This really for me is a hard question to answer. Because you see, babies are all indviduals like you and I are and well.. they are all their own people. So the below information is traditionally what to expect, but know that your baby may not fit into this mold.
While the first 8 weeks are considered the "newborn" period, the ideal time for photos depends on the style you prefer. Traditionally, posed photos of deeply sleeping babies are taken in the first 7-10 days. So, if you're wanting to those cute squishy poses or your baby posed in a prop.. the first 7-10 days post birth is your ideal window.
In the first two week:
.At this age, babies are still small and sleepy, often resembling their birth appearance. They tend to keep their eyes closed and enjoy curling up on your chest for cozy, snuggly photos. Additionally, with both parents usually off work, schedules are more relaxed, making it an ideal time for a photo session. This period offers a wonderful opportunity to capture those precious early moments. Usually when we get closer to the 2 week mark, babies tend to have their first really big growth spurt and this leads to cluster feeding. Cluster fed babies tend to be a little more unsettled and needing more calories due to their rapid growth.
2-3 week old babies:
This is when many babies develop baby acne and go through a growth spurt, which can make them clingier and crankier. If you miss the 2-week window, know that your newborn session may be a little more difficult, however I never refuse a baby due to age.
4-8 week old babies:
I love photographing babies of any age, but by this time, babies are more alert, and their baby acne usually clears up. They also start to fill out and may even begin smiling between 6-8 weeks, making for some delightful photos. This period also gives parents more time to rest and recover from birth. So if you aren't into the posed newborn session and just want some sweet over the head shots or family shots, this is the time frame for you.
Babies in the photos below are a bit older, but as you can see some are awake and some are sleeping. At the end of the day, you need to decide what you want your photos to look like. However, I've photographed 7 day old babies that were very alert and didn't want to sleep at all and I've photographed 2 month old babies and they slept soundly and I was able to pose them in a bucket. So the above information is typically what to expect during those age brackets, but please know that your baby is his/her own person and might beat to their own drum. Regardless, I never turn away a baby and my sessions are typically more baby led with a side of photographer influenced. ;)
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