Congratulations on this fun phase of nesting and planning for baby! Perhaps you are up late pinning things for the nursery, researching the best baby gear (Here's a good list on what you really need), or maybe baby just arrived and you are thinking about ways to document your sweet new little one. Whatever phase you are in, take a deep breath and remember that there is no wrong way to document your baby. Just take deep breaths and have some fun!

A person wearing a cozy knit sweater holds a small child while looking out a window into nature.

Monthly Milestone Photos


These are the ones you are probably most familiar with. Each month you set your baby up for the same photo to highlight their growth and development. What you may not know is that it takes a lot more than just a cutesy set up to get a great monthly photo.

Baby wearing a "BEBE" shirt lies on mint green cushion with pacifier in mouth.
A bearded adult and swaddled baby lying on gray fabric looking up at the camera.
A sleeping baby in white clothing rests peacefully on a dark brown surface.
A series of peaceful images showing a sleeping newborn baby in white clothing on soft white bedding.

No matter the set up, use natural light.


Whether you prop your kiddo up on the same kind of chair and photograph from in front of them or you lay them down on a special blanket and photograph them from above, you will want the best light possible. Windows and doorways at all times of year can provide the right lighting.


Turn off your indoor overhead lights to enhance the natural light in your photo. Your phone or camera will pick up more light than your naked eyes.

Baby in red and black buffalo plaid outfit lies on gray blanket with number 2 milestone marker.
A collection of stuffed plush toys including bears, elephants, and tigers arranged in a row on a couch or sofa.

Now you can focus on what prop to include.


A stuffed animal, a pizza box with the same number of slices as months, a favorite book, or a special seasonly appropriate flower each month are all adorable ideas. I’ve collected a lot of examples on a Pinterest Board for you.


Have fun with it and go with the flow. If you miss a month, don't stress about it...just document it whenever you think of it (even if babe is a few days or even weeks older). Or just skip a month and move on!

A small child in a green tutu skirt reaches up to touch a wooden table edge in a dimly lit room.

Keep in mind:


In those last few months, baby will be a lot more mobile and wiggly, so keep it somewhere that will grow with your child. A soft chair.



Be patient and try to time it right…after a nap, after a snack or meal. 

A person crouches on an artificial turf sports field on a sunny day with stadium lights visible in the distance.
Toddler in a floral dress sits on the floor playing with colorful blocks while adults watch nearby.
A collage of four close-up photos showing a baby's face with chocolate or food smeared around their mouth.
A caregiver and child play together with a bright red plush toy on a dark surface.

Other Major Milestones to consider documenting:


  • First Teeth
  • Sitting Up On Their Own
  • First Solid Foods!
  • First time crawling!
  • First steps!
  • First bus ride? First boat trip? First airplane ride?
  • First Day of Daycare?
  • First trip to the zoo or aquarium or children’s museum


A baby in white sleeps peacefully while being held against a person wearing a black and white striped shirt.
A baby wearing a yellow knit hat and white outfit smiles at the camera.
A series of tender moments between parent and child wearing a bright yellow necklace and blue shirt.
A tender moment captured in warm tones as a parent in a white sweater cradles a sleeping baby wearing a beige outfit.

Don’t forget to get in the frame with Baby!


This is the one that I feel truly passionate about. We all know Primary Parent isn’t feeling their best after baby’s arrival. Heck, even Partner Two isn’t feeling their best after being up in the night a lot. Still…no matter how you feel…you are everything special to that baby.


Weigh a little more than before? Your baby is cushioned and loved and comfortable in your arms.


Healing from a C section? Your body did that! Wow!


Every single negative thing that may pop up in your head to talk you out of getting in the photos too can and should be flipped around. You are strong, you are loving, you are this babies world.


Even if it's a totally blurry phone photo, you still deserve to hop in the frame!


Some day…hopefully 80 years from now,  photos might just be all this sweet babe has left of you. Don’t you want to be remembered? Don’t you want them to see how much you loved them and cared for them then? Don’t you want to someday look back on yourself someday with awe and say…wow, look at me! I did that!


Not getting in the frame enough? This is the perfect reason to hire a professional to ensure you have beautiful images with proof that you were there too. Ready to do just that? Contact me and let's chat about the perfect for you photo session.