Older Baby vs. Newborn Session — What’s the Difference and Which Is Right for You? | Richmond newborn and baby photographer
Whether your baby is only a few days old or a little older, both are full of amazing moments. Many parents may feel that they’ve missed out on the “newborn window”, but there is “no best time” to photograph your baby. Here’s what to expect from both a newborn session and an older baby session with your Richmond newborn Photographer, so you can make a decision on which session you would like to go for.
- Timing and age – newborn sessions are carried out between eight and 21 days old, when newborn babies are the most sleepy and curliest. This allows your Richmond newborn Photographer to pose your baby in the classic newborn poses.
Older baby sessions (from 2 to 6 months) capture alert expressions, smiling faces, and cheeky personalities. Your baby is usually awake for most of this session, whereas with newborn photo shoots, your baby is mostly asleep, with a few awake shots thrown in.
Both types of photo shoots are beautiful and special – it really does depend on what you want to capture of you for your baby.
2. posing and styling
Newborn sessions usually focus on soft, sleepy poses where the baby is curled up on a beanbag using wraps, blankets, bonnets and headbands. Newborn sessions are seen as more emotive and slower. Older baby sessions are more natural and expressive – this could include images where babies are on the tummy, tiny hands and feet images, sweet profile pictures and cuddles with parents. Both are equally beautiful and equally special.
3. Length of session
Newborn sessions are carried out at a slow pace, and our baby-led. This allows time for feeding, settling and cuddling your baby.
Older baby sessions are usually a little shorter because older babies tire faster, but they give you plenty of expressions during that time!
4. Parent involvement.
In both sessions, parents often end up joining for posed and natural portraits. This is when detail shots are also taken; parent holding onto the baby’s hand/feet, fingers wrapped around daddy’s, etc.
In older Baby sessions, parents are more involved throughout the session, playing peekaboo, singing songs, assisting in making the baby smile and giggling. This allows for more emotive photographs, the ‘twinkle in the eye’ shots.
5. Outfit and props
Newborn photography uses specially designed newborn Photography outfits made from the best quality fabrics, delicate knits. Specialist blankets, bonnets, headbands and wraps are also used, all in natural tones to highlight the baby’s small features.
Older babies have a bit more variety, such as rompers, bloomers and knitted outfits. Both sessions will use high-quality, baby-safe props carefully chosen to adapt to your baby’s age and comfort.
As a Richmond newborn and baby Photographer, I can assure that both photo share sessions are a wonderful way to showcase your baby’s early days – capturing something truly magical at each stage. Many families choose to photograph both a newborn session and an older baby sitter session at 6 to 9 months to document the baby’s first year beautifully.
If you’re interested in finding out about newborn photography in Richmond, London, click the link here, and if you are curious about older baby and sitter sessions, click here!
