There is something truly magical about watching a baby grow and change, especially throughout their first year after growing your family! From those early newborn snuggles to the infectious giggles and wobbly first steps, each milestone deserves to be remembered and celebrated. As a family photographer specializing in capturing families with young children, I recently had the joy of working with a family who chose to document their little girl’s entire first year. What started as a maternity and newborn session bundle quickly turned into something even more special as they added a 6-month and 1st birthday session to their journey.
This experience reminded me of how important it is to preserve these fleeting moments and I want to share why capturing baby’s first year is a decision you won’t regret. Your baby’s first year will be filled with big changes. In the blink of an eye, those tiny fingers and toes will grow and the sleepy newborn days will give way to the wide-eyed curiosity and toothy grins. While it’s impossible to stop time, photography offers a way to freeze these moments so you can cherish them forever.
The details change so quickly. It’s crazy how different your baby will look in just a few months. From those first smiles (that most people chalk up to gas) to sitting up unassisted, these changing details are some that you’ll want to remember. The first year is full of these exciting milestones and so much more so why not capture them in photos? These frozen moments in time allow you to look back and relive the joy of each new achievement. Documenting this time also preserves your family’s story. Your bond will continue to grow stronger during this time and photography is a beautiful way to celebrate the love and connection you share.
If you’re considering documenting your baby’s first year, there are a few popular options to ensure you capture all the important milestones. One option is to focus on the major milestones with sessions at newborn, six months, and one year. The newborn session, recommended within the first two weeks after birth, captures those sleepy, snuggly days when your baby is still so tiny and new. By six months, your little one will likely be sitting up, smiling big, and showing off their growing personality. This is the perfect time for capturing chubby cheeks, silly expressions, and contagious laughter. The one-year session is a celebration of the big first birthday and often includes playful moments, family portraits, and a maybe even a fun cake smash to mark this incredible milestone.
For families who want to document the entire journey, book sessions every three months might be the path for you to create a comprehensive story of your baby’s growth. You’ll capture the sweet expressions of a 3-month-old starting to engage with the world, the giggles and memorable moments of 6-months, the mover and groover of an adventurous 9-month-old who may be crawling or even pulling themselves up, and the biggest celebration of the year with their first birthday photos. This approach offers a complete collection of memories that you and your child can look back on for years to come.
There is truly no greater honor for me as a photographer than helping families preserve these priceless memories. Whether you choose to focus on a few key milestones or go all in with sessions every three months, I promise you will treasure these photos forever. They will remind you of just how much love, laughter, and growth took place in your baby’s first year. If you’re expecting a little one or have recently welcomed a new family member into the fold, now is the perfect time to start planning! I’d love to work with you to create beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. Get in touch today to learn more about my milestone packages and start documenting this incredible journey. Let’s celebrate your growing family together!
