Milestone Photography: When to Schedule Sessions for Your Baby’s First Year
- shylahgracephoto
- May 16
- 2 min read
Your baby’s first year is filled with incredible growth and heartwarming moments that pass by in the blink of an eye. Milestone photography is the perfect way to document these precious stages, preserving the memories of your baby’s most important developmental moments. At Shylah Grace Photography, we specialize in capturing these fleeting milestones with beautiful, timeless portraits.
If you’re wondering when to schedule baby photography sessions, here’s a guide to the best ages and stages to document during your baby’s first year.
Newborn Session (5-14 Days Old)
The newborn stage is one of the most magical times to capture. Babies are still very sleepy, allowing for those curled-up, peaceful poses. This is the perfect time for:
Soft and dreamy swaddled portraits
Close-ups of tiny fingers and toes
Sweet parent and baby moments
Sibling and family portraits
Since newborn sessions are best within the first two weeks, it’s ideal to book your newborn photoshoot before your due date to secure your spot.
Three Months (Tummy Time & First Smiles)
By three months, your baby is becoming more alert and expressive. This is a great milestone to capture:
First smiles and bright eyes
Tummy time poses
Tiny hands reaching and exploring
Interaction with parents and siblings
This stage is perfect for candid and natural expressions, showing how your baby’s personality is starting to emerge.
Six Months (Sitter Session)
The six-month milestone, also known as a sitter session, is a wonderful time for photos. By now, babies can usually:
Sit up unassisted
Laugh and giggle on command
Show a range of adorable facial expressions
Play with their toes and interact with props
This is the perfect time for joyful, engaging portraits that capture your baby’s growing personality.
Nine Months (Exploring & Crawling Stage)
At nine months, babies are full of energy and curiosity. This stage includes:
Crawling and reaching for objects
Standing with support
Playful and adventurous expressions
Clapping, waving, or other new skills
This session is a great way to document your baby’s growing independence before they take their first steps.
One Year (Cake Smash & First Birthday Session)
The one-year milestone is a major celebration. Many families choose to document this stage with a cake smash photoshoot, where babies get to explore (and smash) a beautifully decorated cake. Other fun first-year moments to capture include:
Standing or first steps
Playful and interactive poses
Themed birthday setups
A mix of formal portraits and fun, candid shots
This session is all about celebrating your baby’s first big milestone with creative and fun photography.
Bonus: Yearly Family Photos
While the first year is filled with many milestones, continuing annual family photography helps document your child’s growth over time. These photos become cherished memories that reflect your family’s journey together.
At Shylah Grace Photography, we make milestone photography sessions fun, relaxed, and stress-free. Whether you’re capturing newborn portraits, sitter sessions, or a cake smash photoshoot, we ensure that each stage is beautifully documented.
Contact us today to schedule your baby’s milestone sessions and create lasting memories of your little one’s first year.
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