If you’ve been researching newborn photography, you’ve probably seen it everywhere - “Best done within the first 2 weeks…” And while there is some truth in that, I always feel this needs a little more explanation… because real life (and real babies!) don’t always follow a rule book. So… where does the “2 week rule” come from?

The first couple of weeks are often recommended because babies tend to be:

👉 a little sleepier

👉 more curled up

👉 easier to gently settle into certain poses

There’s also a physical reason behind this. Newborn babies still have a lot of natural flexibility from being in the womb. Their bodies haven’t fully straightened out yet, and their bones are still developing (for example, parts of the skull are not yet fused, which is completely normal and allows for growth). This means they can often be gently guided into those curled, womb-like positions you sometimes see in more posed newborn photography.

As babies grow over the following weeks, they naturally begin to stretch out, become more alert, and less inclined to settle into those positions - which is why some photographers prefer to work within that early window. But here’s the part that often gets missed…

Not every photographer works that way.

And not every baby does either.

Over the years, I’ve photographed hundreds (and hundreds!) of newborns here in my cosy Warwickshire studio, and one thing I can tell you with complete confidence is this:

Babies don’t read the guidelines!

👉 Some are super sleepy at 5 days old.

👉 Some are wide awake at 10 days.

👉 Some are beautifully relaxed at 4 weeks.

My approach is a little different.

If you’ve found your way here, you’ll probably already know that I don’t take a heavily posed, rigid approach to newborn photography. My sessions are:

👉 baby-led

👉 relaxed

👉 never rushed

If a baby doesn’t like something, we simply don’t do it.

Simple as that.

That means I’m not working to a strict checklist of poses - I’m working with your baby as they are on the day.

What if my baby is already a bit older?

Honestly? That’s absolutely fine. Sometimes life gets in the way - whether baby needed extra care or you weren’t feeling your best. Please don't worry.

I regularly photograph babies:

👉 just a couple of weeks old

👉 three weeks

👉 four weeks and sometimes a little beyond!

At this stage, you may find:

👉 more eye contact

👉 more stretching and movement

👉 lovely little expressions

And those are all beautiful in their own way.

Will the photos still look like “newborn photos”?

Yes - absolutely! Your baby is still tiny, brand new and changing by the day.

What matters most isn’t whether they’re 10 days or 24 days old - it’s capturing them as they are right now.

A gentle note on timing

If you can book while you’re still pregnant, that’s always ideal - it means I can reserve space around your due date and plan ahead for you.

If you’re searching for newborn photography in Coventry or Warwickshire, I usually recommend booking after your 20 week scan if you can - but I always try to keep a little flexibility for last-minute enquiries too.

So if your baby is already here and a few weeks old, please don’t panic or feel like you’ve “missed it”. You really haven’t!

The most important thing?

For me, it’s never about ticking a box or hitting a deadline. It’s about:

👉 keeping your baby comfortable

👉 creating a calm, safe experience

👉 capturing images that feel natural and true to your family

Because those are the photographs that will mean the most in years to come. If you’re unsure, just ask.

Every baby is different, every family is different - and I’m always happy to chat things through and guide you.

No pressure, no hard sell - just honest advice.

Lorraine x

Ellie J Photography – Newborn Photographer Coventry & Warwickshire