As this is my first child, when is the best age to have your little one sit for a photographer. I just remember helping my mother take my sister's kids and my niece was way too young! She cried the whole time and just wanted to be held, but grandma didn't want to be in the photo.
There are good picture takers and there are not-so-good picture takers. My SIL couldn't take my niece to do photos until she was 4 or so because she would NOT sit still, she would cry, throw a fit, etc. My kids were always wonderful at it, even as young as 1 month old.
I bought a "first year package" from a local photographer that included photos at 4-6 weeks, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. The first photo session (she was 4 weeks), she slept the entire time. The others she was as happy as can be. We tried to plan each session at times when we knew she wouldn't be cranky. I am SO glad I did it this way. Babies change SO much during their first year of life and I'm glad we were able to capture these moments.
It's more about your prep than the age of the child. My friend had some taken in the hospital that were wonderful. so if a day old baby can do it, anyone can.
It would probably go smoother if you have a helper, that way you can talk to the photographer and handle picking picks and paying at the end while someone holds the baby.
The child needs to be fed and well rested. bring things they love like a cool truckor a stuffed animal. if the actual time in front of the camera is more than a half hour and you aren't gettting good picts, then call it a loss and be done.
If it's a stranger anxiety thing, when you make the appointment ask for the most low key photographer. if your child is exuberant and you think htey will want to run and run ask for a very vibrant photographer.
They can do all sorts of shots that show you holding the baby's hands or a toddler wrapped on your leg playing peek a boo. if you don't like your face in shots or have a few pounds on the tummy those parts don't have to show.
Why don't you google the studio you want to use, they usually have a gallery so you can see what some of the picts look like. I use JC Penny's most of the time, we don't have a target photo, the have some you can look at
The earlier you start, they will be used to it! I also had the 1st year package and so glad I did!! Many professional photographers can put the car seat behind their cloth to let the baby sit up or you can take photos laying down.
I would suggest to try to stay with Olan Mills, Penney's etc. because they seem to hire/train their photographers more. And it is more private and you don't have all the extra noise which can affect your child. They also have changing rooms if you want to change outfits.
I always took a favorite toy which helped to calm them and then years later, the toy is in the photo as a good memory. Easter always had their real baskets and Christmas-their own Christmas bear, general-favorite stuffed animal, etc.
My four year old LOVES having his pictures done and you can tell!
I always schedule the FIRST appointment of the day for TWO reasons.
Fisrt, they aren't backed up yet and two, the studio isn't hot yet. Those lights heat up fast and it's hard to cool a studio down once it's heated up!
We've done pictures with a clothing change is LESS than ten minutes because he's "READY TO GO!" This is the kid that wants to give "the smolder" from 'Tangled' every chance he gets!
Personally, I love ours that were taken at 6 months of age. I wondered about the same thing and started asking grandparents and older friends about when they took baby portraits. Babies are so precious at that age (of course they are precious anytime--but by six months you've made it through the infant stage, yay!) and you can see a bit of personality come out in the pictures at 6 months. I also had mother/baby portraits taken at the same time; we each wore white and they are my treasures!
We took our baby at 3 months for professional pictures. There were times where she was not happy but the photographers knew wha they were doing. Some of the pics were of a beautiful smile that was quickly followed by tears but they managed to get it. And we didn't go to a big fancy place either, just Target! We also took a favorite toy of hers that seemed to be comforting and sure the giraffe is in a few pics, the smile is totally worth it. Since then we have done 6 month and now are gearing up for 12 month pics. If you have a Target near you they have great deals. We got Christmas pictures after coupons and deals they offered for $13.00! I am not even kidding you (We didn't do the cards though!). Worth checking out.
It depends on the child, how they are feeling that day, etc. I would go watch a photo shoot at your Target and JC Penney and see if you like the photographer. Pick the best time of day for your child but be prepared to have to reschedule.
