Is 5 Weeks Old Too Late for Newborn Photos?

February 24, 2025

Horsham newborn photography

In a short answer – Absolutely not!

Most mums think they have missed their chance of having a newborn photoshoot done if they didn’t book one for the first few weeks of their babies life, and that isn’t the case! Whilst there is definitely a recommended timeframe for newborn photos, you can still get beautiful photos no matter the age.

So, the standard timeframe for newborn photography is within 14 days. I do recommend this as your baby will still be very sleepy and curly and will go into all the classic newborn poses. They will be the smallest they will ever be and trust me it goes by way too fast and you will want to remember the tiny details.

Here is a comparison of a 1 week old baby vs a 5 week old baby.

Newborn baby sleeping in a white blanket at Horsham photoshoot
1 weeks old
5 week old baby laying on a white blanket at Horsham newborn photoshoot
5 weeks old

That being said, I would never turn away and older baby and I LOVE capturing older newborns so much. You can still get beautiful photos if your baby is older and they might still sleep and curl into poses!

Below is a few photos of babies who were 5 weeks old at the time of the photoshoot. See! Most of the older newborn babies I have had in the studio have still slept and posed like a younger newborn!

A newborn baby boy swaddled up in a blanket sleeping at a newborn photoshoot in Horsham
A baby boy laying on his front sleeping at a Horsham newborn photoshoot
A baby sleeping at a Horsham Newborn Photography session
A close up photo of a sleeping babies face at Horsham newborn photography session

I can’t guarantee that every baby will curl into those poses, as often 5 week old babies are usually way more alert and wiggly. But there is still a big chance of them sleeping with the right planning in place, such as:

  • Schedule Around Naps: Plan the session when your baby is most likely to be calm and rested. Late mornings usually work well.
  • Keep it Cozy and Comfortable: Use soft blankets and swaddles to keep your baby relaxed and content.
  • Capture Interactive Moments: At 5 weeks, babies are more alert and might even make eye contact. Take advantage of this for candid, heartwarming photos.
  • Choose the Right Photographer: Look for a newborn photographer in Horsham experienced with slightly older newborns to ensure they know how to capture this unique stage.
A dad leaning over his newborn baby at horsham newborn photoshoot
A mother and father leaning over their newborn baby at Horsham newborn photoshoot

I would recommend this age to anyone. It’s such a beautiful combination of newborn sweetness but with a glimpse into their wonderful personality.

Mum holding sleeping baby on her shoulder at Horsham newborn photography session

I hope this reassures you if your baby is already here and you didn’t book a newborn shoot. There is still time!

Don’t let the moment pass— schedule your newborn photoshoot in Horsham today!

If you’re ready to book your photoshoot or have any questions, feel free to Contact Me Here.

Its not too late mama!

Speak soon,

Paige x