If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a children’s photographer, it’s this… babies grow at an unbelievable speed meaning capturing baby milestones is a huge priority for families. One moment they’re snuggled on your chest, and the next, they’re determined little humans refusing to sit still because they just learned how to run.
Blink twice and suddenly you’re wondering how you have 5,000 iPhone photos yet somehow still didn’t capture the moments you swear you’d remember forever.
That’s why baby milestone photography is so important. Booking a milestone session with your baby creates intentional pauses in the middle of the chaos that allow you to capture your baby’s story, from squishy newborn cheeks to frosting-covered first birthdays.
Today we’re diving into the big question parents always ask me:
“What baby milestones should we photograph, and when is the best time to schedule?”
Consider this your friendly, photographer-to-parent guide to capturing your baby’s first year in a way that feels magical, meaningful, and totally stress-free. Let’s break down the must-capture stages (and why each one matters).
When to Schedule Newborn Photography Sessions
Ah, the newborn phase. That tiny, curled-up sweetness that lasts approximately 0.3 seconds. This is the stage that changes fast, which is why the newborn window is so specific.
Best time to photograph for a newborn session: Days 5–14
The best time to photograph a newborn is days 5 to 14. Why? Because this is when babies are still sleepy, snuggly, and flexible enough for those cozy, womb-like poses. Their features are fresh and delicate. Peach-fuzz shoulders, tiny wrinkled toes, all the good stuff.
What I capture during a Newborn Session:
- Tiny details (lashes, toes, lips, that velvety soft skin)
- Baby wrapped snug and sleeping peacefully
- Parents soaking in their new little love
- Siblings being adorably chaotic (but it always photographs beautifully, I promise)
And I already know you’re asking yourself – “What if we miss the two-week window?”
Don’t panic. Truly. I photograph older newborns all the time. Sessions just look a little different! More stretchiness, more awake time, and often… more personality. If anything, it’s still just as perfect. And if you need a few tips on how to prepare for an in-home session, I have a blog post on just that here.
3-Month Baby Milestones: A Budding Personality
Three-month sessions often get overlooked, but hear me out: they’re underrated and so, so sweet.
Best time to photograph: 10–14 weeks
10 to 14 weeks is the “alert and smily puddle of adorable” stage.
What I Capture for a 3-Month Old Session:
- Bright, wide-open eyes
- First smiles
- Milky-soft skin
- Baby grabbing feet, hands, toys
- Sweet parent-baby snuggles
Parents love the 3-month session because your baby finally starts to feels a bit more “themselves,” and the expressions are golden. They can’t sit up yet, which means lots of cozy, heartwarming moments in your arms.
6-Month Baby Milestones: The Sitters!
If newborns are dreamy, six-month-olds are pure sunshine. These sessions are perfectly done around 6 to 8 months whenever the baby is sitting unassisted, but not yet crawling.
This is hands-down one of the most joyful stages to photograph. Why? Because babies at this age are happy, curious, chunky in the very best way, and stationary (photographers everywhere rejoice!)
What I capture during a 6-month session:
- Sitting and reaching
- Gummy smiles & big belly laughs
- Chubby arm rolls
- Baby interacting with parents
- Big bright eyes and adorable surprise faces
And for the question of “What if my baby isn’t sitting yet?” Don’t worry. Every baby hits milestones on their own timeline. I’ll recommend pushing the session a few weeks so we capture your little one when they’re ready!
9-Month Baby Milestones: Crawling, Exploring, and Scrunchy-Nosed Smiles
Once your baby starts crawling, the world becomes their obstacle course. And honestly? It’s hilariously delightful. Babies are suddenly determined to go everywhere, touch everything, and smile at absolutely nothing (or everything).
What I capture for a 9-Month Session:
- Crawling toward the camera
- Pulling up on furniture
- Mischievous little faces
- Babbling, clapping, waving
- Those squishy cheeks that won’t last forever
This milestone gives us some of the cutest personality-packed images.
1 Year & Cake Smash: The Big Celebration!
The first birthday session is where sentiment meets pure chaos in the best possible way. The best time to photograph a cake smash session is right around 10 to 12 months.
Best time to photograph: 10–12 months
This gives you enough flexibility to celebrate close to their birthday or get photos ready for invitations.
What I capture during a 1-Year Old Cake Smash Session:
- Classic portraits
- Baby’s big personality
- Cake smash (mess encouraged!)
If you’re not into cake, we can do fruit baths, balloons, bubbles, confetti, paint… honestly, anything fun and baby-safe works. It’s about the experience, not the sugar!
Bonus Milestones Worth Capturing
Some families choose to add in extra baby milestone sessions, especially during the first year. These can be beautiful, highly sentimental additions to your baby’s story. Here’s a few ideas!
- Tummy time sessions: 4 months of cuteness and drool.
- Sibling bond moments: Anytime, anywhere really! Siblings create the magic.
- Mommy and Me Sessions: Capture the unique bond between mom and baby
- Seasonal minis: Fall, spring, holidays, beach days.
- Family milestone at 12–18 months: Once your toddler becomes a full character.
How Many Milestone Sessions Should You Do?
My most popular recommendation for parents who want the full story is:
Newborn → 6 Months → 1 Year. This gives you the beginning, the personality bloom, and the big celebration. But if you want a “Baby’s First Year” collection with every major milestone, I love photographing:
Newborn → 3 Months → 6 Months → 9 Months → 1 Year for a story captured beautifully. And you’ll thank yourself later.
Whether you choose one milestone or the whole collection, each session is a little love letter to your baby’s first year. These aren’t just photos. They’re the memories you’ll flip through in ten, twenty, or fifty years. And if there’s one thing every parent tells me after a session, it’s this: “I’m so glad we captured this. They changed so fast.”
Your baby’s story deserves to be remembered, not just in your phone camera roll, but in images that feel tender, joyful, and timeless.
