Missed the first few weeks? You haven't missed your chance to capture beautiful photographs of your baby.
One of the questions I sometimes hear from parents is, "Is my baby too old for a newborn photoshoot?"
The simple answer is no.
Although the first two weeks are often considered the ideal time for those sleepy, curled-up newborn photographs, there are plenty of lovely reasons to photograph your baby a little later.
Whether your baby is six weeks, three months or even older, there's still so much worth remembering.
During their first couple of weeks, babies tend to sleep more deeply and naturally curl into the positions they were comfortable in before birth.
This makes it easier to capture those classic newborn photographs, with tiny hands tucked beneath their cheeks and little feet curled up close.
But every baby is different, and those first few weeks can pass in a blur of feeding, recovering and adjusting to life with a new arrival.
Sometimes booking a photoshoot simply isn't a priority at the time. And that's absolutely fine.
At six weeks, your baby is beginning to become more alert and interested in the world around them.
They may spend more time with their eyes open, make eye contact and even begin offering those first little smiles.
Whilst we might not achieve all the traditional sleepy newborn poses, we can capture something equally special: your baby's emerging personality.
I adapt every session to suit the individual baby, rather than expecting them to fit into a particular set of poses.
As babies grow, their expressions become increasingly varied.
Those wide eyes, little smiles, stretches and curious looks all make wonderful photographs.
At this age, I tend to focus on more relaxed, natural portraits, capturing your baby comfortably on their back or in your arms.
Parent and sibling photographs are particularly lovely at this stage too.
The emphasis is always on creating beautiful images that reflect your baby exactly as they are.
Once your baby can sit confidently without support, usually around six to nine months, it's a wonderful time for a sitter photoshoot.
This is one of my favourite stages to photograph.
Babies are often full of expressions, smiles and curiosity, but aren't yet quite as mobile as they will be a few months later.
Sitter sessions are a lovely way to document this stage before their first birthday.
I've been photographing babies since 2017, and one thing I've learnt is that no two babies are the same.
My warm, comfortable garden studio in Anna Valley, near Andover, is designed to provide a relaxed environment for both babies and parents.
Sessions are always led by your baby, with plenty of time for feeds, cuddles and breaks whenever they're needed.
I favour simple, timeless photographs with neutral colours and minimal props, keeping the focus firmly on your baby and the little details you'll want to remember.
It's easy to feel that you've missed a milestone, particularly when those early weeks have flown by.
But the truth is that every stage of your baby's first year is worth remembering.
The sleepy newborn days, the first smiles, those wonderfully expressive faces and the moment they learn to sit up are all fleeting.
Your baby doesn't need to be a particular age to deserve beautiful photographs.
If you're wondering whether your baby is too old for a newborn session, please get in touch. I'd be happy to discuss their age and development and recommend the most suitable type of photoshoot.
I'm based near Andover in Hampshire, welcoming families from Basingstoke, Winchester, Salisbury and the surrounding areas.
