The Big Milestones to Capture in Baby’s First Year

The first year of a baby’s life is a huge explosion of growth, discovery, and constant change. From the moment your baby arrives, it feels like there’s something new to celebrate every day. Whether it’s their first smile, the moment they learn to sit up, or their first step, these milestones are a joy to witness. As parents, you want to preserve these precious moments, but with so much happening, it’s hard to know where to start. So, let’s take a look at the big milestones you should capture and how to make those photos extra special.

What Are the Big Milestones to Capture?

The first year is packed with so many amazing milestones that mark your baby’s development. Some are big, visible changes, while others are smaller but just as important.

• Grasping toys and reaching out: From the moment they grab your finger to holding their first toy, it’s so fun to see them begin to realize that if they want to hold something, they can do it! 
• Smiling, laughing, and making sounds: These early expressions of emotion and communication are magical, and documenting those moments shows just how much they’re growing.
• Rolling over and sitting up: These are like the first big “wow” moments! When your baby starts rolling over or sitting up, it’s a game-changer. They’re growing, and you get to witness it.
• Crawling, standing, and walking: This is where things get REALLY exciting! Watching them start to crawl, stand, and then take their first wobbly steps will melt your heart (and really keep you on your toes!) 
• First words: Whether it’s “mama,” “dada,” or a just a sweet babble, your baby’s first real word is a milestone that will forever be etched in your heart.

And let’s be real: one of the cutest milestones is when your little one reaches out to you—putting their tiny hand on your leg and looking up at you with that pure, unconditional love. Cue the heart-melting.

How to Capture All the Milestones?

Okay, so we really want to photograph all of these precious moments. But let’s face it—it’s not exactly realistic to book a full photo shoot every time your baby does something cute and new. Plus, some of these moments might be better captured in a quick cell phone pick or a video rather than a posed photo. But don’t worry, there are certain milestones that deserve their own photoshoot—and we’ve got some ideas for those. (Side note: if you DO want to book a full session for everything cute and new your baby does, I. Am. Here. For. It. )

Newborn Session

While not technically a milestone in the traditional sense, the first few weeks of your baby’s life are absolutely worth documenting. Newborn photography captures your baby’s delicate features, soft skin, and tiny curled-up poses that melt your heart. You’ll want to capture their squishy little faces, tiny hands, and adorable toes. A peaceful newborn shoot is a perfect way to start your photo collection, and it’s something you’ll look back on with so much nostalgia as your baby grows.

• Newborn sessions are typically photographed between 5 days and 21 days old, although I have successfully done newborn sessions up to 6 weeks old. 

Tummy Time

Tummy time might not seem like a big deal, but it’s one of the first signs your baby is getting stronger and more coordinated. It’s also one of the most adorable milestones to photograph! The smiles, the effort, the wobbly heads—it’s all so heartwarming. Plus, those chubby little baby bellies are just too cute not to capture. A tummy time session is often filled with smiles and laughter as your baby begins to explore the world around them from a new angle. 

• Tummy time sessions are photographed when your baby fully reaches this milestone, typically between 4-5 months old. 

Sitter Session

Once your baby can sit up unassisted they really start to show off their personality. A sitter session is one of the most fun milestones to photograph because they’re starting to interact with their world. They can reach for toys, smile at you, and maybe even give a little giggle or two. It’s a perfect time to snap those adorable candid shots that capture their playful spirit. And bonus – they typically can’t crawl away from us yet! 

• Sitter sessions are photographed when baby can sit unassisted on his own, typically between 6-9 months old. 

One-Year Session – The Big 1! 

You did it—you’ve made it through the first year! The one-year session is the grand finale of all those milestones. Whether you’re doing a cake smash or just letting them run around in their cute birthday outfit, this session is all about celebrating everything they’ve learned and become. 

The first year is full of so many incredible moments—some big, some small, but each one so very special. You know you’ll want to remember every single one. While it’s not always practical to book a photographer for every little milestone, the key moments—newborn photos, tummy time, the sitter stage, and the big one-year birthday session—are perfect for capturing memories that will last a lifetime. And trust me, you’ll want to have those photos to look back on when your little one is all grown up.

So go ahead, start planning those photo shoots, and get ready to capture all the cuteness and joy that comes with your baby’s first year!

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