What is the best age to get professional baby photos?
A guide to choose the best time to book a photographer for your baby
Many parents-to-be or new parents ask the question: “what is the best age to photograph my baby?”. Should it be when she’s a tiny newborn baby or should I wait a few months till she can sit up? It is such an important decision as you will certainly treasure these photos forever.
Through my experience as a baby and family photographer, I will guide you in understanding the various times you should consider booking your baby photoshoot so you make an informed choice.
Newborn baby - 0 to 2 weeks old: The new beginnings
Before baby comes, there is so much to plan between the nursery room and the set of tiny newborn baby clothes to choose.
If you’re adding ‘book newborn photoshoot’ to the list, I would recommend that you first decide the type of photography you want (studio/posed or at home/candid) and contact the newborn photographer of your choice before your baby is due. By booking your newborn photoshoot early, you have the guarantee that you will get the newborn photos you have in mind. Most photographers will understand that babies don’t arrive ‘on time’ and will be flexible with their diaries as long as you’ve discussed this with them in advance.
If you choose a photographer like me, we will do your newborn photoshoot in your home so you feel relaxed and I will follow your new family’s flow. There’s no props, no awkward posing; just your baby and yourself(ves) in your home.
Whether your baby needs to sleep or feed, this is totally normal so I’ll either capture a few photos of those special moments or wait patiently while we chat. I won’t rush you in any way, respecting the new routine you’re just getting familiar with.
The first couple of weeks with a newborn baby are full of excitement mixed with exhaustion and totally get that (I’ve been there!) but having photos of you holding your child, just a few days after meeting her/him for the first time are images you will certainly look at again and again in the future when your child is older, even possibly with her/him. Can you imagine?
If you had your baby through a caesarian birth, I will adapt to your movements (even if limited) and I will move around you and your baby to have a good variety of angles and moments between you and your baby.
What photos can you expect with a newborn baby photoshoot?
Every family and baby is different so I will adapt as much as possible to your flow but, overall, I will focus on capturing photos of you (and your partner) holding your baby and looking at her/him; newborn babies are already very sensitive to their parents’ voice so they often look towards them when they talk - this can create emotional photos of mum and baby looking at each other.
The advantage of a professional newborn photoshoot at home is that we can include elements of your routine: changing a nappy, tapping their back for a burp and whether you breastfeed or bottle feed your baby, I would happily get hold of these moments in photographs so you have a tangible memory of these intimate moments with your baby. Your little one will sleep a lot so having photos during their nap will reflect the slow pace of the early days. Documenting your new family life is essential in the final images I am creating for you because they are unique to your family.
Details, lots of details… having a baby sometimes feel like a miracle so I will focus on the ordinary yet so extraordinary details of your baby: the tiny toes, fingers and ears that make them so amazing to look at.
Some parents-to-be choose to have maternity photos, a few weeks before their baby arrive, to really embrace the ‘before and after’ and have photos they can show their child when they’re older. Let me know if you are interested as this usually needs to happen in your last trimester of your pregnancy. You can read in this blog post about a family who loved having a maternity photoshoot a few weeks before their newborn photoshoot, both in their home.
Newborn baby - 6 weeks +: The first milestones
Some photographers only focus on the first 10-15 days after your baby’s born but I know how to capture gorgeous photos with older newborns.
By this time, your baby may already hold her/his head up with her eyes following your movements. The photoshoot will take place in your home, your nest as I’d like to call it.
If you have missed the early newborn phase, this period can also be lovely to photograph: your baby will still be tiny but will have gained some weight and be a bit more alert. Perhaps your baby is enjoying some tummy time or has already started sucking her/his fists? I’d love to capture these cute moments.
Don’t worry if your baby cries, this is perfectly normal and I may capture these moments too; they will definitely tell a lot about this time in your baby’s life when their only way to communicate was through crying.
If you have twins, I’d love to photography your twin newborn babies together, the start of an incredible bond. You can take a look at this photo session I did with these gorgeous twin baby girls in their South East London home.
What photos can you expect with an older newborn photoshoot?
Similar to a young newborn photo session, we will be in your home and I will focus on your relationship with your baby, your routine, the cuddles, the feed, the facial expressions, etc.. so much happening even if it feels that so little is. Your baby is starting to be a social butterfly so it will be great to show her/his first interactions on camera.
Baby - 12 weeks to 16 weeks (3 to 4 months): Smiling away
From the age of 3 months, your baby has already started to smile at you, which makes any parent’s heart melt straight away understandingly. She’s babbling around making funny sounds, imitating your facial expressions, really becoming a bubbly social bee.
She might be able to hold a rattle or a baby book in her hand; whatever your baby is into at this age, she’s becoming more alert and more expressive than in the early weeks.
