What Age Is Best for Baby Photos?

One of the questions I'm asked most often by parents is:

"What age is best for baby photos?"

The truth is, there isn't one perfect answer.

Every stage of your baby's first year brings something completely different, from those sleepy newborn cuddles to cheeky smiles, wobbly sitting and first birthday celebrations.

The best age for baby photos simply depends on which chapter of your family's story you'd like to remember.

Let's take a look at what you can expect at each stage.

newborn baby boy in beautiful blue wrap at home studio bedfordshire

Newborn (5–21 Days)

Those first few weeks pass by in a blur.

Tiny fingers.

Curled-up sleepy poses.

Soft yawns.

The little details that seem impossible to forget—but somehow change so quickly.

Newborn sessions are all about preserving those precious first days while your baby is still wonderfully tiny.

If you're hoping for traditional newborn portraits, it's best to book your session during pregnancy so your due date can be reserved in the diary.

Curious baby exploring during a natural baby photoshoot in Ickwell, Bedfordshire.

Around 6–12 Weeks

Many parents think they've missed their opportunity if they didn't book a newborn session.

The truth is, you've simply moved into a different chapter.

Around this age babies become much more alert.

You'll often see beautiful eye contact, stretches, tiny expressions and the beginnings of those first social smiles.

These sessions have a completely different feel, but they're every bit as special.

Baby laughing during a milestone photography session at Phoebe Berridge Photography

Around 3–5 Months

Your baby's personality really begins to shine.

Smiles become easier to capture.

They're fascinated by faces.

They love interaction.

And although they may not be sitting independently just yet, they're often happy lying on their back, lifting their heads during tummy time and showing wonderful expressions.

Smiling baby celebrating a new milestone during a professional baby photoshoot.

Sitting Babies (Around 6–9 Months)

This is one of my absolute favourite stages to photograph.

Once babies can sit confidently without support, their personalities really come alive.

Expect:

  • Big smiles.

  • Lots of laughter.

  • Tiny claps.

  • Curious expressions.

  • Gorgeous chunky baby rolls.

This is also the perfect age for my My Baby's First Photoshoot sessions, celebrating everything your little one has learnt during those first months.

First Birthday (10–12 Months)

Can you believe a whole year has almost passed?

Whether you're planning a cake smash or simply want timeless portraits before the big birthday celebrations, this is such a lovely milestone to capture.

By now, many babies are crawling, pulling themselves up or even taking their very first steps.

Every session is full of personality, laughter and curiosity.

Baby celebrating their first birthday during a professional cake smash session.

So... What Is the Best Age?

Honestly?

There isn't one.

Every chapter of your baby's first year deserves to be remembered.

Some families choose newborn photographs and return again later for My Baby's First Photoshoot or a Cake Smash Session.

Others discover me later in their baby's first year.

Neither is right or wrong.

The important thing is capturing your family's story at a stage that feels meaningful to you.

Because before you know it, your tiny newborn becomes a curious baby...

...and then suddenly a toddler.

toddler making eye contact during a my babys first photoshoot session in befordshire

Ready to Capture This Chapter?

Whether your baby is just a few days old or already sitting proudly on their own, I'd love to help you capture this special stage.

If you're unsure which session would be best for your family, I'd be more than happy to chat through the options and help you choose the perfect one.

After all, every chapter deserves to be remembered.

The Thompson family experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography

I first met the Thompson family in 2016 when they had their first child. It has been a pleasure to capture both their little ones and follow their journey. I look forward to seeing them early next year for a cake smash session.

Why was having professional photographs important to you?

Children grow up way too fast & they change so quickly, so I wanted to capture their current personality in photos!

Tell us about your experience with Phoebe Berridge Photography? 

Phoebe was brilliant, so calm around the children & understands the difficulties in getting them to have photos on demand. 

What does it mean to you to have meaningful memories?

Photo memories are super important & stay with you forever! I want to look back and remember exactly how my children were cheeky & didn’t really want a photo but somehow ended up looking innocent and gorgeous! 

