When is the best age for newborn photos? How long after birth should I schedule my newborn photography session?

There are many answers out there on this topic and many strong opinions. I’m going to answer this question based on my approach and style for newborn photography. For those of you who don’t know, I am a lifestyle newborn photographer, which means my photo sessions are centered on capturing natural interaction with the baby. I do not capture super posed, propped studio photos. This gives me much more flexibility with the time frame during which you can schedule your baby’s first photos. This is because I am not capturing those posed and propped photos of the baby. Those types of sessions require your little one to be sleepy and the best time to schedule those is within 7 days of birth. This does not apply to my style of photography, so here is some info about when to schedule your session with me.

Having a baby is perhaps the most important milestone in life. This experience is special in so many ways. While planning for the arrival of her new child, most new moms have tons of decisions to make, one of which is choosing the best newborn photographer for your family. This decision is an important one because your photos of your newborn child will forever preserve this precious moment in your life. There are many photographers and session types from which you can choose, but it can be difficult to decide which is best for you and your family. The following tips can help you make that decision.

This newborn session is one of my favorites that I photographed recently. The parents opted for my simple newborn session, which is a session that captures timeless portraits of baby. It is perfect for families who are looking for images to use as announcements and to hang on their walls. Although I love family newborn sessions, these are equally as beautiful.

Baby B was seriously a dream baby. He literally did not cry once during the session, slept the entire time, (even through multiple outfit changes), and he smiled throughout the session. He is just adorable!

I always love photographing newborns in my private studio space. The studio allows me to capture images of families with a lifestyle approach in a bright and modern setting. These studio lifestyle newborn sessions are geared towards capturing families interacting with their baby. So, even though most of the session is centered on capturing family photos, I do take the time to also capture beautiful portraits of your little one on one of my hand made backdrops. These family images are not only more visually interesting, but will capture the memories you will want to remember years from now when baby is grown up.

Natural and Bohemian Photography Studio

I am in the process of renovating my photography studio. I have made some minor changes to the space to give the studio a more modern, beachy and bohemian look. I have added furnishings and decor that have a lot of texture and will provide visual interest to the images I take in the space.

Accent pieces such as my new rattan arm chair and velvet sofa, both provide a comfy space for my clients to relax, but I also incorporate these furnishings into my studio lifestyle newborn sessions, which are geared towards capturing families interacting with their baby.

Another key design element is the use of textures, such as macrame pillows, the chenille bedding, and faux fur side table and blankets. Not only do these items beautifully decorate the space, but they add dimension and depth to the photos I take in the studio.

To meet the diverse needs of my clients, I offer a variety of newborn sessions. Because I know how important it is to capture family memories, I always encourage my moms to schedule a family newborn session; however, I recognize that not all moms want to be in the frame and some are only looking for images to use for birth announcements. For those moms, I offer the Simple Studio Newborn Session. This is a shorter session, running around 60-75 minutes in length and includes two sets. As always, my set is kept neutral and understated, which will help me to focus on your newborn’s beauty and allows me to capture timeless imagery.

I absolutely love in home lifestyle newborn sessions. These sessions are the most natural and organic way to capture those first moments with your baby. I capture you and your family interacting with baby, but I also make sure I get a few polished portraits of baby for you to use for birth announcements and to hang on your walls. I have found that most families really appreciate and value those images of them with baby so much more than the posed mages I provide.

I often get asked by clients, what can I do to prepare for this session and what can I expect? So, I decided to write a blog post in which I will answer those questions.

I had the pleasure of kicking off my Memorial Day weekend photographing this beautiful family, who recently welcomed baby number three into their family. Big brother and sister are active toddlers, both under the age of four, so mom wanted an in home session. The in home newborn session is perfect for any family; however, for families who have active young children, having baby photographed in the comfort of the client’s home will alleviate much of the pressure and stress of this type of session and will also help facilitate more natural and organic images.

Newborn sessions tend to take a long time to photograph, especially with larger families. Even though my studio is equipped to handle families with children, I find that when toddlers are in their own home, they tend to be more relaxed. When I photograph in the client’s home, I can give the children numerous breaks throughout the session. I do this in my studio too, but in a home, they can truly step away from the photographs, which provides them with the opportunity to recharge. Most of the time, they go to another room and either have a snack or play a game. When they return from their break, they are ready to smile for the camera.

