What Age Is Best for Newborn Photos?

Newborn babies grow and change faster in their first month than at any other point in life. Choosing the right age for a photoshoot is really about deciding which version of your baby you want to remember — and it's absolutely fine to book more than one session over the first year.

5 to 14 days: the classic newborn look

This is the age most people imagine when they picture newborn photography. Tiny curled hands, sleepy pouts, that fresh-baby smell. Babies at this age still fold into gentle womb-like poses and sleep deeply, which lets us create timeless wrapped and swaddled portraits safely.

3 to 6 weeks: lifestyle newborn

Older newborns are more alert, so we shoot more in-the-moment, family-led images — cuddles on your bed, feeding, tiny yawns. It's less about set-ups and more about capturing the reality of new parenthood.

3 to 4 months: awake baby portraits

Around 3–4 months babies start smiling on purpose and holding their heads up. It's a lovely age for close-up portraits and family photos with real eye contact.

6 to 9 months: sitter session

Once your baby can sit unaided, we can create beautiful "sitter" portraits — big eyes, sitting in a basket or on a soft blanket, exploring textures.

12 months: first birthday & cake smash

A joyful way to close out the first year with a themed cake smash session or clean, classic 1st birthday portraits.