Every parent knows that time flies when you have a baby. One moment, you’re bringing them home from the hospital, and the next, they’re taking their first steps. Capturing these fleeting moments through milestone photography is a beautiful way to preserve precious memories that you and your child will cherish forever.
Why capture the milestones?
With cell phones at our fingertips and the busy life of parenthood, it can be easy to put off taking professional portraits. However, professional photography captures all the details your cell phone can’t. Your baby’s first year is a perfect time to invest in professional photography to remember all the special firsts for the lifetime to come. Many families choose to tell the story of their baby’s first year by having milestone sessions at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, but the timeline and the milestones you capture are ultimately up to you. Regardless of the milestones you choose to mark, here are some of the benefits of choosing a milestone series:
Memories that last a lifetime: Babies change rapidly in the first year, and professional photos help freeze those special moments in time.
Personalized storytelling: Capture the moments that mean the most to your family and personalize the experience with your baby’s favorite things.
Perfect for sharing: These photos make great gifts for the family and can be used for holiday cards, memory books, social media posts, or a banner at their 1st birthday party.
Build a beautiful collection: When done consistently, milestone sessions are a great way to showcase your little one’s growth and personality over time.
Milestone session ideas
Here’s some ideas to get you started if you’re planning milestone photography sessions.
3 months
Baby expressions: Capture their early smiles or reactions to their reflection in a mirror. Use a small, safe mirror or stand in front of a larger mirror while holding your little one for a cute family moment.
Growing stronger: Capture your baby during tummy time, holding their head up on their own, and kicking their legs to document their growing strength.
6 months
Sitter session: By 6 months, your baby might be sitting on their own. Celebrate this significant stage during your milestone session by showcasing your little one sitting on the floor or a favorite blanket.
Halfway to one: Document this special time by showing off all your baby’s favorite things.
9 months
Crawling: Capture them exploring their surroundings and enjoying their newfound mobility at your 9 month session.
First teeth: If your baby has started their first teeth, this is a great time to document their toothy little grin.
Playing: Bring their favorite toys for a fun & cute session.
12 months
Cake smash: Celebrate your baby’s first trip around the sun with a cake smash session. Get a little messy and capture a ton of giggles as they dive into their first cake.
On the go: Many babies begin walking at one year or soon after. If they aren’t walking yet, they may be pulling themselves up on furniture or taking a few steps while holding your hands. Mark this special milestone with photos of your little one’s early steps.
Milestone moments: Make a banner or incorporate photos from previous milestones sessions to celebrate how much your baby has grown over the past year. Bring props, blocks, or signs noting baby’s milestones along the way like 1st smile, 1st steps, 1st tooth.
Themes
Try incorporating some of these themes into your sessions for added fun during your milestone series.
Seasonal fun
Spring: Incorporate florals or a pastel color palette to bring spring to life in your session or choose a favorite local park and capture your family surrounded by the colors of spring.
Summer: Choose summer-themed items like sunglasses & flip flops, and a beach ball, or plan your session at a local beach.
Fall: Take your session to a local park or pumpkin patch to incorporate the beauty of fall into your milestone series.
Winter: Document your baby’s first snow or incorporate blankets and scarves into your session for a cozy winter-themed session.
Holiday round-up
Plan your session theme according to an upcoming holiday.
Valentine’s Day: Incorporate hearts, roses, reds, and pinks into this session to celebrate all things love.
St. Patrick’s Day: Bring the luck o’ the Irish into your little one’s photo shoot by including shades of green and shamrocks, or level up the fun further and dress your little one like a leprechaun for the day.
4th of July: Celebrate Independence Day with a bit of summer fun. Include all things red, white, and blue, or have a picnic at a local park and capture your little one enjoying the summer sun.
Halloween: Bring your baby’s first Halloween costume to include in your session. If you’re planning a session at home, incorporate your family’s favorite Halloween decorations or traditions like pumpkin carving for a memorable family experience.
Ready to book your milestone series? Call us at (888) 455-7826 for more information about current prices and specials.
Milestone Photography Tips
Des Moines area Bella Life photographer Mollie Logan shared these tips to help families prepare for milestone sessions:
-Eat before you arrive and have desired snacks on hand
-Bring props like a favorite toy, blanket, or bubbles
-Laugh and embrace the moment, every interaction is telling a story
-Pinterest pictures are cute, but not always practical. Remember, we are trying to capture your family organically as if someone were peeking in the window at any given time.
Final Thoughts
Milestone photography is more than just pictures—it’s about creating memories that last a lifetime. Whether you opt for professional sessions or take DIY photos at home, these captured moments will become treasured keepsakes as your baby grows. Don’t let these precious milestones slip away—document them beautifully and enjoy looking back on your little one’s journey for years to come!
Preserve your baby’s first year with a Bella Life Milestone series tailored to your family’s style. Book online or contact us to find a Bella Life photographer near you!
