Need info on doing a newborn shoot!

I have a friend who has just given birth to a baby girl. My question is basically how long should we wait to do the newborn shoot in regards to having a baby that is posable and yet still sleeping? I did a shoot a couple of weeks ago for a couple with a 5 week old that was wide awake for the entire session. We got some nice pics but none of the sleeping shots we all adore. I don't want to get them over before the baby is ready to transit easily but I don't want to wait too long and have the same problem as last time. What is the best age??

Yea I'd do it sooner rather than later ... < 2 weeks old would be preferable.

Can you go to them? I'm not a New born photographer, but i think a lot of them travel to the babies homes

Agreed with about, the younger the better for those type of shots

... personally I like it when they're bit older and more animated!

I have lovely shots of my daughter from when she was a day old so it's never to soon. Of course now that she is a toddler pics are cuter but there is something I like about the ones from when she was first born.

I would prefer to be able to do them in my studio since I have all the lighting, b/g, props and such here. I will advise them to try to make it in the next 2 weeks if at all possible.

Moved out of photo sharing section

I do all my newborns 5-10 days old with a rare occasion of up to 2 weeks. I prefer one week old.

Like others have said, there really isn't no 'real' perfect time to take baby pictures because it's always a good time! We just had our first little one and she is 3 weeks old and every day it seems like something has slightly changed on her. Within the first week of being born, that is the lowest weight the baby will ever be, and will typically gain up to 1/2 ounce a day and by one week be at their birth weight.

Also, babies will eat every 2-3 hours, so see if your friend has a feeding schedule that they stick to, so she can travel after the baby feeds. But this will also give you roughly a time line of what 'moods' the baby will be in. My little one after a feeding is in a 'milk coma' and I can pose her any way I want without her fussing.

And as far as travel, that is up to momma and baby. My wife went to Target by herself 3 days after having our little one and we traveled to my parents (45 mins away) the very next weekend. My sister who had her baby a month ago, left for the first time (going to my parents as well). So every situation is different. I know you have the stuff at your studio, but doing the shoot at their home will make those pictures even more unique and special to them because that's the house when 'baby' came home. It's kind of depressing seeing babies in the same bucket with the same background. Cute yes, Original no. Plus being at the home is more comfortable for momma and baby and may get more 'natural' emotion.

It's never too soon. They change rapidly from day to day. As for sleeping baby shots, I don't really care for them. Eyes open shots are far more compelling to me.

I have always followed the ten day rule. (Actually, I honestly don't think its an official rule!) However, I always shoot before day 11. Although, this doesn't always guarantee sleeping babies! The last two babies I shot were a 9 day old and a 10 day old and BOTH were wide awake the entire time I was there. I love sleeping baby shots, and it makes it a million times easier to pose them, but who says you can't get great pictures while they're wide awake? My all time favorite image (right now) is of the 10 day old baby.

nb's should be done with in the first 10 days of life. And you may STILL get an uncoperative baby! I had one a few weeks ago. SCREEMED if she was not swaddled or covered up. Made for any of those cute naked baby posses impossible! You just need to be patient and work with the baby. sometimes it can take 2-4 hrs to get all your shots in. patience is the key

Most people recommend doing a newborn photo shoot within the first ten days.Sleeping newborns look sweet and peaceful which is a good thing for photos.