I've always recommended that newborn sessions be scheduled in the first 7-10 days after birth. Primarily because that is when they are at their smallest (babies can lose about 10% of their body weight right after birth), and they're the most flexible and likely to curl up into cute little balls. After working with Hayden, I've decided that the best reason to do the session early is that the newer babies tend to go to sleep after feeding and stay asleep much better. Once they get used to being out of the womb, they don't expect to be moved around while sleeping. He's just 12 days old, and already Hayden is difficult to pose and photograph while asleep.
Because I was recovering from the c-section, I had to postpone the family photos that I wanted to do until yesterday. Marcus and I tried off and on for most of the day to get him to cooperate, but he just wasn't having it. He would fall asleep right after eating and then wake up and throw an inconsolable fit when we tried moving him around. Everything is on HIS schedule right now, and he just wanted to be left alone to sleep. Considering how long it takes to get everyone ready (it is much easier to be just the subject or just the photographer than both) and how unhappy it made Hayden (not to mention that Marcus is returning to work Monday), I'm afraid that I may not convince Marcus to try it again.
Here are a couple of sleeping photos that I took a few days ago though.
