Emma’s Newborn Session

I’d like to submit this absolutely adorable in home newborn session along with a controversial opinion. Let me start with some context…

Typically, I recommend that lifestyle newborn sessions are scheduled for when your little one is around two weeks old. That’s the sweet spot of them being sleepy enough to doze through most of their session but still allowing mom some time to physically recover. What happens if you miss that window and schedule your newborn session for between 4-8 weeks? Nothing, you still have an adorable newborn BUT they’re much more awake and alert. I know, that sounds ridiculous to say about a baby that still naps 13 times a day but it’s true. When they’re over a month old and much more alert that means they won’t sleep for much of their session. Sometimes, that works out totally fine but often babies around one month old make some crazy faces. It’s not their fault, their eyes are still adjusting and they don’t know what to look but it can make for some awkward pictures.

So let me suggest a different option which is what this veteran family of five opted for… schedule your newborn session when they’re closer to 3 months old. Usually by this point they’re smiling, holding their head up, and can focus their eyes better (read: less weird faces).

If I can be honest, I’ve hesitated sharing this advice with families because sometimes the newborn session at 4-8 weeks old works out totally fine and I know families are already worried about how quickly time is going by. I’m on board with whatever my families decide please know that if you missed the two week old sweet spot, we can still document your little one! They may not be the teeny tiny baby they were when you brought them home but in a twist of Eleanor Roosevelt’s words: This is the biggest they’ve ever been but it’s the smallest they’ll ever be again. Reach out if you want to schedule your newborn session or family film!