​Welcoming a new baby into your family is a moment you’ll want to treasure forever. I’m a mom of 3 and those first weeks with my own children are some of my favorite, yet fuzziest memories. Both as a mom and as an OKC newborn photographer, I believe that capturing those early days with a newborn photo session is one of the best ways to remember that season. But the question many moms have is: when to take newborn photos? Let’s dive into the details to help you decide when is best for your wishes.

Some Questions and Details to Consider for When to Book Your Newborn Photos

Are You Looking for Natural Newborn Photos or the Posed Studio Style?

Your choice of photography style can influence the timing of your session. Every photographer has their own style, and the most important part is to choose a newborn photographer with a style you love! What style you choose will also play a part in when the best time is for your newborn photos.

Traditional posed studio photos often require scheduling when your baby is between 5-10 days old, as this is when they are typically the sleepiest and easiest to pose. Those are usually the days they sleep deeper, which allows for the traditional studio posing you see in that style. If choosing this style of images make sure to check that your studio photographer is properly trained and certified to do the posing safely.

For lifestyle newborn photography, like the sessions I offer here in OKC (and yes, I’ll be biased—my favorite newborn photo style!), the timing is much more flexible. Since baby is not required to be asleep for posing, we can do sessions from those first days up until 8 weeks and beyond! Lifestyle sessions focus on natural connections, love, and joy in your home environment, making them a great option for any family wanting more honest and raw photos. The baby’s age can still impact how your photos look, so let’s chat about some of those factors.

a sweet little guy at just 5 days old

Are You Hoping for Photos When They Are the Smallest They Will Ever Be?

If capturing the tiniest size your baby will ever be is your goal, then doing a session within the first two weeks is a top priority. During this window, babies tend to be sleepy, curled up, and perfect for those dreamy, peaceful photos. If this is your goal, plan to book your session early to ensure you capture this fleeting stage.

Make sure to book your newborn photographer before birth if you want to make sure and get a session in those first days. This can be a crazy season, and especially if you have older children, it might not be the best fit for your family. One thing I do recommend is, if you want the very new, very tiny, and very raw details, a Fresh 48 photo session might be a good fit, followed by a newborn session a few weeks later at home.

A little prince who was 7 weeks old for his newborn session – you can see he’s starting to get the adorable newborn rolls and had lots of eye contact.

What If You Want Photos Showing Personality, Like First Smiles or Interaction?

If you’d prefer photos showcasing more personality, such as your baby’s first smiles or interaction with family members, consider scheduling your session when your baby is 5-8 weeks old. This is the time when they truly do start exploring the world and will be engaging you more, which can make for some truly heartwarming photos.

Is There Limited Time Off Work?

Lifestyle newborn sessions are about including the whole family—mom, dad, baby, and any siblings! If there is limited time off work, that can also be a factor in when to schedule your session. It is easiest to do while there is more relaxed time at home, but if needed, plan to take an extra day of work off for the session.

What Type of Photos Are the Most Important to You: Sleeping or Awake?

The timing of your session can impact whether your baby is mostly asleep or awake during the photos.

• Sleeping Photos: Babies sleep the most during the first 1-2 weeks, making this the best time for swaddled and curled-up poses.
• Mix of Awake and Sleeping: At 3-4 weeks, babies often start noticing the world around them and may be more expressive, providing a nice balance of both awake and sleeping shots.
• Awake and Interactive: For mostly awake and interactive photos, 5-8 weeks old is the sweet spot. Babies will make more eye contact, show deeper connections, and might even share a few smiles!

The favorite time for most of my clients is 2-3 weeks old. But one important thing to always remember is babies have their own schedules. A session might include lots of feeding or a day when your baby wants to be wide awake, even if you hoped for sleepy photos. Flexibility is key!

A precious little girl at 3 weeks is curious about her photo session.

Do You Need More Time to Recover After Birth?

Your recovery experience after delivery plays a big role in deciding when to take newborn photos. If your birth was especially challenging, you might need extra time to heal before you feel ready for a session. Lifestyle newborn photography allows for this flexibility, giving you the option to schedule your session when you feel most comfortable.

With my third baby, I was especially grateful for the flexibility and not being tied to a strict schedule for newborn photos. I had a horrific delayed medication reaction the week after birth. It took a good 10 days to clear up, and I wasn’t ready for photos until he was about 3 ½ weeks old.

What If Your Baby Is Premature?

If your baby arrives earlier than expected, you might worry about missing the ideal timeframe for newborn photos. Don’t stress! For premature babies, the adjusted age is what matters most. Lifestyle newborn photography is especially accommodating for families with preemies, and sessions can be scheduled once your little one is home and thriving. You can follow many of the above ideas, just using their due date rather than birthday to choose the best age for newborn photos.

With my first child, we had a 2-week NICU stay. She also had IUGR, so when we did “newborn photos” at 7 weeks old, she still very much looked like a newborn…a very wide-awake one, that is. 🙂

Because of my own NICU stay experiences, I have a soft spot for families with premature babies or unexpected NICU stays and am happy to chat through things once you feel ready to schedule a session.

What If Your Baby Has Already Arrived?

If your little one is already here and you’re just now thinking about photos, don’t worry! Reach out and we can still get that session scheduled – it’s never too late!

In closing, when it comes to when to take newborn photos, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Every family’s journey is unique, and the best time depends on your baby, your recovery, and the memories you want to capture. Whether you’re looking for those sleepy newborn poses or photos filled with personality and connection, I’m here to help you every step of the way.

Book Your OKC Newborn Photography Session Today and let’s capture this incredible season of your life!

​Charis Elisabeth Photography is a Master Family Photographer (NAPCP) and offers natural in home newborn photos for families. In the comfort of their own home these sessions are relaxed focusing on the joy and connection in the family. For more info about Newborn Photo Sessions check out this page and

Other posts for further reading…

• Pregnancy and Postpartum Resources for OKC moms
• What To Pack In Your Hospital Bag?