includes, disinfecting ALL surfaces (doorknobs, cameras, sinks, toys, pens…. anything a client may touch).

The entire space gets a good wipe down (with Clorox wipes) before and after every session.

I also wash all fabric items on the warmest setting (blankets, pillows, teddy bears.etc) between each and every session.

I wash my hands frequently and keep hand sanitizer next to where I’m working for both me and my clients to use.

WE’RE LIVING THROUGH HISTORY. DON’T BE AFRAID TO CAPTURE IT!

As crazy as all of this is, we ARE living through history. Think of the stories you’ll be able to tell your kids and grandkids when you share the photos we create today with them some day!

The question of how best to include older siblings in a newborn photo session is a concern that many of my clients have.  So today, I thought I'd take a moment to explain why I love having older children at newborn sessions and how I ensure that it all runs smoothly!

Why I Love Having The Older Kids Involved

Bringing a baby home can be a big adjustment for everyone. This is especially true for older siblings. Sometimes they love the idea of having a new baby brother or sister, and sometime they don’t! And after almost twenty years as a newborn and family photographer, I have seen it all!

My goal is to make your older child feel special at the photoshoot. I spend a lot of time preparing them for photos and tune into their feelings about this big change in their life. What I’ve found, is that even if they are reluctant at first, they appreciate the attention and the time to “hold” and examine the their new baby.

Safety First

I understand how precious and fragile new babies are, and that even the most well intentioned toddler may not be up up to the task of holding a newborn! Most of the time, I’ll get photos of the new baby and older siblings by placing the baby safely on the bed in my studio and inviting the other children to sit next to him or her, or “hold” the baby by laying down next to it and snuggling up. The parents are always just an arms length away to assist when needed!

Make It Fun

Family photo sessions should be fun for everyone!  That is why I have a lobby full of toys and playthings for older brothers and sisters to do while I’m working with their new baby brother or sister. I usually start my sessions by showing the older kids where the toys are and letting them play. Eventually they will get curious about what I’m doing with the baby and want to watch…. that is when I invite them to be in some pictures. And I also have lots of stickers and lollipops to dole out after the session as a reward!

Happy Father’s Day to all of you amazing dads out there! You make our lives better and we are lucky to have you!

Here we have an 8x12 album with a tundra linen cover, a 6x9 album with a blush leather cover and an accordion book album.

It’s Important to Hold Your Photos

I am a BIG believer in being able to hold your photos. Call me old fashioned, but I think there’s something so special about being able to hold moments and memories in the palm of your hand. Plus, film just looks so beautiful on paper. That’s the main reason why ever single maternity, newborn and family session comes with a complementary set of 4x6 prints.

Another great way to create a tangible keepsake from your session is with custom photo albums! The cover of these albums are made of the highest quality fabrics, and the pages are thick and seamlessly printed on paper that’s meant to last several generations.

Products to Choose from

If you’re interested in ordering an album keepsake from your session, we have a few different options for you!

• 6x9 hardcover custom photo album with linen or leather cover $750

• 8x10 softcover custom photo album with photo cover $850

• 8x12 hardcover custom photo album with linen or leather cover $950

• Set of 3 accordion albums with black fabric covers $95

The custom photo albums also include a complete set of digital files! Please note, accordion albums do not.

How to Order

For ordering a hardcover album, we recommend favoriting up to 10 images from your gallery to be in your album (usually three horizontal and four to six vertical images work well). For a softcover album (the ones with the photo covers), we recommend favoriting up to 20 images from your gallery, or across multiple galleries if you did a session bundle. From there we will create custom album spreads for you to preview and approve. Please note, we allow up to two design tweaks per album.

For ordering an accordion album, we ask that you favorite 10-12 photos from your gallery.

Cover colors, materials and further customization

Once you’ve decided on the photos you want in your album, now it’s time to choose the cover! We offer several colors in two different materials, linen and leather. Our favorites at the studio are linen in tundra and leather in blush, as you can see below!

If you’re interested in further customization (such as adding text or debossing), we are happy to accommodate for a small fee.

Here are all the colors and materials we offer:

Simple, Beautiful and Fast

Once your album is ordered, it usually takes 1-2 weeks to arrive to your door for you and your family to enjoy for years to come.

There is nothing like those first few days at home with your new baby.

So full of love. So full of awe! And SO tired! Ha! I remember it well!

It’s seems like everything you do, even just simple every day tasks, is new. No longer can you just go hop in your car and run to the store, for example. Now you have to get the baby ready, fed, diaper changed, in the carseat, buckled… then you can go out to the car and to the store. It can all be overwhelming to say the least.

