Your complete guide on when to schedule your newborn session…without the stress.
If you’re expecting (or just had your baby…congrats + good luck with the sleep part), you’ve probably already heard a million different opinions about when to take newborn photos.
“Book for 5–10 days old!”
“No, wait until they’re a month old!”
“Do it whenever they’re asleep!”
“But my baby hasn’t slept since 2004, sooo…”
Here’s the truth: there is no “too early” or “too late” for newborn photos. Different ages simply create different types of images…and they’re all beautiful. As a newborn photographer serving Somerset, Hudson, Stillwater, and the entire St. Croix Valley, I photograph newborn babies anywhere from 5 days to 8 weeks old. The key is knowing what each stage brings so you can choose what feels right for your family.
Below is a simple, mom-friendly breakdown of what you can expect week-by-week.
When to Schedule: Newborn Photo Timing Guide (Week by Week)
0–2 Weeks: The Classic Sleepy Newborn Stage
Best for:
- Curled-up poses
- Sleepy, squishy baby photos
- Minimal movement + very predictable positioning
- A calm studio experience while baby snoozes
In the first two weeks, babies are still very flexible and more likely to sleep deeply. If you love those soft, minimalist, womb-like poses in my portfolio, this is the stage that captures them best.
Real talk: They might still be wide awake. And that’s okay. Awake babies make incredible eye-contact photos, even at this age.
2–4 Weeks: The “Sleepy but a Little Spicy” Stage
Best for:
- A mix of sleepy + awake photos
- Stretchy arms and legs
- More personality coming through
- Beautiful parent + baby connection shots
Around weeks 2–4, babies go through a little growth spurt and become more alert. You get a combination of those dreamy sleepy shots and sweet wide-eyed portraits. They may fight sleep for a minute. They may poop on everything. But honestly? They do that at every stage.
4–6 Weeks: The Wide-Awake Storytelling Stage
Best for:
- Bright, expressive eyes
- First smiles + smirks
- Candid, real-life moments
- Studio or lifestyle sessions with lots of snuggles
By a month old, babies become so much more interactive. Sessions at this age feel different—in the best way. Expect lots of eye contact, stretching, yawning, and little bursts of personality.
Bonus: Older newborns tend to love being swaddled, which makes my minimalist style feel extra clean and timeless.
6–8 Weeks: The “It’s Not Too Late” Stage
Best for:
- Parents who thought they missed the window
- More structured awake time
- Big expressions and tiny giggles
- Documentary-style images with siblings
I hear it constantly: “We wanted newborn photos but time got away from us.” Good news: It’s absolutely not too late. Your baby may not curl into tiny poses anymore, but you’ll get some of the most meaningful images. Big eyes, soft rolls, gummy smiles, and lots of connection. Some of my favorite galleries ever came from babies 6–8 weeks old.
So…What Age Should You Choose?
Here’s the simple breakdown:
- Love sleepy, curled poses? → 5–14 days
- Want a mix of sleep + awake? → 2–4 weeks
- Want expressive, bright-eyed images? → 4–8 weeks
- Unsure? → Book early and we’ll choose the timing together once baby arrives
Every age creates a different kind of magic, and your gallery will be beautiful no matter what stage your baby is in.
A Few FAQs I Get All the Time
What if baby is awake the whole session?
Totally fine. Some of my best images ever are of wide-awake babies.
What if my baby has acne, peeling skin, or is cluster feeding?
All normal. All fixable. And nothing I haven’t seen before.
Do you offer studio and in home sessions?
Yep! Most families choose my minimalist Somerset studio, but I also offer in-home lifestyle newborn sessions for a cozy, documentary feel in the St. Croix Valley and beyond.
Ready to Book Your Newborn Session?
Newborns don’t stay small for long (I know, every mom says that—but it’s true). If you’re expecting soon, the best time to reserve your spot is during your second or third trimester. We’ll lock in your due date, and the actual session date will be flexible based on baby’s arrival.
✨ Click here to inquire + reserve your newborn session
Related Links:
