Weird. When my godson was born (He's 6 now) we didn't have any trouble finding a newborn photographer (Remember, you can always go to a sears-like place that does family photos), and even when he was older, we had the pick of the litter.
Then again, it is nearing Christmas and I can see why people would be booking photographers to get christmas cards and such out, and this was in August for my experience with my godson, so months may have different traffic rates.
I've heard it's because newborns are much more "bendable" in the first couple of weeks, if that makes any sense. Photographers are able to capture the really cute shots that are typical of newborn babies. As they get older, their bones become stronger, and they can't be posed in the same ways.
Yeah our photographer made it clear to us to book now for when she is young enough, plus with the holiday season she is booked. So, I am glad she said something!
I was told that you ideally should have newborn photos done between the ages of 7 & 10 days. Just incase anyone was looking for a timeline
Our hospital and many others in the greater Seattle area have on-site photographers that visit you before you leave and do a short photo shoot with your LO. You get to access the online photos for free and can order a CD or prints for what seemed to me standard pricing for pro photography. Hopefully this will be a trend that spreads to more hospitals! I'm sure the photography business makes bank, as pretty much everyone orders at least the CD or a print of their favorite shot and the photographers are just assigned to work at the hospital and do 20 minute photo shoots all day.
Same here my photographer said within 7-14 days old because they sleep more and easier to put them into all those cute positions! But like someone else suggested go up to Sears or some place like that. And our hospital had someone go around and take photos. Only thing with that is that they are 1-2 days old so some of the scratches, redness etc from labor/delivery is still there.
There is never an age that is too old for photos, only too old for newborn photos unfortunately. The previous poster was correct, best time to do them is 7-10 days. We don't do them past two weeks because they won't sleep so you can pose them and won't fit into a lot of our props (baskets, suits, tubs, toys etc.) that were all purchased to accommodate only a very small infant.
@Shosha1- You are completely right.
@LBPhotography- My baby will still fit in all the props lol, she's a peanut
I understand that the baby isn't too old for photos but I wasn't looking for a portrait session in one outfit. There will be plenty of time for portrait sessions.
Just thought I would throw it out there is case someone else was looking to have those adorable pictures done of their LO and not just a portrait session with one outfit on the same backdrop.
@roxy821: Thanks for the info-- I am due in May, but maybe I will start looking around at least at some options now.
Thanks for the heads up! I'm 5 weeks from my due date and haven't even thought much about it. I know the hospital we deliver at has a photographer you can use in the hours following birth but I like the idea of using my own! totally need to get the ball rolling on this one.
i heard the same thing. i decided not to do newborn photos though because they are so damn expensive and my DH doesn't like those style of photos. but when i was looking into maternity photographers, they all said the same thing about newborn photos - must be done within first 10 days!
i just booked mine and my LO is due January 24th :) im excited!
@roxy821: Who says a portrait session has to be one outfit on a backdrop? If it is you're overpaying. Find a photographer who puts as much effort into their baby portait sessions as their newborns...
I'm sure your daughter still feels very small to you. Mine is almost 5 months now and she still seems tiny, but the fact is she is probably bigger than you think. My daughter was born 5lbs 12oz an entire month premature and I waited 9 days to do her portraits and she was already too big for the pea pod suit my sister spent hours crocheting for her for the shoot!
Babies also get way more aware after four weeks and won't tolerate us photographers bullying them into cute poses :P but yeah this was really nice of you to post for other expectant moms! Looks like you saved at least a few people a major disappointment!
Ps dont wait forever for the photographer who will do a "newborn" shoot with her! Tomorrow morning dress her in something cute, set her by a window and snap some pictures with natural window light. Non pro photos are better than no photos and you don't want to miss out! You can do this while you continue your search for a pro to takbetter photos asap :)
@roxy821: i do all types of people photography and i can't imagine telling a family that their chid was too old! i did newborn shots at 3 weeks and yes, while the baby is more alert, i'm still happy to do them for the family! before 10 days is ideal, but i guess i'm more lifestyle than posed shots, so i go with whatever the family is doing and usually at their house. hopefully you find someone that works for you!
I agree with LB Photography. Just find someone who will do a general portrait session. I do photo shoots for any age-- although I do always recommend we do newborns in that 7-10 day window when possible. But just because it isn't ideal to do an older baby certainly doesn't mean it can't be done! Just means the baby might be a bit more awake and unpredictable.
@LBPhotography- Thanks. I know I can do a portrait session but I just hate them for infants. I found a photographer who can fit us in next week at 6 weeks and guess we'll give it a shot and hope they come out okay. But since I think DD is adorable I'm sure I'll love the pictures lol
I photograph newborns. I don't book newborn sessions until the baby is born. Births are unexpected and never due on due dates. I only photograph them within the first 10 days of birth. I book on short notice. My clients never have a problem contacting me ASAP once they have the baby to set something up. I go to them, to their home so they don't have to take the baby out doors. Make sure you look for a photographer that provides that option. the first 10 days is the best, the baby sleeps the best within those days and the photographer is able to get those sleeping poses that every mother loves to get. :)
I don't do outfits either, just hats, bows, Ties for boys, Diaper covers...I like to photograph them at their purest.
ETA: the type of photography I do, I don't photograph between the ages of 2 weeks and 3-4 months, or until the baby is good and comfortable on "tummy time". The reason is because it's difficult to pose babies and they don't really do much but lay there. I never really liked the turnout of these sessions, so I never book them. That's just a professional opinion.
I also photograph newborns. I can't stress enough to pregnant women that they need to contact a photographer at least 3 months before they are due. That's not the fault of the Mom, most don't know that's how it works.
But ya, I won't photograph newborns any more than 14 days. And anything more than 10 is really really pushing it for me. There are instances where a 14 day old sleeps better than a 4 day old, but it's rare. It's a lot smoother when the baby is a couple of days old so they sleep most of the time and are nice and moldable for the cute poses everyone sees on pinterest.
I had a 2 day old on Saturday. It was a perfect session!!!!! :) :) :) :) I agree though, anything after 10 days is pushing it.
@jmaze: I'm jealous! The youngest I've done is 4 days. I can't get a brave enough Mom to let go of her baby any sooner!
Thanks for the advice. I booked someone today who was thankfully open the week after my due date. : )
You must log in to post.
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| AlwaysSunny | 22 |
| Laurenplusalex | 18 |
| Rubbs | 17 |
| goingtotherooftopoflove | 16 |
| RockStar33 | 14 |
| kris325 | 14 |
| Anna10-05-2014 | 14 |
| justvonne | 13 |
| Bebealways | 12 |
| Rachel631 | 11 |
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| pmerr | 2 |
| UK Bride | 1 |
| FloridaGatorBride | 1 |
| Utopia4us | 1 |
| BookaholicBee | 1 |
 JenniferMm |
1 |
| mypinkshoes | 1 |
| AlwaysSunny | 1 |
| Nurse_Bee | 1 |
| Bebealways | 1 |
If anyone is looking to get those adorable newborn photos done of their LO I would highly recommend booking them before your LO is born. I started looking into them when DD was 2 weeks and have been told by photographers that she's too old! Really?! Now she's a month old and I have been spending my time finding a photographer who will do them and it seems like we are running out of time. I'm really disappointed so I figured I would share so noone else had the same issue.