Mini Milestone Photo Session FAQs | New Jersey/New York Baby Photographer

When you think of baby pictures, chances are you think of a newborn session. I absolutely LOVE newborn photos and I think they’re an essential for every parent to have. But there are so many other memories to capture as your little one grows. Lots of these can be documented at home, but it’s fun to have professional images of that in-between newborn and one-year-old stage. The best way to do that? A mini milestone photo session!

What is a Mini Milestone Photoshoot?

Lots of people book newborn and 1-year cake smash photos. But what about all the milestones in between? Mini milestone baby photo sessions are meant to capture that wonderful stage of babyhood when your little one is no longer a newborn, but not quite a toddler either. They’re becoming more smiley and interactive at this stage and it’s so much fun—you deserve to have memories of this time too!

For my milestone sessions, I use an all-neutral set with several props for your little one to sit on/in and interact with. You are also welcome to bring teddy bears or other favorite toys from home to personalize your photos.

When Are Mini Milestone Sessions Held?

Milestone pictures can be done anytime between 7-10 months to capture that special moment in time. I particularly love photographing around the 9-month mark as I find that is when their funny little personalities really shine!

What Do Milestone Baby Photos Cost?

If you select my Luxury or Elite newborn collection for your little one, these come with a complimentary mini milestone session!

If you weren’t able to book a newborn session with me, we can still schedule a mini milestone photoshoot. These are just a few hundred dollars and a limited number of digital images are included.

What if I Want a Longer Milestone Photoshoot, or More Photos?

My mini milestone sessions are short and sweet. I know babies have a short attention span at this stage, and you are super busy too! It only takes 15 minutes to capture adorable baby pictures during my minis. However, I also offer full-session milestone shoots, if you want a longer time slot or a larger collection of photos.

Ask Your New Jersey/New York Baby Photographer

Any other questions about milestone or baby photography? Just ask! I’m happy to chat with you or help you figure out the perfect session for you and your little one.

Baby’s First Year in Photos: Milestones to Capture as Your Little One Grows

I can’t tell you how excited and honored I am to capture your family’s special moments! While I love seeing your babies in my New Jersey studio for every single one of their milestones, from newborn to sitter to first birthday cake smash, I know it’s not always an option for families to have a professional photoshoot every single month. And yet—I want you to have all those memories!

So I thought I’d provide you with a quick rundown of baby’s first year, including some of the important milestones you’ll want to capture with your own camera at home. Plus, I’ve got recommendations for the best ages and stages to invest in professional portraits of your little one. Read on for what milestones to look for as your baby grows!

Milestones to Capture During Baby’s First Year

Months 1-2: Welcoming Baby

This is the stage where everything is new—for both you and baby! If you can only afford to book a professional photoshoot once during baby’s first year, make it a newborn photography session. This time of life is irreplaceable and it goes by so fast. This is your baby’s introduction to the world and to your family, and as a mom, trust me when I say that you will want beautiful, heirloom-quality images to remember this time of sweet snoozes and snuggles with your brand new bundle.

A professional photographer can help you safely achieve those cute Instagram poses, like froggy pose, womb pose, and chin-on-hands. They can also get adorable closeups with a focus on tiny details like fingers, toes, and lips. Learn more about professional newborn portraits here.

As you continue to photograph your newborn at home before and after your newborn session, I recommend focusing on the interactions between you and your little one. Catching those sweet moments when baby is asleep on dad’s chest, or one of your older kiddos sneaks in for a kiss—there is nothing better!

Months 3-5: Growing Up Fast

You won’t believe how much baby is growing already as they begin to hold up their head and start showing more interest in the world around them. At this stage, they are beginning to develop the motor skills that allow them to interact with toys and enjoy tummy time a bit more.

