Babies grow and develop rapidly during their first year, and capturing these precious moments is something every parent values. As a professional baby photographer in Brisbane, I often get asked about the best times to schedule a photoshoot. I photograph babies at all ages, but I have some specific recommendations based on your baby’s age. Here’s a guide to help you identify the ideal stages for baby photography throughout your baby’s first year.
When Should I Photograph My Baby?
Key Stages in the First Year
1-2 days (Fresh 48 Session)
Fresh 48 photography is ideal for families who wish to document the first few hours of their baby’s life. These sessions occur within the first 48 hours of birth, either at the hospital or at home, depending on your location. As your Brisbane newborn photographer, I am on call and prepared to capture all the newborn sweetness before the 48-hour window closes. These early moments are fleeting and precious, making them a beautiful memory to treasure.
5-10 days (Newborn Session)
During this stage, your baby sleeps most of the day, making it the best time to capture those sleepy, wrapped newborn photos with props. My newborn photography sessions in Brisbane happens in the comfort of your home, ensuring a stress-free experience for you and your baby. It’s best to schedule your newborn photoshoot before your baby is born to secure the perfect timing.
2 – 6 weeks
While it’s still possible to do a newborn session during this time, the earlier, the better. Babies approaching the six-week mark are more wakeful and less likely to pose in those sleepy positions. I always inform my clients that while I will do my best to capture some sleepy poses, it’s likely their baby will be awake and wrapped for most of the session.
7 weeks – 2 months
During this period, your baby will be more alert, awake, and potentially quite fussy. For babies of this age, I recommend lifestyle images with parents and siblings to capture the genuine, candid moments of family life.
3 – 5 months
The three-month milestone is when your baby starts to show their personality. This stage is good for capturing their first smiles and interactions. As babies approach the five-month mark, I encourage parents to wait until their baby is sitting independently for a Sitter session, allowing for a greater variety of images.
6 – 10 months (Sitter Session)
During this stage, babies typically begin to sit confidently on their own. Sitter sessions are incredibly popular because your baby has begun sitting up but is not yet crawling. This age is perfect for capturing happy and smiley faces, as they have not developed any stranger danger and will give us some gorgeous expressions.
11 – 13 months (First Birthday Session)
Around this time, it’s perfect to celebrate your baby’s first birthday with a smash & splash session! Options include a cake smash, fruit bath, or hot air balloon settings to mark this fantastic milestone. Alternatively, you might opt for a natural family photoshoot without any props. Whatever you choose, I can tailor the session to capture your baby’s unique personality and the joy of this special occasion.
I hope you find this information helpful! Please keep in mind, your baby is never “too old” for a photoshoot. Embrace each stage and capture your baby’s beautiful journey through life.
I look forward to meeting you and your baby soon and creating timeless memories together.
As a professional baby photographer in Brisbane, I offer a range of baby photography packages tailored to suit each stage of your baby’s first year. Whether you’re looking for candid baby photography, or artistic baby portraits, I provide essential baby photography tips and a baby photoshoot checklist to ensure a successful and enjoyable session.
From lifestyle newborn photography to creative baby photography ideas, I aim to document each unique stage of your baby’s growth.
