Few things are more precious to a parent than witnessing their newborn baby’s first year of development. Professional photography sessions are one way to capture these priceless moments. But, with so much going on in a baby’s first year, knowing when to schedule these photoshoots can be difficult. In this article, I’ll examine the developmental milestones that occur throughout a baby’s first year and offer some suggestions for when you might want to have professional portraits taken of your child.

Newborn

Let’s start with the newborn stage. This period, which typically lasts for the first four to six weeks of a baby’s life, is when they are still getting used to life outside the womb. During this stage, babies sleep most of the day and have fairly consistent feeding and sleeping patterns (they sleep and eat A LOT). This can make it a great time for a session, since they can be photographed sleeping, and eating can calm them during the session.

Newborns are very soft and flexible in the first 2-3 weeks of life, making it the ideal time for a newborn photo session. As your baby grows and becomes less flexible, it may be more challenging to capture certain poses. This is why it’s best to have your session within the first 3 weeks if you are planning to do a posed newborn session. If you’re having a more relaxed, lifestyle session then you can schedule anytime within the first 6 weeks.

Infant

During the infant stage, typically lasting from six weeks to six months, babies become more interactive and expressive. This is a great time to capture memorable professional photos, as babies may start smiling, cooing, and even laughing. Don’t miss the opportunity to capture these adorable facial expressions during this special stage of your baby’s first year.

When planning infant photo sessions, it’s important to keep in mind that babies at this age can be a little more unpredictable. They may require feeding and diaper changing more frequently, as well as longer stretches of wakefulness and longer stretches of sleep. It’s a good idea to plan photo sessions around your baby’s feedings and naps, and to be ready for any unforeseen needs that may occur while the photo session is taking place. Your photographer should be able to advise you on such details.

6-8 months

Babies who are six to eight months old are often at a great stage for photography, as they are typically able to sit upright without assistance and have not yet started crawling. This means they can be more easily posed and positioned for photographs, allowing the photographer to capture a wider range of shots. As babies reach this age, they are becoming more mobile and may start to sit and crawl, making for some adorable and memorable photo opportunities.” 

Babies of this age tend to be more responsive and interactive. They may be making their first sounds, babbles, and other expressions, which can make for priceless photographs. The wonderful thing about taking pictures of your baby at this age is that they still can’t crawl away! That way, the photographer can get some adorable shots without having to chase them. 

9-12 months

As babies reach the age of nine to twelve months, they become increasingly independent and may start standing and taking their first steps. This is a great opportunity to capture these big milestones and your baby’s growing curiosity and sense of adventure. During this stage, babies may be starting to explore their surroundings more, making for some memorable photo opportunities.

As babies reach the nine to twelve month mark, they may become more active and may not be as willing to sit still for long periods of time during photo sessions. It is important to choose a photographer who is flexible, able to work with your baby’s needs and energy levels, and has experience photographing babies of this age. This will help ensure that the photoshoot goes smoothly and results in beautiful, natural-looking photos.

To sum up, there are several stages during a baby’s first year that can be ideal for professional photoshoots. These stages allow you to capture your baby’s development and personality in unique ways. While these are general guidelines, it is important to note that not all babies reach milestones at the same time. Your photographer can help you determine the best time for a photo session based on your baby’s individual needs and characteristics.

Hi, I’m Tracy, and I love photographing babies in the Greensburg area! My goal is to document this exact time in your lives as it’s happening, because as a mom myself, I know how easy it is to get caught up in the ‘everyday’ and lose sight of the defining moments. Reach out and we can chat about your session!