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.

Birthday and Milestone Photoshoot Ideas (That Aren’t a Cake Smash)

I’ll be honest, I adore a good cake smash! But I realize that not every family wants to celebrate baby’s first birthday or other milestones that way. Maybe your little one has allergies or food sensitivities. Maybe they get overwhelmed easily and you feel like a smash and splash would be too much for them to handle. Or maybe a cake smash just isn’t your thing.

Don’t worry! There are plenty of other ways to celebrate. Here are just a few birthday and milestone photoshoot ideas for you that don’t involve dessert.

Birthday Celebrations

Balloons

Nothing says “party” like balloons! This is one of my favorite ways to decorate the studio for a birthday session. And since balloons come in all colors, they’ll go with any theme or color scheme.

Fresh Fruits

If you like the idea of a food smash but want a healthier option than cake, fresh fruits can be super fun! Strawberries or watermelon slices are fun and add a bright pop of color whether baby is interested in eating them or not.

Bubbles

Bubbles can be a great way to engage your little one’s interest and get some adorable shots!

Milestones

One-Year Portraits

If you prefer to save the party for home, consider a one-year portrait session rather than a cake smash. I have some beautiful and classic backdrop options, and am more than happy to include parents in some of our portraits as well, so you can have updated family and one-year baby pictures all in one session!

Sitter Sessions

The first birthday isn’t the only important milestone to capture. Sitter sessions are perfect for documenting baby’s growth between birth and one-year. As a first year baby photographer, I love getting all of those in-between moments that other photographers might miss.

Outdoor Session

If you’re just not sure about a studio session, another fun way to celebrate milestones is to head outside. Most kids love exploring the great outdoors, so if you feel like they would be more comfortable at a park or favorite location, let me know and we can arrange an outdoor meeting place for portraits.

Orange County, New York First Year Baby Photographer

If a cake smash just isn’t going to work for you, I hope it won’t stop you from capturing professional photos of your little one. There are so many other wonderful options for freezing those moments in time. If you have a non-cake-smash birthday or milestone photoshoot idea you’d like to try, please be in touch! I love serving families in and around Orange County, New York, and would be delighted to see if we can create a photoshoot that’s perfect for your needs.

Milestone Photo Session with Teddy Bears | New Jersey Baby and Child Photographer

This little girl’s milestone photo session with teddy bears was just the BEST! Cake smashes are probably my most popular type of session request I get for kiddos around a year old, but they are definitely not the only option I have. I also love just doing more traditional portraits that capture a unique milestone in your child’s life.

This sweetheart was a little over a year old at the time of our session. Mom loves regularly booking professional photos so she can capture all the big milestones as her daughter grows. I LOVE this! As a parent myself, I know just how fast the time flies. And I know it can seem like an investment—but truly, you will never regret having those pictures taken!

One of the fun things about a milestone photo session is that you can really make it your own. We included this little girl’s teddy friends as well as her favorite blanket. Little details like this help make your portraits even more personal, and they are so fun to look back on. It makes me so happy to fast forward in my mind a few years and see this mom and daughter looking at these photos together. I can just hear this little girl, maybe about to head off for college, exclaiming, “I remember that blanket!” or remembering the name of her favorite teddy bear and all the fun adventures she had with her stuffed animal buddies.

The stages of childhood won’t keep forever, which is why a milestone photo session is such a beautiful way to hold on to those times and remember the seasons of our lives, even as they change. Every stage is beautiful, and it deserves to be recorded! So don’t wait for a special occasion—book a milestone photoshoot for your child and capture all those sweet details now, because they will change faster than you ever thought possible.