The best time to schedule your Dallas newborn photography session

Dallas newborn photography session // Family photos by Meredith Petit

You’re expecting a new precious addition to your family and know you want to capture these fleeting moments as your family evolves, but when is the best time to schedule a Dallas newborn photography session? While many photographers will recommend the best time to capture your baby is within the first two weeks, stunning photos can be captured at any stage.

In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits of scheduling a newborn photoshoot at 10 days, 1 month, and 2+ months—so you can choose the perfect timing for your little one.

Dallas Newborn Photography at 10 Days Old: The Classic Sweet Spot

The first 10-14 days of life is probably the most recommended timeframe for newborn photography from classic newborn photographers. At 10 days old, babies are still in their sleepy, curled-up phase, making it easy to capture their fresh newborn goodness.

Benefits of a 10-Day Newborn Photography Session:

Deep Sleep: Babies are very sleepy at this stage, allowing photographers to pose them without disruption.
Soft, Fresh Features: Delicate newborn details—like tiny fingers, curled toes, and soft skin—are beautifully preserved.
Minimal Baby Acne: Most newborns develop baby acne around weeks 3-4, so early sessions capture clear, smooth skin.

Newborn Photography at 1 Month Old: Expressive and Awake

By 4 weeks old, your baby is more alert and developing unique facial expressions. While they may not curl up as easily as a 10-day-old, they are still small enough for cozy, swaddled portraits.

Benefits of a 1-Month-Old Newborn Photography Session:

More Eye Contact: Babies start to become more alert and may spend more of the session with eyes open.

More time for mom to recover: Waiting until the 1 month mark can give mom more time to recover and the whole family a little more time to get into their new routine with baby. You may feel a bit more comfortable in your clothes and ready to be photographed around this time.

Newborn Photography at 2-3 Month Old: Smiling and Playful

By 2-3 months old, your baby is probably smiling and becoming more playful. While they probably won’t be sleepy, they are the perfect age to capture their personality, their little features, and your family life.

Benefits of a 2-3 Month-Old Newborn Session:

Settling into your new normal: Usually by 2-3 months, you have developed a routine, started to figure out what your baby likes, dislikes and general preferences.

Smiling: Babies are really starting to look like little versions of themselves at this point. They may be smiling, gaining more neck control and starting to play a bit more. This is a great stage to capture life as it is and get more variety from baby.

So what’s the right time for me?

There really is no “right” time to photograph your newborn. It completely depends on you and your family, your preferences and desires. I will say that I have personally found for the effortless, casual, authentic look in the photos that I capture, one month old seems to be the sweet spot. We are still capturing that fresh newborn sweetness, while giving you a little more time to recover and adjust to your new rhythms.

Edited using The Archetype Process

I’m Meredith, a Dallas based family & newborn photographer, mother of three who is passionate about creating images that you’ll love.

Less but better is a constant battle in my life. With so much being thrown at us daily, begging us to add more and more to our lives, I find myself fighting against the urge to purchase yet another thing I don’t actually need. What I really desire is more meaning. I want to fill my home with furniture that’s passed down from my grandparents, memories from our travels, photos of my babies, and handmade heirlooms. I want to take the time to save up for something with meaning versus purchasing a quick fix. I want to add value to my life and home, not clutter.

That’s why I believe so strongly in providing a full service experience, from planning to session to heirloom quality prints and albums. As a busy mother of three myself, I know that you don’t have any extra time in your day, which is why I want to take the load off of you and put the quality straight into your hands – a cherished memento, a timeless piece of art to add to your life.

Get to know more about me, or reach out to inquire about a newborn or family session here. I’d love to plan a special session for you.