My approach to newborn photography is a bit different than other photographers. As opposed to photographing baby in an array of props and outfits, I center my sessions around the family and their interaction with baby. I do this because I know that years from now when baby is grown, you are going to want images that capture those first few moments with him. I know sometimes as moms, we don't feel our best right after delivery and would rather not be in photos, but years from now you will be so grateful to have photos that document those precious first moments with your baby.

I have been photographing more family newborn sessions in my studio lately.  I love that so many families are opting for the family session because I believe it is so important to get in the frame with your newborn. I know sometimes as moms we don't feel our best right after delivery and would rather not be in photos, but you will want photos that document those precious first moments with your baby because they are gone in the blink of an eye. Besides, new moms are always gorgeous and always seem to be glowing.  

Since launching the studio segment of my business last year, I have had the honor to work with many families and their newborn .  I always feel so privileged to be able to document those first moments for them. What many of my clients have told me about the studio is that they love that they were able to capture connected lifestyle inspired images with their baby as well as polished portraits.  I am thrilled that I can offer my clients such diversity in their galleries.

It is always wonderful to see my maternity clients return for their newborn sessions.  What makes it even better is when those clients are local Long Beach residents. I know how busy new moms are and I am pleased to be able to offer the convenience of studio newborn sessions for them.  The session lasts 2-3 hours during which time I pose baby comfortably and gently into natural poses. 

When potential clients contact me about newborn sessions, I always recommend scheduling a family newborn session. This type of session allows the client to get a blend of posed portraiture, as well as some lifestyle images of the family interacting with the baby.  Many clients want to schedule in home family newborn sessions, but fear their home is too dark or does not have the "look" they want for their baby's first photos. Other clients have told me that they prefer the "polished" look and brighter aesthetic that a studio session provides.  

I am always honored when clients hire me to photograph their newborns. There is no time in life that is quite as precious as those first few days home with a baby. It is even more of a privilege  when I am asked to photograph my clients in their own homes. Lifestyle newborn sessions are the best way to ensure that the photos of your baby are unique, personal, and authentic. There is something about the way families interact with one another in the comfort of their own home that allows me to capture the emotions of that special time.

My first newborn session of 2018 was with this sweet baby boy, who was born just a few days after the New Year and promptly on his due date.  Baby P was wide awake for most of his session, which is always fine with me. I love images in which baby is awake and alert. Because my approach to studio baby photography is a soft and natural look, it is not a problem if the infant is awake; in fact, I tend to prefer those alert images because they always seem more authentic to me. 

My last session of 2017 was a newborn session that took place right here in my Long Beach studio.  It was a brutally cold day on the day of Miss K's session, but thankfully my newly installed radiant heating system really helps to keep the newborns cozy and comfortable during the session.  It is so important that babies feel comfortable during a session and I use a variety of methods to ensure their comfort such as white noise, rocking, swaddling, and various other techniques.  The length of a studio session varies based on how well the baby falls asleep and how she transitions between poses.

This recent Fall family session was so special to photograph for a multitude of reasons.  One reason is because Alison is a former colleague of mine from my teaching days.  It is always a thrill and an honor to be able to spend time with my beloved colleagues, many of whom I worked with for over a decade, and document their family memories for them.  Secondly, this was Alison's first family portrait session with her beautiful two month old daughter. 

Clean Look for Classic Mom and Baby Portraits

Because my goal is to focus on the simple beauty of the newborn baby, as well as the love between family and child, it just makes sense to utilize a neutral color palette.  These colors utilized for the background of the newborn sessions' all me to place an emphasis on that beautiful simplicity of those first few moments with baby.  The scheme also enhances that gorgeous maternal glow that every new mom seems to radiate.  These recent images taken in the studio show exactly why I love the neutral palette so much. 

Introducing the Simple Family Newborn Session! This session is perfect for all of those moms who want the in home look of newborn photos, but prefer to schedule their session in a studio. The second type of studio session is the Simple Family Newborn Session.

So now, Mom can escape and relax in the comfort of my beautiful studio space while I photograph her and her family interacting with baby. 

There is nothing more perfect and beautiful than a newborn baby.  So, I like to keep things simple during my studio sessions and focus on that natural beauty of the newborn.  To accomplish a natural look, I photograph on neutral backgrounds and instead of forcing babies into awkward or unnatural poses, the baby is guided and positioned into poses that are natural, safe, comfortable and free of props.   If the baby does not want to be in a particular pose or position, I do not force the baby.  Ultimately, I want to create classic images of your child that will stand the test of time.