One of the questions we hear most often as a Santa Monica newborn photographer is:
“When should I schedule my newborn photos?”
The short answer? Ideally, within the first 5-10 days after birth.
During this tiny window, babies are typically sleepiest, happiest to be gently posed, and still naturally curl into those sweet newborn positions that disappear all too quickly.
This beautiful little girl came to our studio when she was just 10 days old, making her the perfect age for her very first portrait session.
But what made her session especially memorable wasn’t just her age – it was the story her family wanted to tell.
At The Pod Photography, we believe every baby has a story before they’re even born. Their first portrait session should celebrate not only how tiny they were, but who they are and where they come from.
For this little one, that meant creating a session inspired by her family’s beautiful heritage while still preserving the timeless newborn portraits they’ll treasure forever.
Why the First Two Weeks Are the Best Time for Newborn Photos
The first couple of weeks after birth are incredibly fleeting.
Babies change almost daily, and those sleepy newborn features disappear much faster than most parents expect.
Scheduling your newborn session during the first 5-10 days as your Santa Monica Newborn Photographer allows us to capture:
- Sleepy, curled-up poses
- Tiny fingers and wrinkly toes
- Soft newborn skin
- Delicate eyelashes
- Perfect little lips
- Flexible newborn posing
- Peaceful expressions
This little girl was wonderfully sleepy throughout her session, allowing us to move gently from one setup to the next without disturbing her much at all.
While beautiful portraits can absolutely be created with older babies, those first two weeks provide a look that’s uniquely “newborn.”
Celebrating Her Family’s Story Through Portraits
One of our favorite parts of this session was designing sets that honored the cultures and traditions that make this little girl uniquely her.
Dad’s heritage inspired a beautifully styled Chinese-inspired nursery scene filled with thoughtful details and rich symbolism.
To celebrate Mom’s Hawaiian roots, we created a whimsical beach-inspired setup complete with sunshine, tropical colors, tiny sunglasses, seashells, and a relaxed island feel that couldn’t have been sweeter for their little California girl.
We also created a colorful Mexican-inspired set to honor the other half of Mom’s heritage, incorporating vibrant colors and joyful details that reflected another important piece of her family’s story.
We love when families bring meaningful traditions into their newborn sessions because years from now, these portraits become more than beautiful photographs – they become part of a child’s story.
As a Santa Monica newborn photographer, these personalized sessions are some of our absolute favorites to create.
We Always Create Timeless Portraits, Too
As much as we love creative storytelling, we also know that classic portraits never go out of style.
That’s why every newborn session includes timeless images that feel just as beautiful twenty years from now as they do today.
For this session, one of our favorites was our signature overhead wreath portrait.
Wrapped softly and nestled inside a simple wreath, surrounded by gentle greenery, starfish, and seashells, this portrait subtly celebrated her California roots without distracting from what mattered most—her.
These are often the images families choose to display for decades because they feel elegant, simple, and completely timeless.
The Tiny Details You’ll Never Want to Forget
Ask any parent of a teenager what they miss most about the newborn days, and you’ll rarely hear them say, “I miss the swaddle.”
Instead they’ll say things like:
“I miss how tiny her fingers were.”
“I miss those little lips.”
“I miss the way her feet fit into my hand.”
That’s exactly why detail portraits are such an important part of every newborn session.
We intentionally photograph:
- Tiny fingers
- Wrinkly toes
- Button noses
- Delicate eyelashes
- Perfect little ears
- Soft lips
- Baby hands resting on Mom or Dad
These tiny features change almost overnight.
Capturing them today allows families to revisit those memories for decades to come.
Booking Your Newborn Session Before Baby Arrives
One of the biggest misconceptions about newborn photography is that you should wait until your baby is born to schedule your session.
In reality, the best time to reserve your newborn session is during your second or third trimester.
Rather than choosing an exact date months in advance, we reserve space around your due date and adjust once your little one arrives.
This ensures we can photograph your baby during that ideal newborn window while giving your family flexibility if baby decides to arrive early or late.
If you’re currently expecting and looking for a Santa Monica newborn photographer, booking before delivery is the best way to secure your spot.
Frequently Asked Questions About Newborn Photography
What if my baby is already older than two weeks?
Don’t worry! Beautiful newborn portraits can still be created after the two-week mark. Babies may simply be more awake and less likely to curl into traditional newborn poses.
How long does a newborn session last?
Most sessions last between two and three hours, allowing plenty of time for feeding, diaper changes, soothing, and cuddles.
Can we incorporate our family’s culture?
Absolutely—and we love doing it.
Whether it’s meaningful heirlooms, cultural traditions, family colors, or custom-designed sets, we’re always excited to create portraits that tell your family’s unique story.
Do you photograph parents and siblings too?
Yes! Family and sibling portraits are some of the most meaningful images from the entire session.
Your Baby Will Never Be This Little Again
The newborn stage feels endless when you’re living it.
Then suddenly…
Those tiny fingers grow.
The sleepy stretches disappear.
The newborn curls fade.
Before long, you’re looking back wondering how it all went by so quickly.
That’s why we believe newborn photography isn’t simply about documenting what your baby looked like.
It’s about preserving a season of life that passes in the blink of an eye.
If you’re expecting and searching for a Santa Monica newborn photographer, we’d love to help tell your family’s story through timeless, meaningful portraits you’ll treasure for generations.
You can view more of our newborn gallery here:
https://www.thepodphoto.com/Galleries/Newborn-Best
Or reserve your session here:
https://www.thepodphoto.com/Pages/Reserve
