There is a lingering myth in the photography world that if you don't get your baby into a studio within the first 14 days then you’ve 'missed the window.' Well I’m here to tell you that’s simply not true. In fact, some of my favourite newborn sessions happen when the ‘newborn haze’ has lifted and the real personality starts to shine through.
One of the most frequent questions I get in my inbox is: "I’ve missed the two week window... is it too late for newborn photos?" and I want to let you in on a little secret: there is no expiry date on documenting your baby’s beginning. While the traditional photography world often pushes the idea that you must have a session within the first ten days to get those curled-up, sleepy poses ~ my documentary approach is a little different. Because I’m interested in your real life and your genuine connection the best time to take photos is simply whenever you feel ready to invite me in.
Whether we are shooting in my natural light home studio in Derby or in the comfort of your own home (my personal favourite), every stage of those first few months offers something beautiful and unique.
The First 21 Days
If you’re looking for those tiny, fleeting details like the flaky skin on their ankles, the way they still curl into a ball as if they’re back in the womb and that sleepy, milk-drunk stillness then the first few weeks are magic. At this stage an at home session is often the most relaxed choice. You don’t have to worry about packing a heavy changing bag or timing your travel around a feed or a nap. I simply step into your world while you snuggle on the sofa or rest in bed. These sessions aren't about perfection instead they are about capturing the hazy, quiet and slightly exhausted beauty of those very first days.
4 to 8 Weeks
By the second month, something shifts. You’ve usually found a bit of a rhythm and the survival mode of the first fortnight has started to lift. At this stage babies are much more alert. They’ll spend more of the session with their eyes wide open, track your voice around the room and give us those intense, soul searching stares that bring up emotions we can't quite explain. If you want photos that capture the connection and the way your baby is already looking at you with wonder then this is a wonderful time to book. Parents often tell me they feel much more like themselves by this point which always translates to a more relaxed, confident energy in the final images.
3 to 4 Months
This is the stage that more and more of my clients are choosing and I honestly love it. By three or four months your baby is a little person with a big personality. This is the window for those gummy smiles and the first real giggles. They’ve usually discovered their hands, they’re doing push-ups during tummy time and they react joyfully to your tickles and songs. If you’ve been feeling guilty for 'missing' the newborn phase ~ please don't. A three month old session is less about the haze and more about a celebration of who they are becoming.
So, How Do You Choose?
When you're trying to decide when to get on my calendar I usually tell parents to ask themselves one thing: what do you want to feel when you look back at these photos in ten years?
~ If you want to remember the scale of how tiny they were and the quiet, cocooned feeling of bringing them home then aim for the first 3 weeks.
~ If you want to remember their personality, their smiles and the way they finally started to interact with the world I recommend waiting until that 8 to 12 week mark.
My documentary style means I’m not here to put your baby in a basket or a pose that feels unnatural. Whether they are five days old or five months old, my goal is the same: to document the honest and unscripted love of your family in a way that feels like you.
Moments framed in time
Let's document your story