As a parent, there are few things more special than watching your baby grow and change over their first year. One way to capture these precious moments is through professional photography sessions. But with so much going on in a baby’s first year, it can be tough to know when the best time is to schedule these photoshoots. In this blog post, we’ll explore the various stages of a baby’s first year and discuss when it might be the best time to schedule your baby’s portrait sessions.
Newborn Stage (4 – 6 weeks)
First, let’s talk about the newborn stage. This is typically the first four to six weeks of a baby’s life, and it’s a time when they are still adjusting to life outside the womb. During this stage, babies tend to sleep much of the day and have fairly predictable 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.
One thing to consider when scheduling a newborn session is that it’s best to do it within the first two weeks of your baby’s life. During this time, babies are still very curly and flexible, which allows for all sorts of cute poses. As they get older, they become less flexible, and it becomes more difficult to achieve these types of poses, if that is what you have in mind for your session.
Infant Stage (6 weeks – 6 months)
The next stage of a baby’s first year is the infant stage, which typically lasts from around six weeks to six months. During this time, babies are starting to become more interactive and responsive. They may start to smile, coo, and even laugh. This can be a great time for professional photos, as you can capture some adorable facial expressions.
One thing to keep in mind when scheduling infant photoshoots is that babies this age can be a bit more unpredictable. They may have longer periods of wakefulness followed by longer periods of sleep, and their feeding and diaper-changing needs can be more frequent. It’s a good idea to schedule photoshoots around your baby’s naps and feedings, and to be prepared for any unexpected needs that may arise during the photoshoot. Your photographer can help guide you on these things.
Sitting/Crawling Stage (6 – 8 months)
As babies reach the six- to eight-month mark, they are becoming more mobile and will usually start to sit and crawl. This can be a great time to photograph a baby because they are often sitting up well, but not yet crawling. At this stage, they are generally pretty stable and able to sit upright without assistance. This means that they can be more easily posed and positioned for photographs, allowing the photographer to capture a wider range of shots.
Babies at this stage are also often more interactive and responsive. They may be starting to babble, laugh, and make other facial expressions, which can make for some adorable and memorable photos. The best part of photographing your baby at this stage is that they cannot crawl away yet! That allows the photographer to capture them being super cute without chasing them!
Standing/Walking Stage (9 – 12 months)
Finally, as babies reach the nine- to 12-month mark, they are becoming more and more independent. They may be standing and taking their first steps, and may be starting to explore their surroundings more. This can be a great time for capturing these big milestones and your baby’s growing curiosity and sense of adventure.
One thing to keep in mind when scheduling photoshoots during this stage is that babies are starting to become more active and may not be as willing to sit still for long periods of time. It’s a good idea to choose a photographer who is flexible, can work with your baby’s needs and energy levels, and has experience capturing babies at this age.
In Conclusion…
There are several stages of a baby’s first year that can be great times for professional photoshoots. Each stage offers unique opportunities to capture your baby’s development and personality. These recommendations are just general guidelines, as not all babies hit milestones at the same time. Your photographer can help guide you in choosing when it’s the right time for photography sessions for your baby.
Hi, I’m Rachel, and I love photographing babies in the Philadelphia area! As a mother of four, I have taken what I have learned as a mother to the studio to give you the very best experience when it comes to capturing some of your most precious moments on camera. I love baby milestone sessions, and also do cake smash sessions! Reach out and we can chat about it!
