One of my favorite things about being a family photographer is getting to watch babies grow up right in front of my camera.
I know how quickly the first year flies by. One minute you’re figuring out how to swaddle a newborn, and the next you’re chasing a crawling baby who somehow made it across the room in three seconds. That’s why I love Baby’s First Year collections. Instead of documenting just one moment, we get to tell the story of an entire year.
One family I’ve had the privilege of photographing through multiple Baby’s First Year journeys is LeAnne and Kyle’s family. I first photographed their oldest son, Fisher, during his first year, and later documented his little brother Whittier’s milestones too. Their sweet dog Zeus has made plenty of appearances along the way, and every session has been filled with laughter, play, and whatever adventure the kids happen to be interested in that day.
What I love most is that these families don’t just become clients. They become part of my extended photography family. They connected me to their friends and family. So when I come to their family events, a lot of them know me and a few become my clients too. Even after moving to Los Angeles, LeAnne and Kyle stayed in touch and informed me that they are expecting their next baby and of course I’m coming to LA to photograph a newborn session for their third baby. This is why I love what I do, being there as the family’s auntie photographer for all of their family milestones, wherever they are. It makes my heart warm. I’m so grateful to have them as my client and this is what it means to have me as your family photographer.
Why I Recommend Milestone Sessions at 3, 6, 9, and 12 Months
Newborn photos are wonderful, but babies change so much during their first year that I always encourage families to think beyond those first few weeks.
Every stage brings something completely different. At three months, babies start smiling and engaging with the people around them. At six months, they’re often sitting independently and showing off their personality. By nine months, many are crawling, pulling up, and exploring everything they can reach. Then comes the first birthday, which deserves a celebration of its own.
When these sessions are combined into an album, parents can truly see how much has changed in just twelve months. It becomes one of those family heirlooms that only gets more valuable with time.
What Happens at a 3-Month Milestone Session?
The three-month stage is all about connection. Babies are becoming more alert and expressive, and parents are usually starting to settle into life with their new little one.
I love capturing those first real smiles, curious expressions, and interactions between baby and parents. This stage is less about major developmental milestones and more about preserving all the sweet little details that disappear so quickly.
Why Six Months Is One of My Favorite Ages to Photograph
If I had to pick a favorite milestone age, six months would be near the top of the list.
Most babies can sit independently at this stage, which opens up so many possibilities for portraits. They’re curious, happy, and generally delighted by everything happening around them. We usually get lots of smiles, giggles, and expressions that make parents say, “That’s exactly who they are.”
It’s also often the session where parents suddenly realize their tiny newborn is starting to look like a little person.
The Fun of a 9-Month Session
Nine-month sessions are where things get interesting.
Babies are mobile, determined, and full of opinions. Some are crawling at top speed. Others are pulling themselves up on furniture or trying to take their first steps. Rather than forcing babies to sit still, I lean into the movement and curiosity that makes this age so fun.
These sessions often feel more like playtime than a photoshoot, which is exactly how I like it.
What to Expect at a First Birthday and Cake Smash Session
The one-year milestone session is the grand finale of your baby’s first year.
We’ll start with classic first birthday portraits that capture your baby’s personality at this stage. Some babies are walking confidently, while others are still perfecting their crawl. Either way, this session celebrates exactly who they are right now.
Many families choose to add a cake smash, which is always an adventure. Some babies dive right in with both hands. Others carefully inspect every bit of frosting before deciding what to do. I’ve seen babies wear the cake, sit on the cake, throw the cake, and occasionally ignore the cake completely. Every reaction is different, which is part of the fun.
The goal is not a perfectly clean portrait session. It’s to capture genuine expressions, curiosity, laughter, and the excitement of celebrating such a big milestone. These sessions often end with a bubble bath or splash session, creating even more opportunities for adorable photos and helping everyone leave happy and clean.
Don’t Let the First Year Become a Blur
As parents, we’re usually so busy living these moments that we don’t realize how quickly they’re passing.
One day you’ll be packing away baby clothes that no longer fit. You’ll find yourself missing the tiny fingers, chubby cheeks, and gummy smiles that seemed like they would last forever. Before long, your baby will be heading off to preschool, elementary school, and eventually asking to see photos of themselves when they were little.
And trust me, they will want to see them.
One of the reasons I care so much about documenting childhood is because I don’t have many photographs from my own early years. The photos we do have became even more precious after many were damaged in a flood. It taught me that photographs aren’t just for today. They’re for the future too.
A Baby’s First Year collection creates a visual story of one of the most important chapters in your family’s life. From those first smiles at three months to the frosting-covered celebration at one year, every stage deserves to be remembered.
If you’re looking for baby milestone photography in the San Francisco Bay Area, I’d love to help you document this incredible season before it becomes a memory. Together, we’ll create photographs your family will treasure now and your children will cherish for decades to come. Get in contact here!
