📹 If you prefer to watch a BTS Video over reading the blog here you go ➡️ Charlotte’s 5 Week Newborn Session in my Spokane Studio
There’s something so special about sessions that don’t go exactly as planned… because they often turn into something even better 💜
Marina reached out to me about four weeks postpartum after welcoming her beautiful baby girl, Charlotte. Like many babies, Charlotte decided she was ready to meet her mama a little earlier than expected. After taking time to recover and settle into life with a newborn, Marina knew she still wanted to capture this fleeting stage.
And I’m so glad she did.
Newborn Photos After the “Ideal” Window
Miss Charlotte was 5 weeks old when I met her.
If you’ve been researching newborn photography, you’ve probably heard about the “ideal” window being within the first 2–3 weeks. And while that’s often when babies are the sleepiest, it is absolutely not a hard rule.
Older newborns just bring something different to the table.
At this age, babies are often more alert, more expressive, and full of personality—and Charlotte was no exception.
A Baby-Led Newborn Session
Going into the session, mom mentioned Charlotte was a sleepy baby… but babies don’t always follow the script when they’re in a new space.
New smells, new environment, new sounds—it’s a lot.
As we settled in, we realized Charlotte runs a little warm and wasn’t a fan of being fully swaddled. She wanted those arms and legs free—and she was strong enough to make that happen no matter how snug the wrap was.
So we pivoted.
Because that’s always my approach: baby-led posing.
If a baby isn’t comfortable in a pose, position, or wrap, I adjust. Every time.
The One Sleeping Shot (and Why It Didn’t Matter)
I did get one sweet sleepy image.
After some bouncing, shushing, and a feeding break, Charlotte finally drifted off. I wrapped her up carefully, started adjusting my lighting…
…and accidentally bumped my light stand into the ceiling, waking her up.
Not my favorite moment, I won’t lie. (and inspired me to buy a new light stand!)
But here’s the truth: it didn’t matter.
Because what came next was even better.
Personality Over Perfection
Charlotte gave us the most incredible eye contact, expressions, and tiny details.
She stared right into my lens like she had something important to say.
I captured:
- Those strong little stretches
- Tiny fingers and curled toes
- Soft lips and button nose
- So many expressions
Honestly, these are the kinds of images parents treasure just as much—if not more—than the sleepy poses.
Simple, Soft, and Girly
Marina chose my smallest package, which is perfect for families who just want a handful of beautiful images.
We kept things simple with:
- Soft pink tones
- Warm neutrals
- Layers of texture
- Subtle styling with wraps and headbands
Even with a single setup, I always aim to create variety through small details and thoughtful adjustments.
It’s Never Too Late to Capture This Stage
Sometimes sessions take a little longer.
Sometimes babies need extra time to settle.
Sometimes things don’t go “perfectly.”
And that’s okay.
We spent about an hour and a half together and still captured a gallery full of meaningful, beautiful moments.
If you’re past that 2–3 week window and wondering if it’s “too late”… it’s not.
Your baby is still tiny. Still changing every day. Still worth documenting.
Thinking About Booking a Newborn Session?
If you’ve been considering newborn photos—whether your baby is just a few days old or already a few weeks in—I would love to work with you.
I offer a range of packages depending on what you're looking for, from simple sessions to more full experiences.
And if you're planning ahead, my Grow With Me bundle is a beautiful way to document your baby’s entire first year while saving on multiple sessions.
Reach out anytime to start planning 💜