Do I really need a photographer to capture my baby’s first year?
I have heard so many moms say “But should I really hire a photographer to capture my Baby’s First Year?” And I want to shout “Yes, yes, you should! Your Baby’s First Year is going to fly by and they will change so much from month to month.” I am a momma to three kids. They are 16, 12, and 6 years old and my oldest two children were little, we didn’t have the money to hire photographers. Or that’s what I told myself.
I placed value on other things we did instead of photography and then suddenly almost 4 years ago, I realize that I’m building a business where I tell people they need professional photos of their families yet I haven’t had one done in years. *insert huge eye roll* So we hired a photographer immediately and had the sweetest family session done in downtown Raleigh. Now I try to have a session done at least once a year. And then of course, I capture my children all through the year.
But I have a huge regret…I regret that I didn’t have professional photos done through their first year to capture their milestones. Mamas, our babies change so fast! Their little features, little hands, and little (sometimes) bald heads don’t look that way for long. Even in just a month, babies can change tremendously.
“But I can take my own pictures with my cell phone!”
I think our beautiful iPhones, cell phones, and Instagram give us this fake sense of reality when it comes to our babies and children being captured. Sure, they are great for snapping images of our daily lives but are they the professional portraits that a photographer who specializes in baby and family photography can capture in your baby’s first year? I’m not going to go through all the reasons why they aren’t but they just aren’t the same quality as a brilliant photographer who knows how to work her magic! You want images that will print beautifully in large sizes that will last a lifetime. If you find a photographer who is truly gifted with babies then they will pull out your baby’s personality and you will never regret those beautiful images.
What is considered Baby’s First Year?
So what is considered Baby’s First Year in my Grow With Me Package? Some photographers consider certain months to be the important milestones. Newborn, 3, 6, 9, or 12 months…Newborn, 4, 8, or 12 months…or even Newborn, 6 and 12 months. I will do any combination of those months for my clients because I love all those ages but I consider true milestones to be 3 things. Usually these three events fall right around 4, 8, and 12 months.
Tummy Time! I consider baby pushing up on their hands/arms with their head held high to be a true milestone. You can see how proud they are of themselves! During a session, I aim to capture them on their backs from a profile view playing with fingers and feet, pulling them to their mouths, on their backs so I can get their full on face, and tummy time so they are looking right at the camera
Sitting! Sitting is another wonderful milestone. I will still capture them on their backs from the side and overhead, tummy time, and sitting. Often they are just starting to crawl or creep and it’s so cute to see them coming towards the camera eager to explore!
First Birthday! And of course, their first birthday! I love to do simple set ups and fun themes for my babies. We do a cake (or another type of fun food) and sometimes we’ll do a splash in the tub and it’s always so fun! I usually do it a few weeks before babies turn one so that my clients can have their galleries back in time for their birthday parties.
The beautiful images of Vivian represent how beautifully you can capture your Baby’s First Year. From her newborn session to her 4 months (tummy time) session to her 8 months (sitting) session to her 1st Birthday Celebration….they are some of my favorite images from the last year and I know that her mama & daddy adore them. So friends, get on it! Book your Baby’s First Year package and I promise you that you will NOT regret it!
Happy 1st Birthday, sweet girl! 
Check out this sweet Elf SESSION to see more milestone work. But fair warning…you may crave something sweet after. Designing that whole session made me hungry!
The beautiful moon and stars backdrop, the wood floor drop and backdrop is from Fancy Fabric & Props.
