tacoma milestone PHOTOGRAPHY
The first year of a baby’s life is a journey of growth, discovery, and love. From those first sleepy newborn days to the giggles, rolls, and steps that follow, each stage is filled with memories that are precious, fleeting, and unlike any other. As parents, we often feel the passage of time so intensely during these early months, and it can be hard to hold on to each small, beautiful detail as life moves forward. That’s where photography comes in.
Investing in professional photos during your baby’s first year is about more than just taking pictures—it’s about preserving the moments that tell the story of your family. Here’s why documenting your baby’s first year is worth every bit of investment, and how these photos become cherished memories that you’ll carry with you forever.
Oh, the changes you will see.
I know you've heard it a million times: Babies grow and change at an incredible rate, especially during the first year.
One moment they’re snuggled up in your arms, so tiny and new; the next, they’re smiling, sitting up, crawling, and then toddling around with wide-eyed curiosity. Each stage brings its own beautiful, irreplaceable milestones. And it all happens in a blink of an eye.
I. Newborn Stage:
This is the time of sleepiness, warmth, and the peaceful weight of your little one nestled in your arms. Newborn photos capture the softness of those early days, the tiny hands and feet, the delicate expressions, and the love that fills your home as you settle into life as a family with a new addition.
II. 6-Month Milestone:
By six months, most babies are full of personality. They’re smiling, rolling over, and often sitting up on their own. They’re wide-eyed, curious, and incredibly interactive. This is a great stage to capture as their individuality starts to shine through, and those chubby cheeks and wide grins make for truly heart-melting photos.
III. First Birthday
The first birthday marks a huge milestone—not just for your baby, but for you as a parent, too. Your little one is likely standing, maybe even taking a few wobbly steps, and their personality is in full bloom. This is a celebration of everything you and your baby have experienced and overcome together in the first year. Many families choose to mark this milestone with a one-year session or a cake smash, making for fun and joyful memories that are full of laughter.
Documenting each of these stages allows you to preserve the story of your baby’s first year, one chapter at a time. These photos are not just for you, but for them—to look back on someday and see the love that surrounded them from the very beginning.
Holding Onto Fleeting Moments Forever
One of the most beautiful and challenging aspects of parenthood is how quickly each moment passes. Babies grow in the blink of an eye, and it’s so easy to forget the tiny details—the way they looked curled up on your chest, the softness of their little hands, that first gummy smile. These moments slip away almost as quickly as they come, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.
This is why investing in professional photography during the first year is so meaningful. Each session is like pressing “pause” on time, capturing your baby exactly as they are in that moment. These images become priceless keepsakes that allow you to relive those moments, even years down the road. Photos help you remember the love, the challenges, the laughter, and the growth of those early days. They become part of your family’s legacy, something to be cherished and shared with future generations.
Session Options to Capture Every Stage of the First Year
Understanding that each family and each baby’s journey is unique, I offer a range of options to capture the milestones throughout your baby’s first year. Here’s a closer look at the sessions I recommend for a well-rounded collection that beautifully documents this once-in-a-lifetime journey.
The Sessions:
I. Newborn
Newborn sessions typically take place within the first two weeks after birth, when your baby is still curled up and sleepy. These sessions are calm, intimate, and relaxed, focusing on the natural beauty of your newborn. I love capturing the tiny, intricate detail - your sweet baby's little toes, delicate eyelashes, and the peaceful way they sleep. A newborn session is perfect for capturing the wonder and newness of those first days, as well as the bond between parents and baby.
- Session Type: In-home lifestyle or moderately but naturally posed newborn photography.
- Timing: Within the first 7-14 days after birth.
- Why It’s Worth It: The newborn phase is so short, and having professional photos from this time will help you remember the sweetness and purity of those early days.
II. 6-Month Session
The six-month mark is when many babies start to sit up on their own, and their personalities are really shining through. This is a playful, expressive stage filled with giggles, chubby cheeks, and those heartwarming little quirks. It’s the perfect time to capture the joy and curiosity of your growing baby. This session often includes more candid moments as they interact, smile, and engage with the world around them.
- Session Type: Lifestyle or on location portraits.
- Timing: Around six months, once your baby is sitting up independently.
- Why It’s Worth It: These mid-year photos capture your baby’s personality as they grow, giving you a precious reminder of their laugh, their expressions, and their bright-eyed wonder. The perfect in between session for marking the half way mark between newborn and 1st birthday.
III. One-Year Session
Turning one is a big milestone! This session is all about celebrating the journey of the first year and the wonderful, unique little person your baby is becoming. Many families choose to do a fun, playful cake smash, letting their baby dig into their first taste of cake while capturing their reactions. Others prefer a more classic portrait session with family photos. Either way, this session is a joyful celebration of all that your baby (and you!) have achieved in the past year.
- Session Type: Cake smash or traditional portrait session.
- Timing: Around the first birthday.
- Why It’s Worth It: This session marks the culmination of your baby’s first year and celebrates everything you’ve been through together as a family. It’s a wonderful way to look back on the past year and reflect on how far you’ve come.
Investing in Memories that Last
When you invest in newborn and milestone photography, you’re investing in more than just images. You’re preserving the memories of your baby’s first year — the love, the laughter, the challenges, and the joy. These photos will be with you long after the sleepless nights and diaper changes are gone, serving as a reminder of this beautiful chapter in your family’s story.
If you’re ready to document your baby’s journey from their first sleepy days as a newborn to their first birthday and beyond, I’d love to be there to capture each special moment. Each session is designed to honor your baby’s individuality and your family’s love story. Let’s create a collection of memories that you’ll cherish forever.