What photos can you expect with a baby photoshoot for babies aged 12-16 weeks ?
I would still recommend that most photos are taken in your home for a more relaxed session (but I’m flexible so feel free to discuss your wishes ahead of your baby photoshoot). We will make sure I include plenty of photos with you, your partner holding your baby and chatting to her while she’s maybe replying to you in her own babbling words. If the mood is right, we’ll hopefully get images of your baby’s first smiles. How special would that be! As she’s more alert by now, there are more opportunities for playtime and interactions.
Baby - 6 months +: Seeing the world from a different point of view
So many milestones happen around 6 months old: your baby will probably attempt (and maybe succeed) to sit up meaning she can see the world differently… no more lying down all day.
She’s more and more sociable and reacts to people’s interactions, even strangers, with big smiles and giggles.
From 7-8 months old, she might even start crawling around the house, discovering stairs and cupboards. This is going to be life changing for you too! Don’t worry if your baby doesn’t do that yet, my son only started crawling at 11 months old and wasn’t very much interested in it.
Every baby is different and develops at its own pace. This is around this age that babies start weaning, a big step in your child’s development and more discoveries for them. Get ready for very messy meal times!
What photos can you expect with a baby photoshoot for babies aged 6-8 months ?
If your baby is sitting up, this will make fantastic and adorable photos. Indoors in your home, your baby might be sitting (or rolling) on a bed or outside in your garden or a favourite place of yours, your baby could be playing with her favourite toy.
The weaning stage might give your baby plumpy cheeks and chubby legs that I’d love to capture as once they start walking and running, they will be a long-gone memory. Photos of your baby smiling and laughing with you will certainly become the photos you’ll want to print and frame in your house later.
Older baby - 1 year-old: The first-ever birthday
You might get a bit emotional at this point, thinking that your adorable baby is now already one year old. The year has probably gone very quickly and long of the days your bundle of joy was sleeping hours and hours.
Perhaps your child is already standing up and has already attempted some steps (if not already walking). You are probably constantly chasing them because their curiosity has no limits. Some families organise a gathering of close friends and families for this special occasion: will you do this?
What photos can you expect for a 1 year-old baby photo session?
There are certainly plenty of great photo opportunities at 12 months-old as babies are constantly on the move, looking for something new to explore. If we are outside, mum or dad can lift your baby up in the air, or help her walking around, holding tightly on your hand. We can create lovely memories on the swing and simply in your arms. Inside, I could document the bath routine or some play time with you in the living room.
Older siblings: Sharing the spotlight
I believe it is important to include brothers and sisters in your baby’s photoshoot because they are totally part of her world.
During my photo session, I love to take a variety of photos focusing on your baby on her own but also with you, showing your strong connection and all the loving relationship between you.
Siblings add another dimension to the photos, it’s the early days of a bond for life. I got some funny photos in the past with an older brother kissing his baby brother’s head and another a little girl being determined to hold a baby sister on her laps, like grown-ups do. It is truly touching and I will always document these special moments for you.
Conclusion: Is there a best age to get professional baby photos?
There is no strict answer, to be honest. Every family will have different priorities and beliefs of what matters to them. The early days and weeks are so precious due to the powerful meaning of this new life joining your family while older babies bring more dimensions to the photoshoot. Have a read through this page, look at the examples I’m sharing with you and follow your guts. You may want to consider to combine a newborn photoshoot and a follow-up session 6 months or a year later. We can have a chat about it over the phone, just contact me; sometimes it helps to talk about it.
Printed photos & albums: How to keep your memories alive
If you book a baby photoshoot, I’m guessing it is because you truly believe it is important to have tangible memories of your children while they’re little. I always encourage families to print their photos, either themselves or, for parents who don’t have a lot of time (most of you, I guess!), you can choose to have your photos printed in a photo album or as fine-art prints. I can totally help you with this process so you don’t have worry about it.
The great advantage of a photo album is that you can keep it in your living room and flick through it every now and then with your children and talk about this special day a photographer came to your home and took photos of you all playing and hanging out together.
Watch this video or go to the Info page for more details and prices.
Christening: Celebrating your baby with loved ones
A baby christening is a rare occasion to bring your family and friends together for a day. I would love to capture the spirit of this special day with discretion.
Find out more about my christening photography service >
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Marion & You Photography is a photographer in South London specialising in family, newborn and baby photography.
Marion specialises in London family photography, South East London family photography (Beckenham, Crystal Palace, Bromley, Dulwich, Forest Hill, Herne Hill, Greenwich), North London family photography (Islington, Hampstead, Kentish Town), East London family photography, South West London family photography, Kent family photography as well as areas in and around London.