Is there a good age for first newborn portrait

[DD974]

Several months ago a soon to be Grandmother bought a Baby portrait gift certificate and now the baby is 4 weeks old. Given this is my first newborn portrait session I was wondering if now would be a proper age to bring the baby into a studio setting. Being only a few weeks old, I wasn't sure how the baby would react to the strobes either.

[ean36]

Babys grow rapidly at this age. Wait any longer they will no longer be NEWborn photos. Also they can be taken in natural light or hot lights. If flash is used you could shield it from their eyes.

[Captain_Vimes]

That should be fine- I did my son's at a week old when all they do is sleep and their bones are more flexible for those v curled up poses you see. At 4 weeks the baby won't be quite so flexible though... Oh and if you want sleepy poses, make sure they've just had a feed (and been burped) before you start, and the room is nice and warm and they should be asleep in no time! (Heat+food=sleepy baby!)

[Svetlana]

1-2 weeks is the best time IMO for the reasons listed above.

[DD974]

I called the Mom today and setup for weekend of Mar. 14....didn't want to wait another month, thanks everybody for the advice.

[b8264d]

I did my first infant shoot last week, I'll post a few when I get home, and I wish I had not waited until she was two months old, however it was a very fun shoot. The leasons I learned:

Be comfortable with kids and make sure mom and dad are comfortable with you, it makes it easier when you suggest some off the wall ideas. :)

As already mentioned, a good time to shoot is after a feeding and a burping. They aren't so cranky or difficult.

Be prepared for the unexpected. Mom moved the baby and a necklace the baby had fallen across her hand, it's one of my favorite images of the baby.

It helps if the child is you niece. LOL

Don't spend more than an hour or so shooting the baby. My niece didn't seem to mind too much but I started feeling a bit guilty we were shooting her so much after an hour.

There's much more to say but I'll stop. I think you'll do fine.

Jeff