As a parent, you probably want to capture every moment of your baby’s first year of life. That’s why baby pictures are so important! And while taking photos on your phone can be a great way to document these precious moments, there’s nothing quite like professional pictures taken by a baby photographer. Not only do they capture the beauty and innocence of your ever changing little one, but they also serve as cherished keepsakes that you can look back on for years to come. But, how often should you get baby pictures done or photos within the first year of your baby’s life? In this blog post, we’ll explore the different stages of your baby’s first year and the types of photos you can take at each stage.

So, how often should you get baby pictures done in the first year of your baby’s life? The answer can depend on a variety of factors, including your personal preferences, your budget, and your baby’s development. However, there are certain milestone photos that many parents choose to have taken during the first year of their baby’s life.

One popular option is to schedule a photo shoot every few months. For example, you might get photos done at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. These ages mark significant physical and emotional changes in your baby’s development. This can be a great way to see how your baby grows and changes over the course of the year.

Which baby milestones are most important?

Newborn Photos

Newborn Photos are an absolute MUST! The first few weeks of your baby’s life are a blur of sleepless nights, feeding, and diaper changes. It’s also the time when your baby is at their tiniest and most delicate, it is the perfect time to capture these sweet moments. Newborn photos are typically taken within the first couple weeks of your baby’s life. This is before they start to become more alert and aware of their surroundings.

According to Mommyhood101 ( click here ), “Newborn photography should be done within the first 10-14 days of life when they’re still very sleepy and curled up like they were in the womb. After that point, they start to stretch out and become more aware of their surroundings, making it harder to get those sweet, curled-up poses.”

Three Month Photos/Tummy Time-Rollers

One of the first milestone photos that many parents opt for is 3 month baby photos. Many baby photographers call this “Tummy-time” o “Roller” photo sessions. At this time your baby is starting to develop their own personality and is becoming more aware of their surroundings. This is the perfect time to capture your baby’s first smiles and giggles. Your baby will be able to lift their head while on their stomach, which makes for adorable photos. Rolling over is also a significant milestone that happens around three to four months. You can capture some cute photos of your baby rolling over and playing on their tummy. These photos can be a great way to capture your baby’s early development and their growing personality.

According to Rave Reviews ( click here ), a review site, “The three-month milestone session captures the beginning of your baby’s transformation from sleepy newborn to playful infant.”. On The Bump ( click here ), a parenting website, they say, “Six-month milestone photos are all about capturing the joy and personality that is emerging.”

6 Month Photos/Sitters

The six-month photo session is usually referred to as the “Sitter” photo session by baby photographers. Around six to eight months, many babies are able to sit up on their own without support. Many babies at this time may be even able to crawl. It opens up a whole new world of photo opportunities. This is a great time to have sitter photos taken, as your baby is more expressive and can interact with their surroundings in new ways. Sitter sessions are a great way to capture your baby’s newfound independence and personality. You can dress them up in cute outfits and capture their big smiles and personality.

According to an article on Parents.com ( click here ), “Most babies can sit up unsupported by 6 months old, so it’s the perfect time for a photo shoot. Around 6 to 7 months, your baby is able to sit unsupported, but not yet crawl. So, you can capture some cute pictures of your baby in various poses and outfits. This age is perfect for capturing those chubby cheeks and happy expressions.”

9 Month Photos/Crawlers-Movers

At nine months, your baby is on the move! At nine months, your baby may be crawling or getting ready to crawl. The nine-month photo session is lovingly referred to as a “crawler” or “mover” photo session. These photo sessions are often looked or passed over because parents can feel that there are other more important milestones . But many milestone photographers offer first year packages or incentives for purchasing a group of milestone sessions. These packages often include 9 month sessions.

According to Pampers ( click here ), a parenting website, “Nine-month milestone sessions are all about capturing the fun and energy of a little one on the move.”

1 Year Photos/Cake Smash Photos

Finally, at one year, your baby has reached a significant milestone: their first birthday. The “one-year” photo session is usually referred to as the “cake smash” or “smash and splash” photo session. This age is perfect for capturing the fun and excitement of your baby’s first birthday. There are so many ways that baby photographers offer to capture this milestone.

A cake smash photo shoot is a fun and messy way to celebrate your baby’s first birthday. Your little one can dig into their first birthday cake while you capture their adorable messy faces. Many photographers offer portraits before they bring out the cake smash portion. If your lucky your photographer will offer a “bath-time” or “splash” portion to clean up at the end. One Year photos can also be a fun way to involve siblings or other family members in the photo shoot.

According to an article on BabyCenter.com ( click here ), “A cake smash photo shoot is a great way to celebrate your baby’s first birthday. This type of photo shoot is all about having fun, and your baby is sure to love the cake! It’s a great opportunity to capture your baby’s personality and have some fun memories to look back on.”

When and how often should you get baby pictures done?

So, how often should you get baby pictures done during your baby’s first year? It really depends on your personal preference and budget. Some parents choose to do a professional baby photography session for each milestone. While others opt for a more casual approach and take photos at home or with a smartphone.

One thing to keep in mind is that babies grow and change so quickly. It’s easy to miss a milestone if you wait too long. If you do decide to do professional milestone photo sessions, it’s best to schedule them in advance. I always recommend to schedule them all together with your maternity session. This can also help you get a deal or discount in stead of scheduling them individually, making these sessions more affordable.

Ultimately, how often you get professional baby photography done will depend on your personal preferences and budget. Some families might choose to get photos done every few months, while others might opt for just a few sessions throughout the year. If you’re not sure where to start, consider talking to a local photographer who specializes in baby and family photos. They can help you create a plan that works for your family and budget.