Who doesn’t love the thought of beautifully lit photos of their brand-new baby swaddled perfectly in a muslin blanket with a tranquil look of peace on their sweet face? Chances are at some point during the preparation for baby’s arrival, you have looked through (and maybe even planned) newborn photos that you will cherish for years to come.
However, the reality of the first few weeks of life with a new baby may look different than you think. Exhaustion, the need to heal physically and mentally, a steep learning curve and other challenges can mean a photoshoot is the last thing on your mind when baby arrives.
We sat down with Chris Higginbottom, a Victoria newborn photographer, to get the real story behind newborn photos and learn why there is no rush to capture these memories.
Q: Why do moms feel pressure to book newborn photos so early after birth?
A: For years, the photography industry has centered around the two-week window. That timing became popular because babies are sleepier and curl easily into posed positions. But somewhere along the way, that industry standard became a rule and many moms internalized the message that if they didn’t do photos immediately, they missed their chance.
The problem is that the first two weeks postpartum are often physically painful, hormonally intense, exhausting and emotionally overwhelming. You’re healing. You’re learning your baby. You may be recovering from surgery. You may be navigating baby blues or postpartum depression. And yet the messaging has often been: “Book now or you’ll miss it.” Moms simply don’t know there is an alternative.
Q: What is the “right” time for newborn photos?
A: There is no single “right” time. There is only the right time for you.
If a mom feels excited and ready at two weeks—wonderful. But if she feels exhausted, emotional, swollen or simply not herself yet, that’s normal too.
Photographs should preserve a moment—not add pressure to it.
Many families are surprised to learn that beautiful newborn portraits can happen at five to 10 weeks. For some moms, that timing feels much more manageable physically and emotionally. You haven’t failed if you’re not ready early. You’re listening to your body and your family’s needs.
Q: How are babies different at five to 10 weeks compared to the traditional newborn window?
A: At this stage, babies are still tiny, but they’re much more expressive.
They:
• Make eye contact
• Offer early smiles
• Stay awake for parts of the session
• React to their family—smiling at mom or a sibling, holding their gaze and recognizing familiar faces
At this stage, babies aren’t just being posed, they’re interacting. The portraits begin to capture real moments of connection between baby and family.
Q: What should moms know if they feel they’ve already “missed” the newborn photo window?
A: You have not missed it. There is no magical expiration date on documenting your baby.
Babies at six weeks, eight weeks, even 12 weeks are still very much newborns. What you may have missed in curled poses, you gain in connection and expression.
Q: How can moms give themselves permission to prioritize recovery and mental wellbeing without guilt?
A: By remembering this: a supported and healthy mother is more important than any photograph. We talk a lot about documenting babies. We don’t talk nearly enough about protecting mothers.
After my first baby was born, I experienced postpartum depression. When I think back to those early weeks, I remember tears, exhaustion, physical pain and the feeling that I was simply trying to get through the day. Nursing hurt, I couldn’t sit comfortably and life felt chaotic and overwhelming. I loved my baby deeply, but emotionally and physically, I was far from okay.
I had booked newborn portraits for two weeks, I was not ready and I had to cancel. At the time, there were no other options. If you missed that narrow window, it was simply gone. That experience shaped how I approach newborn photography today.
Q: What should parents look for when choosing a photographer if they want a more relaxed, connection-focused experience?
Look for a photographer whose work centres on connection, not just poses. In their images, you should see parents holding their baby naturally, siblings leaning in, eye contact and moments that feel genuine.
Most importantly, trust your emotional response. When you look at a photographer’s work, do you feel calm, tenderness and connection? The right photographer should make you exhale.
The most meaningful newborn portraits aren’t about perfect posing or rushing to meet a narrow window—they’re about giving families the space to be together and capturing that connection in a way that will feel timeless for years to come.
