The ideal timing for scheduling your Boston newborn photoshoot can be a matter of opinion when it comes to your photographer. If you’re planning a lifestyle newborn photoshoot the truth is that there is no *right answer*. The process, locations we use, and style of photographs are going to look very similar whether your baby is less than 2 weeks old or 2.5 months old. As a veteran newborn photographer, I have worked with babies at both of these ages (and every age in between). I love them all! Let’s chat about the main differences!

Scheduling Your Boston Newborn Photoshoot at 2 Weeks (or thereabouts)

Most studio newborn photographers require (or at least highly recommend) scheduling your newborn pictures within the first two weeks of birth. Generally speaking, babies at this age are more sleepy, curled up, tiny and moldable for various poses. They are also more likely to be content when swaddled up since they just recently exited the tight space of the womb. Their little feet and hands are peely and wrinkled and they have that very adorably fresh look.

Things to consider at this age:

• The first two weeks are truly a sleep-deprived blur. If you are someone who is easily overwhelmed and wants the house and everything to feel perfectly ready, this might not be an ideal timeframe.
• You may still be dealing with pain and discomfort from birth.
• Big siblings who are sharing mom and dad for the first time may not be thrilled yet about the new addition. This is hard to predict! Some siblings are enamored right away and for others, it’s a slowwwww burn.

Delaying Your Newborn Photos Until 1-3 Months of Age

Choosing to schedule your newborn photoshoot when baby is a little bit of an older newborn is becoming a popular choice. By 4-10 weeks of age, *most* babies are making a lot more eye-contact, varied expressions, and even the first social smiles. Their schedule and feeding times become a little less chaotic and more predictable. They are usually able to take in a little more milk at each feeding so the likelihood of needing to stop and feed during the session reduces. There’s also a little more time for the recovering parent to heal, and any siblings to warm up and start to bond with their new baby.

Things to consider at this age:

• Babies do tend to be more alert (though not always) so if you’re set on wanting sleeping shots, this might not be the right choice.
• Babies start to fill out around the 1 month mark so while still tiny, they won’t have that wrinkly, curled up look.

The Bottom Line: Which is Right for Your Family?

The truth is that there is no perfect time and not all babies adhere to these characteristics. I have had very awake 2 week olds and very sleepy 6 week olds. If it were me trying to decide for my own family, the top two considerations for me would be: would I like more time to recover and feel ready? Do I think my bigger kid usually needs more or less time to adjust to new things?

No matter what timing you choose for your family, I can guarantee you will love and treasure these photos. 2 months old might seem “old” but when your child is 6 years old and you look back, it will seem infinitely young.

Want to see more newborn photoshoot examples? Check me out on Instagram!