The Best Age for Baby Photos: A Maryland Photographer’s Guide for Busy Moms

As a Maryland family and maternity photographer, one of the most common questions I get from moms is:

“What’s the best age for baby photos?”

If you’re a busy mom trying to plan ahead (between nap schedules, work meetings, and Target runs), you’re not alone—and I’m here to help make this process easy and stress-free. Whether you’re dreaming of those sleepy newborn shots or milestone magic with a smiling 6-month-old, here’s a breakdown of the best photo stages for your baby’s first year.

Newborn (5–14 Days Old): Sleepy, Curled-Up Perfection

Ideal for: Cozy, squishy, sleepy poses

Best if you want: Classic studio-style newborn portraits with soft wraps, delicate headbands, and timeless simplicity. *Don't worry about bringing anything. My Maryland newborn photography studio is fully stocked with outfits, wraps, backdrops, blankets and everything else you'll need for a stunning newborn photography session.

Pro Tip: Book your newborn session during your second trimester to guarantee a spot on my calendar. I only take a limited number of newborns each month to ensure flexibility around due dates.

View More Of My Newborn And Maternity Photos

6–8 Weeks: The Sweet “Awake” Stage

Ideal for: Babies who missed the newborn window but are still teeny tiny

Best if you want: Wide eyes, gentle expressions, and cuddly family shots

While babies at this age may not curl up like a newborn, they give amazing eye contact and start showing early signs of personality—great for lifestyle-style sessions at home or in-studio.

3–4 Months: The Tummy Time Stage

Ideal for: Chubby cheeks and sweet little smirks

Best if you want: A shorter, simple session to capture that transition from newborn to baby

Your baby is starting to lift their head, interact with their surroundings, and maybe even flash some adorable half-smiles. These sessions are perfect for updating your family gallery wall.

6–7 Months: The Sitting Milestone

Ideal for: Big personality, smiles, and chunky rolls

Best if you want: A playful, joy-filled session with tons of variety and interaction

This is one of my favorite ages to photograph—babies are typically sitting up but not crawling yet, making it easy to capture those giggles, sparkly eyes, and wobbly little poses in beautiful light. I recommend scheduling this session at least a month in advance, especially in popular seasons like spring and fall.

12 Months: The Birthday Celebration!

Ideal for: Cake smashes, balloons, bubbles, and barefoot baby fun

Best if you want: A joyful celebration of your baby’s first trip around the sun

Whether you’re planning a classic cake smash, a coastal-themed birthday session, or a clean and modern portrait session—this milestone deserves to be documented. Bonus: You’ll have gorgeous photos to use for party invites and thank-you cards.

View My Child and Family Gallery

So, What’s the “Best” Age?

It really depends on your vision.

Some families choose to document all of the above stages with a Baby Plan—a collection of sessions spaced throughout the year to capture every sweet milestone. Others pick one session that best fits their schedule and budget.

As a full-service Maryland baby photographer, I offer flexible packages, heirloom albums, and wardrobe styling to make your experience as easy (and beautiful!) as possible.

View My Collection of Gowns To Borrow For Your Session

Ready to Book Your Baby’s Session?

Let’s make magic together. Whether you’re based in Annapolis, Severna Park, Baltimore, or the Eastern Shore, I’d love to help you preserve this fleeting season with photos that you’ll cherish forever.

Click here to check availability or join my waitlist for upcoming seasonal sessions.

Or shoot me a message if you’re not sure where to start—I’m always happy to help!

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The Best Age for Baby Photos: A Maryland Photographer’s Guide for Busy Moms

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