Recently, I shot this adorable family session in Dallas at my natural light studio. Originally, the mom had wanted to schedule the photos in April right after her youngest daughter’s birth. But, as often happens in the newborn days, life got busy and we kept having to reschedule. We ultimately weren’t able to set a date until her baby was three months old, but I’m in love with how these photos turned out! Having the baby photos at this point was the perfect way to capture this little girl’s emerging personality. With her sweet smiles and big bow, she totally captured my heart! It was extra meaningful to have the whole family—including her fur-siblings—as part of the session too!

So, when is the best time for baby photos? As a photographer for dozens of babies across the DFW area, my answer is simple: any time! All babies are beautiful, regardless of their age, and there is no “perfect” time to schedule your newborn photos. In fact, I love all the stages and milestones so much that I now offer a Baby Year Membership to allow parents to book multiple sessions throughout their baby’s first year. 

If you’re hoping to book first-time photos, here is a guide on what you can expect for different age ranges. You can also check out my tips for getting the most out of your newborn photography session. 

Newborn Photos in the First Two Weeks:

If you’re looking to have those sleepy photos where baby is swaddled into a little ball, this is probably the  time frame for your family. At this age, your baby will likely sleep through the session and they rarely mind being placed in tight poses. If you’d like to have your baby photographed right after birth, you can also contact me about fresh-48 photos, which are shot within the first 48-hours after birth, usually at the hospital, birth center, or your own home.

Newborn Photos in Weeks Two through Four

As a mom of three, I know just how much babies change in the first few weeks! While the changes in the first month may not seem drastic, there are subtle shifts that can make a difference in newborn sessions. For example, at this age, babies start to have longer wake-windows, so they may be more alert during the session. They can still be swaddled, but they might make eye contact and have those cute, earnest facial expressions.

Baby Photos at Four Weeks or Older 

As your baby moves out of the newborn stage and into the infant stage between months one and two, you can start to see their personality emerge. Depending on the baby, you might start to see social smiles around one month or later. While I don’t usually swaddle babies for photos at this stage, I love photographing their sweet little outfits, their bright eyes, and cheeky grins. Occasionally, we can still have those sleepy photographs during this age range, but by around three months they will usually be awake for the whole session. In this case, I aim for lifestyle photos—interactive images that capture authentic moments, rather than posed shots. This is a great opportunity for family photos (though I will always include family members at newborn sessions too). As in the family session featured here, pets are welcome too! 

If you are hoping to schedule baby photos but you’re afraid you’ve missed your window for a newborn session, this is your sign that it’s not too late! Even if she’s no longer “brand new,” your baby is still adorable, and you’ll never regret having keepsake photos from your little one’s first year.

Ana Dufreche is a luxury, lifestyle photographer servicing the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. She specializes in motherhood, family, and newborn photography. Her sessions take place outdoors, in-home, and at her studio. The ADP studio is located in Downtown Dallas!