Your baby’s first year is full of little changes that somehow happen faster than you expect.
One minute you are bringing home a tiny newborn.
Then they are smiling at you.
Then they are sitting.
Then crawling.
And before you know it, you are choosing a first birthday theme.
That is why many parents choose to photograph more than one stage during the first year. Each session captures a completely different version of your baby.
You definitely do not need to photograph every milestone, but there are a few stages that are especially lovely to preserve.
The Newborn Stage
The newborn stage is where everything begins.
Those tiny fingers, sleepy expressions, little stretches and curled-up poses change incredibly quickly during the first few weeks.
At Jenna D Photography, newborn sessions can take place from the first days after birth up to approximately three months old.
The very early newborn stage is ideal for those sleepy, curled-up photographs, but older newborn babies can still be photographed beautifully too.
As babies get older, they may spend more time awake, stretch more and make more eye contact, which gives the session a slightly different feel.
Newborn sessions can also include parents and siblings, depending on the package selected.
Those first family photographs often become some of the most meaningful images in the gallery.
The Sitter Stage
The sitter stage is one of my favourite baby milestones to photograph.
It usually happens somewhere around six to eight months, although every baby develops at their own pace.
The important part is that your baby can sit confidently without support.
This stage is completely different from newborn photography.
Babies are usually much more expressive, alert and curious.
You may start seeing little teeth, chubby legs, big smiles and a personality that is suddenly very obvious.
A sitter session is perfect if you want photographs somewhere between the sleepy newborn stage and the first birthday.
It is also a lovely option for parents who missed out on newborn photographs.
The First Birthday Stage
And then comes the big ONE.
A first birthday is such a special milestone because your baby has changed so much in only twelve months.
Cake smash sessions are a fun way to celebrate that first year, but the session does not have to be only about cake.
Depending on the package selected, we can start with family photographs and individual birthday portraits before moving on to the cake smash.
Afterwards, baby can finish with a warm milk or bubble bath.
This gives you a much more complete first birthday gallery instead of only photographs of baby covered in icing.
Do You Need to Photograph Every Stage?
No.
You absolutely do not need to book every milestone.
Choose the stages that mean the most to you.
Some parents love maternity and newborn photographs.
Others choose newborn and first birthday.
Some families come back for newborn, sitter and cake smash sessions.
There is no right or wrong way to document your baby’s first year.
The most important thing is choosing the stages you know you will want to remember.
Which Baby Milestone Is Best for You?
If your baby is still very young, a newborn session may be the best option.
If your baby can sit confidently and has started showing lots of personality, a sitter session is a lovely stage to capture.
If the first birthday is approaching, a cake smash session can celebrate the end of that incredible first year.
And if you missed one stage, do not worry.
There is always another beautiful milestone coming.
Baby Milestone Photography at Jenna D Photography
Jenna D Photography offers studio sessions for newborns, babies, sitters, first birthdays and families in Waverley, Pretoria.
The studio has outfits, props and setups available for different stages, making it easy to create a variety of photographs during your session.
If your baby is approaching a milestone you would love to remember, contact Jenna D Photography for current package information and availability.
