{"id":1630,"date":"2016-03-14T22:42:00","date_gmt":"2016-03-14T22:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/?p=1630"},"modified":"2026-09-11T15:45:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T15:45:09","slug":"newborn-photography-when-best-age-take-baby-pictures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/14\/newborn-photography-when-best-age-take-baby-pictures\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Age for Newborn Photos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Your baby will be gorgeous no matter what age, but the first two weeks are ideal for newborn photography. Babies are still curled and sleepy, making those classic posed shots easier to achieve. That said, beautiful newborn images can be captured anytime up to three months and you have not missed your window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/how_old_dorie_howell_0.jpg\" alt=\"Best Age for Newborn Photos\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.8004385964912281;width:374px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-regular-font-size\">Best Age for Newborn Photos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Getting baby pictures can be quite an undertaking when it comes to traffic and nap schedules. And when you consider that parents JUST had a baby, asking them to leave the house at that point is a really big deal\u2026especially when you find out that a newborn session can take up to 3 hours! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">A good photographer will be able to get beautiful images of any baby, no matter how old they are.\u00a0The ultimate decision of when those images are taken should be up to the parents, not the photographer. \u00a0The newborn stage is up to 3 months of age so parents have time to decide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why do most newborn photographers say that images should be taken within the first two weeks of baby\u2019s life?&nbsp; <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">There are a few reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1.\u00a0 As soon as babies are born, they want to uncurl and spread out<\/strong>: \u00a0The older they get the more active they become, so the first 2 weeks of baby\u2019s life is the easiest time to get these sweet curled up shots we imagine when we think of newborn photography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Babies can wake easily:&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;Because very young babies are able to get into a deep sleep a little easier than older babies, they are less apt to wake because of their startle reflex. &nbsp;The advantage of photographing babies when they are very young is that once they are in a deep sleep, they usually stay there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Positioning.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0As I mentioned earlier, once babies enter the world they start uncurling and taking up more space. \u00a0As they grow they don\u2019t want to be squished up anymore! \u00a0It can make getting the perfect shot a little harder but should not prevent your photographer from getting beautiful images of your sweet new baby. \u00a0 While there are some advantages to having photos taken early in the very early weeks of baby\u2019s life, we can get lovely images no matter what baby\u2019s age. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">I will never forget a new momma who called me on the verge of tears because a photographer told her that she missed her window to get newborn pictures of her baby and that photographer refused to take the session.\u00a0 I was so mad for that mom.  Her child was barely 20 days old! \u00a0So don\u2019t let anyone make you feel like you missed anything.\u00a0\u00a0<em>You are doing a great job and we can get great images for you to treasure.<\/em> \u00a0 -Dorie Howell, Newborn &amp; Family Photographer in Northern VA<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Be sure to bookmark <a href=\"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/2020\/08\/15\/50-things-do-babies-during-first-year\/\" title=\"50 Things to Do in the First Year\">50 Things to Do in the First Year<\/a> once you feel like venturing out with baby! And if you need some support overnight, the Let Mommy Sleep team of night, nanny, and newborn care specialists is here for you. <a href=\"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/lms\/locations\" title=\"Find your local team!\">Find your local team!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"BlogPosting\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/14\/newborn-photography-when-best-age-take-baby-pictures\/#article\",\n      \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\n        \"@type\": \"WebPage\",\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/14\/newborn-photography-when-best-age-take-baby-pictures\/\"\n      },\n      \"headline\": \"Best Age for Newborn Photos: What Every Parent Should Know\",\n      \"alternativeHeadline\": \"When Is the Best Age for Newborn Photography?\",\n      \"description\": \"The first two weeks are ideal for newborn photography but beautiful images can be captured anytime up to three months. A Northern Virginia newborn photographer explains why \u2014 and why you have not missed your window.\",\n      \"image\": {\n        \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n        \"url\": \"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/how_old_dorie_howell_0.jpg\",\n        \"width\": 1200,\n        \"height\": 630\n      },\n      \"datePublished\": \"2016-03-14\",\n      \"dateModified\": \"2026-04-12\",\n      \"author\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Person\",\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q137178582\",\n        \"name\": \"Denise Iacona Stern\",\n        \"url\": \"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\",\n        \"sameAs\": [\n          \"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q137178582\",\n          \"https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/sol3\/cf_dev\/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=7769352\",\n          \"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Author\/Denise-Stern\",\n          \"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/special\/contributor-content\/2025\/03\/06\/let-mommy-sleep-founder-denise-iacona-stern-named-2025-titan-100-women-in-business\/82168058007\/\",\n          \"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/pictures\/eilh45ehgji\/denise-stern-let-mommy\/#54d5e78251a2\"\n        ],\n        \"jobTitle\": \"Founder and CEO\",\n        \"worksFor\": {\n          \"@id\": \"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/#organization\"\n        }\n      },\n      \"contributor\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Person\",\n        \"name\": \"Dorie Howell\",\n        \"jobTitle\": \"Newborn and Family Photographer\",\n        \"address\": {\n          \"@type\": \"PostalAddress\",\n          \"addressRegion\": \"VA\",\n          \"addressCountry\": \"US\"\n        }\n      },\n      \"publisher\": {\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/#organization\"\n      },\n      \"about\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n        \"name\": \"Newborn Photography\",\n        \"description\": \"Professional photography of newborn babies, typically captured in the first days or weeks of life.\"\n      },\n      \"keywords\": \"best age for newborn photos, best age for newborn photography, when to take newborn photos, newborn photography age, ideal age for newborn photos, newborn photo session age, how old for newborn pictures, newborn photography first two weeks, baby photo age, newborn photos age range\",\n      \"isPartOf\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Blog\",\n        \"name\": \"Let Mommy Sleep Blog\",\n        \"url\": \"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/\"\n      },\n      \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/#organization\",\n      \"name\": \"Let Mommy Sleep\",\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\",\n      \"logo\": {\n        \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n        \"url\": \"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/images\/logo.png\"\n      },\n      \"sameAs\": [\n        \"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q136724249\",\n        \"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/letmommysleep\",\n        \"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/letmommysleep\"\n      ],\n      \"foundingDate\": \"2010\",\n      \"founder\": {\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q137178582\"\n      },\n      \"areaServed\": \"United States\",\n      \"serviceType\": [\n        \"Newborn Care\",\n        \"Night Nanny\",\n        \"Night Nurse\",\n        \"Postpartum Support\",\n        \"Overnight Newborn Care\"\n      ]\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/14\/newborn-photography-when-best-age-take-baby-pictures\/#faq\",\n      \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What is the best age for newborn photos?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"The first two weeks of life are ideal for newborn photography. Babies are still curled and sleepy, making classic posed shots easier to achieve. However beautiful newborn images can be captured anytime up to three months \u2014 you have not missed your window.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Why do photographers recommend the first two weeks for newborn photos?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"Three reasons: babies are still naturally curled from the womb making posed shots easier, very young babies enter deep sleep more easily and stay asleep during a session, and younger babies are more flexible for positioning. After two weeks babies begin uncurling and become more alert, though great photos are still very possible.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Can I still get newborn photos if my baby is older than two weeks?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"Yes. A good photographer can capture beautiful images of any baby regardless of age. The newborn stage is medically defined as up to three months, so parents have time. Do not let anyone tell you that you have missed your window.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"How long does a newborn photo session take?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"A newborn photo session can take up to three hours. This is worth knowing before booking, especially for parents who have just come home from the hospital. Many photographers offer in-home sessions to reduce the burden of travel with a newborn.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What age is considered a newborn for photography purposes?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"Photographers vary \u2014 some say up to 28 days, others up to three months. Pediatrically the newborn stage is defined as up to three months. The first two weeks offer the easiest conditions for classic posed shots but any age within the newborn stage can yield beautiful results.\"\n          }\n        }\n      ]\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/14\/newborn-photography-when-best-age-take-baby-pictures\/#breadcrumb\",\n      \"itemListElement\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n          \"position\": 1,\n          \"name\": \"Home\",\n          \"item\": \"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n          \"position\": 2,\n          \"name\": \"Blog\",\n          \"item\": \"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n          \"position\": 3,\n          \"name\": \"Best Age for Newborn Photos\",\n          \"item\": \"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/14\/newborn-photography-when-best-age-take-baby-pictures\/\"\n        }\n      ]\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your baby will be gorgeous no matter what age, but the first two weeks are ideal for newborn photography. Babies are still curled and sleepy, making those classic posed shots easier to achieve. That said, beautiful newborn images can be captured anytime up to three months and you have not missed your window. Best Age [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":917,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1630","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-archives"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1630","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1630"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1630\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/917"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1630"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1630"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1630"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}