Your baby’s first year is filled with changes—one day, they’re a sleepy newborn curled up in your arms, and before you know it, they’re giggling, sitting up, and taking their first steps. So what is the best age to take baby photos in Raleigh, NC? Let me break that down for you!
As a Raleigh newborn and family photographer, I help parents capture fleeting moments they’ll cherish for years. Whether you want to document newborn days, first smiles, or a first birthday, this guide will help you decide the best time for baby photos in Raleigh, NC.
The Best Ages for Baby Photos
Babies change so much in their first year—so when is the best time to take photos? Here’s a simple guide to help you decide.
Newborn Photos (5-14 Days Old) – Capturing the First Moments
Your baby will never be this tiny again. In those first two weeks, newborns are sleepy, naturally curled up, and snuggle into those peaceful newborn poses.
- Best time to schedule: Around 20 weeks pregnant to ensure availability.
- Best time for photos: 5-14 days after birth, while baby is still extra sleepy.
- Where: In-home lifestyle sessions—capturing baby in their nursery, in your arms, and in the cozy spaces where you’ll spend your first weeks together.
Pro Tip: If your baby arrives early or needs extra time to settle in, we can schedule newborn sessions up to one month old.
Six to Seven Months – The Sitter Session
This is one of the most joyful and interactive stages for photos! By 6-7 months, babies are typically sitting up unassisted, laughing and engaging with you more, and they’re full of personality (but not crawling away yet!).
- Best time to schedule: When baby is 4-5 months old to ensure availability.
- Best time for photos: When baby can sit up but isn’t crawling yet (typically 6-7 months).
- Where: In-home for a cozy feel or outdoors in Raleigh’s best locations, like Dix Park or the Raleigh Rose Garden.
Pro Tip: Sitter sessions capture the best expressions—this is often when babies are happiest in front of the camera!
One Year – Celebrating the Big One! (First Birthday Session)
Your baby’s first year ends with their biggest milestone yet—their first birthday! Whether you want a classic portrait session, a cake smash, or a mix of both, this session is all about capturing how much they’ve grown.
- Best time to schedule: Around 9-10 months old
- Best time for photos: Right before or around baby’s first birthday.
- Where: In-home for a personal feel, outdoors in a favorite spot, or we can rent a studio!
Pro Tip: If you want a first birthday party invitation or keepsake prints, schedule your session at 11 months so you have the images in time!
The Best Way to Capture Every Stage – Bump to Baby Collections
💡 “If you don’t want to miss a thing, booking a full first-year collection ensures you’ll have every stage documented, stress-free.”
A Bump to Baby Collection takes the guesswork out of booking baby photos—I’ll plan all of your milestone sessions in advance, so you don’t have to worry about missing a stage.
- I’ll schedule every milestone ahead of time, so there’s no last-minute scrambling.
- I’ll document your baby’s first year seamlessly, creating a beautiful, cohesive story.
- You’ll get priority scheduling, ensuring your sessions fit your family’s timeline.
Best time to book your Raleigh, NC photos:
The best time to secure your Bump to Baby Collection is around 20 weeks pregnant.
Want to make sure you don’t miss a milestone? I offer a limited number of Bump to Baby Collections for parents in Raleigh, NC, each year to capture your baby’s full first year with ease. With my Bump to Baby Collection, every major milestone—from pregnancy to baby’s first birthday—is already planned. You won’t have to worry about remembering to book, finding availability, or missing a stage.
✔️ You’ll pre-book all four sessions, so there’s no last-minute scrambling.
✔️ I’ll document your baby’s first year seamlessly seamlessly, creating a beautiful, cohesive story.
✔️ You get priority scheduling, so your sessions fit your family’s timeline.
Your baby’s first year is a season of fleeting, once-in-a-lifetime moments—ones that deserve to be documented with care, intention, and an eye for the details that matter. The soft curls at the nape of their neck, the way their tiny fingers wrap around yours, their first gummy smiles. These are the moments that will one day feel like a dream.
✨ If you’re expecting in Raleigh, NC, now is the time to book your baby’s first-year photos. ✨
💛 Let’s create something timeless for your family. Whether you’re looking for a cozy in-home newborn session or a full Bump to Baby Collection that captures every stage, I’d love to document this season for you. Contact me here to inquire about capturing this season for you.