I recommend that families come in for their newborn photos within the first 10 days. And I know how hard it can be to just make it out the door in the early days! So let me help make it a little easier by sharing what you need to know to prepare for your newborn photo session.

How to Prepare Your Baby

Try to change and feed the baby right before you leave. A dry and well fed baby will likely fall asleep in the car on the way to the studio, and I’m REALLY good at being able to get sleeping babies out of the carseat and onto the bed at my studio without waking them up!

Most babies who come to the studio asleep will stay asleep for their entire session!

How To Dress Your Baby

Don’t worry about bringing fancy outfits. I find that newborns are best photographed in a simple swaddle or in just their diaper. So save yourself the trouble, and leave the outfits at home.

Feel Free To Bring Heirlooms And Special Items

Yes, I know I just said that I prefer to photograph babies in just their diapers, but if you have the blanket you came home from the hospital in or if Grandma spent eight month hand making something special for the baby…. bring them! Those things are important and I will do my best to incorporate them into your photos.

Expect To Be In The Photos

I always take a few photos of the parents with their new baby at each session, so come prepared! I find that neutral colors work best, and try to stay away from clothing with patters or logos.

Have Fun (And A Sense Of Humor)

My goal is to have your newborn session be relaxing and fun, but sometime newborns have their own plans.

If your baby cries. If they pee or poop on the studio bed, or even on me…. it’s okay!! I’ve been working with newborns for almost 20 years, and I’m the mother of twins. I’ve seen it all and nothing phases me… I promise.

Your photo session is a time to celebrate your baby and your new family! So enjoy it!

Oh, And One More Thing

If despite your best made plans, things happen and you’re running late, no worries… just give me a call or shoot me a text to let me know!

And if you have any other questions about now to prepare, fell free to send me an email at sandra@sandracoan.com.

I'll never forget the day my children we born.  All I wanted to do was look at them. I couldn't get enough. 

Their little faces!

Their toes! 

Their tiny fingers. 

I would sit and just watch them sleep. 

I loved the way they stretched and squirmed. 

I loved their little yawns and baby sneezes.

They were so perfect!!  I couldn't get enough.

I think about that every time I work with a newborn.  I look at other people's babies just like I looked at my own; full of wonder and amazement. 

Why I Don't Use Props

That is why I choose not to use props or unnatural posing in my work.  I believe babies are perfect, just the way they are.  They don't need anything else.  Just a baby being a baby is enough for me.

I also know that newborns are precious and fragile little humans.  They are meant to be cared for and protected which is why I would never place them in any kind of an unnatural pose.

What You Can Expect From Me

If you are bringing your baby in for a newborn session with me, please know this.  I understand how precious this little person is to you.  Our babies are our world and I know that.  

I will keep your baby safe.

I will keep your baby warm and comfortable.

And I will create classic, timeless images that you can look back on years from now and see your child's personality shining through.

Remember, they're only little once.  Don't miss it.  Book your session today!

Ask any newborn photographer what is the best age to photograph a baby and they will say "within the first ten days."  The reason we all say that is because in those early days babies are still really sleepy so it is less likely that they will be fussy, they still curl up like they did in the womb, and they're still really tiny, so getting those newborn shots of the little sleepy baby is easier!

But lets be honest.  Those first days home with your new baby are not always easy.  And sometimes, getting out of the house and making it to a photoshoot is just not possible.

So what do you do if you miss the "first ten days" window?  

I can't tell you how many emails I get from parents who feel they missed that newborn window and are not sure what to do.  Many feel like they just need to wait until the next milestone age.  But this is what I believe. 

There is never a wrong time to photograph your baby.  

Never.  

So you missed the first ten days.  It's okay.  Your baby at three weeks or four weeks or even two months is still really really cute!  And they will never be as little as they are right now ever again.  So don't miss it!

The benefits of photographing an older infant.

There are actually a lot of benefits to photographing an older infant!  

Older babies are curious.  They want to see whats happening around them, so they are more likely to make eye contact with the camera and hold it.  

Most babies start smiling around 6 to 8 weeks.  So waiting until your baby is a little older before scheduling a photoshoot will increase your chances of catching some of those first smiles.

The older your baby is the more you begin to see their growing personality.  And that is really fun!

The take away.

There is a lot of magic in those in-between months.  So don't let the fact that you missed the early newborn days keep you from scheduling a photo session for your baby.  Celebrate where they are now!  After all, they are only little once.