If you’re snapping photos at home, some fun ideas include:

·         Baby pictures with favorite toys

·         Interactions with mom, dad, or other family and friends

·         First smiles and giggles

·         Reactions to new stimuli

Months 5-8: Sitting and Crawling

Once they start being able to sit on their own and move around independently, a whole new level of adventure begins! This is another great time to get professional baby pictures with a sitter session. As parents, we often don’t realize how much our baby is changing—because it’s happening right before our eyes. You will be stunned when you compare images from your newborn and sitter sessions at how much your little one has changed already!

Whether you choose to do a sitter session at the studio or try your hand at DIY baby photos, here are some ideas for fun milestones to capture at this stage:

·         Trying new foods

·         Interactions with siblings, friends, or pets

·         Grabbing their own toes

·         Crawling and exploring

Months 8-10: Finding Their Footing

Some babies are still at the sitting and crawling stage here, while others are learning to pull themselves up on furniture and try out standing. Either way, this is another great time for professional baby portraits! Even if you don’t come into the studio at this point, remember that this is also the time to book your baby’s cake smash for their first birthday celebration. I’m so excited to get that call and start planning!

In the meantime, fun milestones to capture at home include:

·         Mealtimes

·         Pulling themselves up on furniture

·         Those first wobbly attempts to stand

·         Playtime in the bathtub (most kids are enjoying water toys at this point, making bathtime extra fun!)

Months 10-12: Approaching Toddlerhood and First Birthday!

Maybe baby is taking their first steps by now or maybe not. But it’s a guarantee that they are more active than ever and getting cuter by the day! Not to mention…almost ONE! This is a HUGE milestone that definitely deserves to be captured by a professional. My favorite way to celebrate is with a custom cake smash!

If you book a cake smash with me, we’ll get both milestone and cake smash photos before wrapping up with some of the cutest splash pics ever in my miniature tub! Every session is completely customized, so we can party with any theme you choose! Learn more here.

Even with a cake smash photoshoot, there are still plenty of exciting moments to capture at home:

·         First steps

·         All the adventures that come with first steps (once they start walking—watch out!)

·         The birthday party (of course!)

First Year Baby Photographer Serving Little Ones and Families in NJ, NY, and CT

I hope I’ll be seeing you and your little one in the studio very frequently throughout baby’s first year. But no matter how often I get to see you, I hope these milestone photo ideas ensure that you have pictures of all the best moments of your little one’s babyhood, from day one to year one. Enjoy your sweet bundle, soak up every moment, and know that I’m thinking of you and am so honored to be your baby photographer! Can’t wait to start planning your next session!

Lake Hopatcong Newborn Photography Session | Sweet Baby and Parent Pictures

What a cutie! Loved doing the Lake Hopatcong newborn photography session for this adorable baby girl. I worked with her grandma and have known mom since she was elementary age. (Yes, I know I’m dating myself by admitting that!) But basically, I go back a long way with this family!

I was so very excited when I found out mom and her hubby were expecting. And even more thrilled when they asked if I would do their newborn photoshoot! There is nothing I like better than working my magic with these tiny bundles and capturing sweet memories for their parents to cherish. If I’m honest though, I didn’t have to work a whole lot of magic with this little princess. She was AMAZING for her session! Such a sweet lil girl.

I always send my families my newborn photo session prep guide with some tips and tricks for getting baby sleepy before they come to the studio. Since this family lives in Lake Hopatcong, about 45 minutes from my studio in West Milford, NJ, they had a little bit of a drive to get to me. I quite often have families who drive over an hour for their baby pictures, so I’m always prepared with a few tricks up my sleeves in case baby slept during the drive and isn’t feeling super drowsy for their photoshoot. But sometimes—like with this little one—they are totally happy to just keep napping!

I love the sweet baby-only and baby and parent pictures we were able to create during our time together. So very precious—and so great to catch up with this family and celebrate this exciting time with them!

Baby Pictures near Lake Hopatcong New Jersey

If you’re looking for a newborn photographer near Lake Hopatcong, I hope you’ll be in touch! I am honored to serve families throughout New Jersey, and would love to welcome you and your little one to my studio!