Newborn Photos are Overrated - Joliet Illinois

Let me tell you something that might surprise you.

I am a birth and newborn photographer. I take photos of babies for a living.

And with my own baby? I didn't take a single proper newborn photo until she was five weeks old, and she spent her first two weeks in the NICU. You’d think that would inspire me to document all the things all the time, but I was just too mentally exhausted.

What I really wanted was just to sit there and hold her. Reset my nervous system and enjoy daily life with my family. Yes, I documented our moments here and there but a big production, no way.

Here's the truth. The whole "you must photograph your baby in the first two weeks or you've missed the window" message is everywhere.

And it's exhausting. It adds pressure to an already overwhelming time.

You are tired. You are hormonal. You are healing. You might be navigating feeding challenges, sleepless nights, or a NICU stay like we did.

The last thing on your mind in those first two weeks is setting up a photoshoot. I promise you, I understand completely.

Here's what I want you to know.

I offer newborn photos way past the two week mark. Three months? Absolutely. Four months? No problem.

Because here is what I have learned as both a photographer and a mom. Your brain comes back online around four months. The fog starts to lift. You can breathe a little. And that is a beautiful and much less stressful time to document your family.

"But what about the squishy sleeping poses?"

Here is my honest answer. We may not get those super curled up, deep sleeping newborn shots. And that is completely fine.

What we will get is beautiful. We will get three month old baby stretches. We will get eye contact and coos and little smiles.

Three month old babies still nap. We can still get sweet, snuggly images. We will capture the real, beautiful, love of your life right now.

So here is your permission slip.

Rest in those early weeks. Heal. Stare at your baby. Do not add "schedule newborn photos" to your list of things if you don’t want to.

When you are ready, I will be here. No judgment, no "you missed the window." Just a warm space to document this season exactly as it is.

Ready when you are.

Reach out whenever that feels right. Whether your baby is two weeks or four months, we will create something beautiful together.