One of the questions I hear most often from expecting mothers is when to take newborn pictures.

It’s a good question, especially when you’re trying to plan around a baby whose actual arrival date is something you wont know until they arrive.

You may have heard that newborn photographs need to happen within the first two weeks. And while there’s a reason most photographers often recommend that window, there’s a little more flexibility than you might think.

Here’s what I recommend, what changes as your baby grows, and how we’ll plan for those first portraits without adding another thing to your plate.

When Is the Best Time to Take Newborn Pictures?

Those first days with a new baby are something so tender, special, and new. Everything about them is so tiny, from their little fingers and toes to the way they curl up against you, still looking perfectly content to be tucked in close.

It’s one of the reasons I believe the best time to take newborn pictures is during those first 7–14 days.

They’re often still sleepy, settled, and wonderfully scrunchy from their time in the womb. Their little legs naturally tuck in, they’re usually happy to be swaddled, and there’s a peacefulness to the portraits that feels so true to those earliest days.

During our Coffee Consult, we’ll talk about when to take newborn pictures, and I’ll typically recommend this 7–14-day window. It’s a beautiful opportunity to preserve just how little your baby was when you first welcomed them home.

Of course, babies don’t stay in that sleepy newborn stage for long.

As the weeks pass, they begin stretching out, spending more time awake, and taking a greater interest in everything happening around them. The portraits change a little, too. You might see more open eyes, more interaction with Mom and Dad, and the first little glimpses of the personality that’s beginning to emerge.

And I think there’s something equally lovely about that.

My preference for the first two weeks isn’t because beautiful newborn photographs can’t happen later. It’s because I love documenting those especially tiny, sleepy details while they’re still here.

With my relaxed, in-home approach, there’s room for both. The photographs may feel a little different depending on your baby’s age, but the connection between you and your newest little one is always at the heart of them.

Can You Take Newborn Pictures After Two Weeks?

Absolutely. While I love those first 7–14 days, beautiful newborn portraits don’t suddenly become impossible once your baby reaches the two-week mark.

What Changes When Your Newborn Is a Little Older?

If you’re wondering when to take newborn pictures after those first two weeks, the good news is that we still have plenty of beautiful opportunities.

By three, four, or even six weeks, your baby may be spending more time awake, stretching those little arms and legs, and becoming increasingly curious about the world around them.

They’re growing and changing, and those changes naturally find their way into your photographs.

We may have fewer of those sleepy, curled-up moments that are so characteristic of the earliest newborn days. Instead, we might see more open eyes, little stretches, and moments of interaction as you hold your baby close.

There’s something lovely about preserving those details, too.

Because my newborn sessions take place in your home and focus on your family’s connection, we have flexibility in how we approach the portraits. Your baby doesn’t need to sleep through the entire session or settle into a particular pose for us to create photographs you’ll love.

What About Photographing Your Baby at Three Months?

And one of the things I find so meaningful about photographing a baby’s first year is seeing just how much can change in a matter of weeks.

Those tiny, sleepy newborn details are beautiful in their own right. Then by around three months, babies are growing, beginning to share genuine smiles, interact more with you and their siblings, and show so much more of their personalities. It’s an entirely different stage, and one I love photographing just as much.

If you’re wondering when to take newborn pictures and love the idea of remembering both those sleepy newborn days and the more interactive months that follow, that’s where my Collective Membership can be a lovely fit.

Rather than following a predetermined milestone schedule, you can choose the sessions that are most meaningful for your family. Maybe that’s maternity and newborn portraits, followed by a three-month motherhood session. Or perhaps there are other moments during that first year you’d especially love to remember.

You don’t have to decide today which milestones you’d love to remember. That’s something we can explore together as we plan your family’s photography experience.

When Should You Schedule Your Newborn Photography Session?

If you’re wondering when to schedule newborn photography, my recommendation is simple: reach out whenever you’re ready to share your exciting news!

For most mothers, that’s somewhere around the beginning of the second trimester. And while you may still be wondering when to take newborn pictures, it’s a wonderful time to begin planning.

You don’t need to have decided exactly when to take newborn pictures before reaching out, either. That’s part of what we’ll plan together.

When you reserve your newborn session, I reserve your due date on my calendar. From there, we have plenty of time for our Coffee Consult, choosing what everyone will wear, and thoughtfully planning the details of your session.

My goal is to have everything taken care of well before your due date, so that when those final weeks of pregnancy arrive, your newborn portraits are already one less thing to think about.

And if you’re considering maternity portraits, planning early gives us room for those, too. My Collective Membership also allows us to plan for more than one meaningful milestone as your family grows.

When to Take Newborn Pictures If Baby Arrives Early or Late

Of course, babies arrive on their own schedule.

I accept a limited number of due dates and other sessions each month, giving me the flexibility to accommodate early arrivals, babies who take their time, and unexpected NICU stays.

It’s an intentional part of how I care for the families I photograph. You deserve an experience that feels considered and personal, especially when the timing doesn’t go quite as planned.

Once your little one arrives, all I ask is that you send me a quick message to share the happy news! From there, we’ll find a date for your newborn session.

And if your baby needs some extra care in the NICU, we’ll wait until you’re all home together and ready. There’s no need to rush that part of your story.

Choosing the Right Time to Take Newborn Pictures

Those first weeks with your baby are going to be full of little moments you’ll want to remember. The way they curl up against your chest, their tiny fingers wrapped around yours, and how naturally they seem to fit into your arms.

When deciding when to take newborn pictures, I always recommend those first 7–14 days. But the most important part of your portraits isn’t getting every detail to line up with a particular date on the calendar.

It’s creating photographs that tell the story of your family as you welcome your newest little one. And if you are wondering how Newborn Photos with siblings will look I share all about that too.

That’s why I love being able to take care of the details before your baby arrives, because knowing when to take newborn pictures is only one part of the planning.

From our Coffee Consult and wardrobe styling to preparing for your in-home session, we’ll have everything thoughtfully considered so you can simply enjoy the experience when the day comes.

You won’t have to worry about whether your baby is sleepy enough, whether everyone knows what to do, or how to turn those little everyday interactions into beautiful portraits. I’ll guide you through it.

If you’re expecting and wondering when to take newborn pictures, I’d love to help you plan an experience that feels just right for your family.

And my support doesn’t end when the session is over. Once your portraits are ready, I’ll help you choose your favorites and take care of creating the artwork you’ll enjoy in your home. No figuring out where to print, designing an album yourself, or adding another project to your list. It’s all thoughtfully handled for you.

I’d love for you to explore my Virginia Beach newborn photography experience and see what we could create together for your growing family.