WHEN IS THE BEST AGE TO PHOTOGRAPH YOUR BABY?
When is the best time to photograph your baby? A Hobart Photographer’s Guide
As a Hobart family and newborn photographer, I often get asked: “When is the ideal time to photograph my baby?”. And the truth is, there's isn’t one.
Each age and stage of your baby's first year is beautiful and unique, so it really comes down to you, your family and what you want to capture.
Here's a breakdown to help you decide the best time to photograph your baby.
The newborn stage (1–4 weeks)
In these early weeks, your baby is adjusting to life outside the womb. They spend most of their time sleeping, feeding, and snuggling. Their movements are reflexive, and they find comfort in being curled up, swaddled, and close to you, making it the perfect time for a baby-led newborn session.
This time can be a blur. Memories of those early days will fade, so you’ll be forever grateful to have this time captured forever. Think lots of photos of their tiny hands/feet and flaky newborn skin!
Welcoming a photographer into your home might feel a bit overwhelming as you’re adjusting to parenthood and recovering from birth (but don’t worry, I’m here to make it as easy and relaxing as possible).
The transition stage (8-12 weeks)
Some families don’t feel up to scheduling a photoshoot in the first 4 weeks and need a little more time to settle into parenthood, and that’s ok!
Around 8 weeks your baby becomes more awake and aware of the world around them. You’ll notice them making eye contact, smiling, and starting to respond to voices and faces, making it the perfect time to capture their developing personality.
Their neck strength is improving; their skin has cleared up and they’re starting to get deliciously chubby. They may not sleep during the session, but we can focus on capturing all those gorgeous smiles and interactions.
We can still hold this session at your home, but many of my clients choose to venture outside for a family photoshoot.
The sitter stage (5–8 months)
This stage is often overlooked, but it’s one of my favourite ages to photograph!
Babies at this age are sitting up with either support or independently, giving them a whole new view of the world. They are curious, playful, and love to interact with parents and siblings. Their personalities start to shine through with big smiles, giggles, and babbling. They also love exploring textures and grabbing objects.
Many of my clients choose to book a ‘milestone’ shoot at this age!
Navigating naps can sometimes be a bit tricky at this age, so shorter sessions are ideal to match your baby’s attention span.
The toddler stage (12–15 months)
Congratulations, you survived the first year! Your baby is now officially a ‘toddler’, taking their first steps (or, let’s face it, running) and exploring their newfound independence. They are busy, curious, and love to imitate what they see.
Language starts to blossom with simple words, and they start to show strong preferences and emotions. Every day is filled with discovery, play, and joy!
This age is perfect for booking an outdoor family session at one of Hobart's beautiful parks or beaches, giving your little one plenty of room to move and play. Parents often book a baby photoshoot at this age to celebrate their little one’s first birthday!
Expect lots of hilariously candid moments filled with laughter, discovery and lots of love.
Are there any ‘bad’ times to photograph your baby?
Every stage of your baby's first year is special and offers unique moments worth capturing, BUT there are a couple of stages that can be a bit more challenging to photograph.
From 4-8 weeks babies can become harder to sooth, more likely to get newborn acne and generally be a bit more unsettled.
When your baby had just started crawling can also be tricky once start to navigate the world around them. They’re usually pretty ‘head down, bum up’ and will become frustrated if you try to keep them in one place for too long.
Ready to book your session?
Whether you're looking for gorgeous photos of your teeny tiny newborn or some lively toddler snapshots to celebrate their first birthday, there's no wrong time to book a photoshoot for your baby (and you).
There are pros and cons to each age and stage, so it really comes down to what you feel will suit your family best!
Ready to book your session or have questions? Feel free to reach out, and let's create lasting memories of your family's journey.
