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.