What do you love about your images?

 I love how you captured their personality’s, cheeky little faces and the love they have for each other. 

How important for you was it to trust your photographer?

Trust is key with photographers especially at a time where social distancing is still in place, Phoebe was professional and everything was cleaned to the inch of its life. While we were in the session I honestly forgot there was even a virus in the world. 

What did you trust about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

Knowing how good Phoebe is with newborn babies gave me great confidence, she is kind hearted and it shows in her work, attitude and feelings towards the children. 

What would you tell others about Phoebe Berridge Photography?

I would say 100% go see Phoebe - she cares for your children exactly how you would want them to be cared for, has the patience of a saint and knows how to get the children to interact in the correct ways!

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Why to book a baby's first photo-shoot?

Watching your baby grow is such an incredible experience. But it happens so quickly. It probably feels like just yesterday you found out you were carrying this bundle of joy. There is so much to organize before baby arrives and sometimes photographs aren’t on that list of things to remember.

 

Having newborn photographs there is such a short window for this most photographers including myself will only do them within the first 14 days of birth. As this is when baby is most sleepy, calm and relaxed.

 

Which is why in 2018 we introduced my baby’s first photo-shoot ideal for all babies 5 weeks to 12 months old. Meaning you never need to worry it’s to late to capture beautiful images of your baby. 

 

Each of our my baby’s first photo-shoot sessions are different, this comes down to their age and what baby is able to do. But none the less they are all still amazing and leave with beautiful images which is my true aim.

 

Your baby will change every day from the moment they are born, cherish every second of that and capture it as often as possible with images you can share with them later in life and look back on for the rest of yours. It’s a beautiful thing watching your baby grow, change and laugh.

 

So if you’ve missed out on newborn images or you haven’t yet got round to book your baby in for images do so today and I promise you wont be disappointed. 

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Top 10 questions I get asked by prospective clients?

 

1.I don’t know when to book my session as my baby isn’t here yet?

A.That’s absolutely fine, we recommend booking you’ve newborn session in after your 20-week scan due to the availability we have available every month. But of course you can book later than this too. We book you in on a floating date so that if baby arrives early or a little late we can move you’ve session accordingly.

2.Can we have sibling/ parent shots too?

A.Absolutely! I love getting the whole family involved in session and I feel it’s so important to get as many family images as you can when you have the opportunity to do so.

3.What should we bring with us to the session?

A.I will send you a detailed email once you’ve session is booked in depending on the type of session you have gone for will depend on what you’ve required to bring but we will make sure you have all the details within plenty of time.

4.Am I too late to have photographs of my baby, he/she is over 3 weeks old?

A.No of course not, we now offer a baby’s first photo shoot which is ideally for babies 5 weeks+. Because we know how full on it can be within those first few weeks and you forget to book in a newborn session. The baby’s first photo-shoot is more awake shots and baby as they are but they are still absolutely beautiful.

5.How much do you charge?

A.This depends on the session type you can find the information and session cost for each individual session we offer on the pages. All our product pricing in over on the product page.

6.Can we have a mixture of studio and location for our session?

A.If you’ve having a family session they absolutely yes! We do not offer mixed for newborn and baby photograph. However the location will be within Ickwell due to the length of your session.

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7.Where are you based?

A.A beautiful little village called Ickwell in Bedfordshire.

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8.My baby doesn’t sleep; will you still be able to get nice photographs?

A.Yes, it can sometimes make the session a little trickier but don’t worry we have it covered. With lots of other beautiful ideas and things we can do if baby will not settle and sleep. If baby is too unsettled, we will rearrange you’ve session free of charge. As we want you to go away with the most beautiful images.

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9.Are you trained in posing and safety?

A.Yes, I am, I attend training every year and hold my certification for newborn health and safety. You can find my certificates on the website if you wish to view these.

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10.How early should I book my session in?

A.As early as you possibly can if you have a set date in mind the sooner the better but we will always do our best to accommodate you’ve needs.