Why the Best Time for Newborn Photos is Between 5-15 Days Old

Andriana Dyakova

3 days ago5 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

Welcoming a newborn into the world is one of the most joyous and magical moments in life. Parents are eager to capture and preserve those fleeting, precious early days, and one of the best ways to do so is with newborn photography. But when is the best time to schedule a newborn photoshoot? The optimal time frame for newborn portraits is typically between 5 to 15 days old. This period is ideal for capturing the essence of your newborn’s early days, and here's why.

1. Newborns Are Still In Their Natural, Sleepy Phase

One of the key reasons Why the Best Time for Newborn Photos is Between 5-15 Days Old is because babies are still in their natural, sleepy phase. Newborns this age tend to sleep for long periods throughout the day, making it easier to pose them in the gentle, curled-up positions that many parents love.

Newborn photographers often use soothing techniques, such as gentle rocking, white noise, and swaddling, to help the baby fall into a deep sleep. When they are deeply asleep, babies are more likely to remain in a relaxed state, which is essential for getting the soft, peaceful images parents want. During this early stage, babies tend to sleep up to 16-18 hours a day, and as they grow older, they begin to sleep less and stay awake for longer stretches.

2. Posing Is Easier and Safer

Newborn photographers specialize in capturing these tiny, delicate little ones in ways that highlight their cuteness and innocence. Babies between 5 and 15 days old are still very flexible, which allows them to curl into those adorable fetal positions that are so popular in newborn photography.

At this stage, babies haven’t developed the stronger reflexes and movements that come with later weeks, which can make it more challenging and less safe to pose them. Older babies have more control over their muscles and movements, which can make posing more difficult. The earlier time frame also means babies are still used to being tightly swaddled, which helps them feel secure and relaxed during the shoot.

Additionally, newborn photographers are highly trained in handling babies safely, but it’s essential for parents to know that the best time for these poses is when the baby is still delicate enough to be easily adjusted into the positions required.

3. Less Risk of Baby Acne and Skin Imperfections

Newborns between 5 and 15 days old are less likely to have the skin issues that tend to appear later in the first few weeks of life, such as baby acne or rashes. Baby acne is common and typically appears around the second to third week of life, often as tiny red or white bumps on the baby’s face. This can obscure the baby’s soft, perfect skin, which many parents hope to capture in their newborn photos.

While baby acne isn’t harmful, it can take a few weeks to clear up. By scheduling your newborn photoshoot before these skin imperfections appear, you are more likely to capture your baby's flawless complexion. Even though newborn acne or redness is completely natural, it’s understandable that many parents prefer to have their baby’s photos taken before such blemishes become visible.

4. Easier to Capture the Tiny Details

Newborns grow so quickly, and in those first few days, they are incredibly small and delicate. This stage is perfect for photographing the tiny details that make your baby unique, such as their tiny hands, feet, ears, and wrinkles. Between 5 and 15 days, your baby’s features are still incredibly small, soft, and malleable, making them perfect subjects for close-up shots that highlight how tiny they are in the grand scheme of life.

The hands and feet are often photographed in these sessions, as well as the soft skin folds on their necks and wrists. You may also choose to photograph the baby swaddled in a blanket or posed with special props, such as their first teddy bear or a family heirloom. These shots capture the essence of just how small and precious your little one is, and the earlier you take them, the more prominent that tiny, newborn quality will be.

5. Capturing the "Newborn Look”

There is something inherently special about the way a baby looks in those first few days of life. Their skin is smooth, their eyes are often still blue or gray, and they have that "newborn look" that is so fleeting.

As babies grow, they start to develop more alert expressions and their features begin to change. Their eyes may start to shift color, their faces may become rounder, and their features may become more defined. Parents often want to preserve the innocence and softness of their baby's first days, and there’s no better time to do this than when they are between 5 to 15 days old.

Capturing the early days ensures that the look of a fresh newborn, with all their tiny details, is immortalized forever. This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and having photos taken during the first two weeks ensures that you’ll have timeless memories of this special time.

6. The Window of Opportunity for Sibling and Family Photos

If you plan to include siblings or parents in the newborn photoshoot, the early days are also an ideal time for this. Older siblings, especially toddlers, are less likely to get overwhelmed or frustrated by the process when the baby is younger. Babies that are between 5 and 15 days old are typically more peaceful and cooperative during family photoshoots. Older babies might become fussy or distracted more easily, making family photos less relaxed and harder to capture.

Additionally, siblings are often more comfortable around a newborn who is still in that “sleepy” phase, which helps create more natural, loving shots. Parents can often be more relaxed themselves, as the baby is easy to hold and pose without worrying about their movements.

7. Health and Safety Considerations

Finally, another reason to schedule newborn photos within the 5 to 15-day window is that it aligns with the baby’s health milestones. By this point, most newborns have completed their first pediatric check-up and are starting to settle into a feeding and sleeping routine. They are also more likely to have passed through the more critical, medically intensive stages of the early newborn period (e.g., jaundice or weight gain concerns), allowing you to focus on their photoshoot without the worry of any immediate health concerns.

Photographers who specialize in newborn sessions are very attuned to these early health and safety considerations and will work to ensure that your baby is as comfortable as possible during the shoot.

Conclusion

The first few weeks of a baby’s life are full of changes and milestones, but the 5 to 15-day period stands out as the ideal time for capturing your newborn in all their soft, sleepy, and tiny glory. From the natural ease of posing to the preservation of those tiny details, this is the optimal time for newborn photography. By choosing this window for your photoshoot, you ensure that you’ll be able to preserve these early moments in the most beautiful and timeless way possible. And years from now, as your baby grows, you’ll be able to look back at those precious images and marvel at how tiny and perfect they once were.