First-Year Baby Milestones Photos and Why They are Important
The saying is so true: “they grow up so fast!” In the first year of your baby’s life, it can feel like there is almost daily growth and change, which is so incredible to experience. But it can also feel like the first-year milestones come and go too quickly! In the middle of all the sweet snuggles and sleepless nights, life can feel like a beautiful (and/or bewildering!) blur. This is why it is important to make your baby’s first-year milestones photography plan in advance to make sure these beautiful moments aren’t missed! One of my favorite things as a Maryland and Washington DC family photographer is capturing those magical first moments in your baby’s life, and providing timeless memories for your family to treasure for years to come. Here are some key baby milestones photos that are perfect opportunities to slow time down and savor all the newness with your little one!
First Year Milestone Moments You’ll Want to Capture on Camera:
Maternity Photos
The season before your baby is born is all about anticipating your newest little one’s arrival! There are so many meaningful moments worth photographing and remembering. For an expectant mother, this is such a beautiful time to photograph your changing body.
One idea for a photo shoot in this stage is to find a place that is meaningful for your family – your home or an outdoor space that is special to you – and photograph your growing belly in these places. These are such beautiful memories to show your child when they are older, connecting the places they know and the love you share!
Another opportunity when you are expecting is to take photographs in your baby’s nursery, with items and heirlooms you’ve prepared for them. Making a photography plan for this special milestone is a decision you absolutely won’t regret!
Want to learn more about planning a maternity photo session? Check out my maternity guide for expectant parents!
Newborn Photos
This sweet first-year milestone stage includes all the newness! Lots of moments of sleeping and eating, and so many moments of discovery for both you and your baby. Your new little one is experiencing so much for the first time - light and sound, your familiar voice in their ears, and contrasting colors that their new eyes can see. They begin to recognize that their tiny hands can touch, and the grasp of their fingers around yours for the first time can feel like absolute heaven!
During a newborn photography session, I love focusing on these small details – your baby’s brand-new intricate features, and the special moments of closeness and connection with you and your little one. These moments captured behind the lens are also so beautiful to share for a birth announcement. With all the newness and life that comes with a newborn, having a photography plan in advance for this first-year milestone is something I definitely encourage!
3 Months
The 3-month phase is such a joy! By 3 months, many babies will begin to smile and can express happiness when they see you – two of the most heart-melting firsts! They will also start to imitate sounds and watch you as you move around.
At this first-year milestone, your baby is becoming more interactive both physically and emotionally, more aware of their surroundings and their own movements. They will begin to test their own strength, able to hold their head and even chest up when they lay on their tummies!
As a photographer, it is such a joy to capture a baby’s new sweet smiles, the moments they explore their own hands and feet, and their new ability to interact with you behind the lens!
6 Months
The 6-month milestone typically brings with it a whole new set of tiny skills! At this age, most babies will be able to sit up with little-to-no support, are starting to crawl, and can hold objects in their little hands. Babies during this first-year milestone can also typically recognize their own name, will begin imitating some facial expressions, and between 4 and 6 months you will start to hear your baby laugh! So many fun moments to photograph!
When making a photography plan for a 6-month-old session, I love collaborating with my clients for unique and meaningful ways to capture all of this wonderful newness.
9 Months
At 9 months you might start to wonder “where did the time go!” Your baby’s development at this milestone is all about increased expression and connection. At this age, they will start to enjoy playful interactions with games like peek-a-boo and will be able to connect meaning between sounds and gestures. You will start to notice more and more emotions that your baby is able to express – happy, sad, surprised, angry, and even shy to name a few!
Babies at this age are usually able to sit up by themselves and sit without any support at all. I’ve found that so many of my clients treasure the photos they have of this stage - when their little one (for just a little longer!) still feels like a baby.
1 Year
At 1 year your little one is on the go! They are finding their strength and exploring their world. Standing and cruising, waving and babbling - it’s sometimes hard to keep up! Sessions at this stage are very active and completely fun - some babies at this age will even begin walking! Capturing the joy of both parent and baby for these exciting firsts is absolute magic behind the lens.
These baby milestones photos are all about capturing the newness of growth and life with your baby! In the seasons and stages that seem to go by so fast, slowing time down through photography creates such meaningful memories for these magical moments. I encourage my clients to make a first-year photography plan in advance, and having these milestones in mind can be so helpful for knowing when to anticipate your little one’s next big moment!
If you’d like to book a photoshoot with your baby or have any questions related to family/baby photography, please don’t hesitate to reach out! For some family photoshoot inspo, check out this playful session!