When Is the Best Time for Newborn Photos? What Every New Mum Needs to Know.

If you’re drawn to natural, lifestyle newborn photography, here’s the good news: there’s no one “right” time to have your session, just a different kinds of beautiful.

That said, your baby’s age does play a big part in how your final gallery will look, which is why I always take the time to walk families through their options before we book. My job is to help bring your vision to life and that starts with knowing what to expect.

Why timing matters

When you think of newborn photos, you probably imagine those curled-up, sleepy, wrapped-up images and those are gorgeous. But what you might not realise is that those kinds of poses are only possible in a small window of time after birth.

Newborns change fast. Even a few days makes a difference in how settled, sleepy, or alert they are and that shift affects the kind of photos I'm able to take.

What kind of photographer am I?

I’m not a studio newborn photographer and I don’t use elaborate props or intense posing. Instead, I come to your home. I photograph your baby just as they are, in your arms, on your bed, with their siblings, cuddled in soft light and quiet moments.

I’ll wrap and pose your baby for a few classic shots if they’re settled and sleepy, but most of what I capture is lifestyle-led: gentle, natural moments between you and your baby. No two sessions look the same because no two families are the same.

Newborn age guide: what to expect

Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect at different stages. Both are beautiful, it just depends on the feeling you want your images to have.

✨ Under 10 Days Old

• Baby is sleepier and more flexible

• Easier to wrap and pose

• More likely to get those classic “curled-up” photos

• Sessions feel quieter and more settled

✨ 10 Days to 4+ Weeks

• Baby is more alert and aware of surroundings

• Less wrapping or posing opportunities

• More eye contact, stretching, arms-out-of-the-wrap moments

• Photos show a bit more personality and movement

When booking your newborn session you need to consider the type of final images you want in your gallery:

• Under 10 days old = sleepier and more opportunities to pose them.

• 10+ days = more awake, more stretching, less posing opportunities.

My baby-led approach

I’ll never force a pose or push a baby into anything that doesn’t feel right. Every session is baby-led, which means I follow their cues, take breaks when needed, and work with their natural rhythms.

No matter how old your baby is, their story is worth documenting.

If your dream gallery includes those very sleepy, womb-like images, it’s best to book your session as early as possible, ideally before birth, so we can plan for those early days.

But no matter how old your baby is — 4 days or 4 months — their story is worth documenting. Every season is fleeting. Every version of them is precious.

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💌 Thinking about booking a Newborn Session?

If you’re unsure about when to book or what would suit your family best, I’d love to chat. Let’s create something beautiful, together.

Reach out here to get started or view my newborn portfolio.

I’d love to capture this fleeting season for you.

📍Based in the Sutherland Shire and photographing in-home sessions across Cronulla, Sydney and surrounding areas.