Do you know how many times I get this question? …. many 🙂
Common knowledge within the newborn photography community is that newborn photo sessions need to be done within the first 14 days. There is a reason for this because the age matters.
The age of the babies can make a difference in what type of poses you are able to position them in and whether they will like it or not. All babies are different, and it’s not to say that one baby will be easier to pose over another one merely based upon age, but generally speaking, the age of the baby can dictate how the session will run.
Younger babies tend to go into certain curly poses much easier than older babies, and don’t mind much about having their clothes off if they are kept warm.
I would say that the best time to bring your baby to the studio is between 5-20 days. During this period I am able to do almost all of the newborn poses parents adore. When the baby is around 1 month old, posing the baby starts being more difficult. The baby is more aware, not so sleepy and also not so flexible. I can still do the newborn session but I cannot do some poses at this age. Posing 1-2 month old babies gets more difficult and newborn poses are very limited.
Once babies get past that 8-week-old mark, newborn sessions really aren’t possible. A lot of the props used for newborn sessions will get too small. Another struggle is that babies at that age are awake longer, making it harder to get those traditional newborn poses. As your baby ages, the style of their sessions will change.
Most of my newborn clients book their newborn photography session with me before baby is born, giving us lot of time to plan for the session. I do get some frantic emails from parents looking for a photographer last minute once baby is born. These babies are usually a little older, and parents are always worried their baby is too old for newborn pictures.
While some clients book their session early, I do my best to fit in last minute newborn sessions too, especially when parents have an older baby and in a panic thinking their baby is too old for newborn pictures. I do everything I can to get them in for a session.
Please don’t panic. While there are photographers that won’t photograph babies over two weeks old, there are photographers that will. Though there will be some differences in posing, the newborn session is still possible.
I have photographed 5 babies at the age of 7 weeks. I cannot say that the session was easy, because it was not, but I was able to get a few images for the parents (it was a mini session, not a full session) but the parents were so grateful and delighted with the outcome. They will cherish those images forever.
My advice as a newborn photographer would be do your research, think about the style of photography you like, then contact a few newborn photographers in advance while you are still pregnant. Try to book a session in the third semester. Even though the newborn session is possible to do with older babies, most of the times we are booked out up to 2-3 months in advance.
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Award Winning Photographer Monika Golebiowska specializes in fine-art portraits for newborn, baby (6 months and 1 year old milestones), maternity and family photography. Her style is “LESS is MORE”. The baby is the center of attention. Monika loves white colors which represents pure and organic. She also offers new ALL WHITE sessions (all outfits, props, and backdrops used during the session are white) for a more natural, simple & timeless look. Her studio located in Merrick, Long Island, NY; NYC area is equipped with lighting, is temperature controlled, and has all the props needed for your session. Parents need to bring only their beautiful baby, then sit back and relax during the session.
To book a session go to: www.monikagolebiowska.com and send an email via Contact Form.