Richmond Baby Milestone Guide: First Year

That first year of your baby’s life flies by in a blur of firsts, growth, and changes! A milestone session package provides a beautiful way to document these precious stages professionally. This Richmond baby milestone guide will help you understand options, timing, and how to prepare for these special portraits.

Richmond Baby Milestone Guide Packages

Most milestone packages include 3-4 sessions throughout baby’s first year: newborn (1-hour, 30-40 images), sitting up (around 6-7 months), standing/first steps (around 9-10 months), and first birthday. Some families choose to add a 3-month session to capture those first social smiles and stronger head control.

Booking a complete milestone package in advance ensures you have priority spots on my calendar during these fleeting stages. Most Richmond photographers offer package pricing that provides savings compared to booking individual sessions.

Richmond Baby Milestone Guide Timing

The newborn portion of your Richmond baby milestone guide typically happens within the first two weeks after birth—text me when settled for flexibility up to 4 weeks since I focus on lifestyle shots.

The “sitting up” milestone usually occurs around 6-7 months, when baby can sit unassisted but isn’t yet crawling. A perfect stage for capturing those gummy smiles and curious expressions as baby explores the world from this new perspective.

Many families choose a “standing” or “crawler” session around 9-10 months, documenting baby’s increasing mobility and independence. These active sessions capture authentic moments of exploration and play.

The final session in your milestone package celebrates that big first birthday! Typically scheduled 1-2 weeks before the actual birthday party, these portraits often include a cake smash and showcase how much your little one has grown throughout that incredible first year.

Preparing for Each Milestone Session

Each stage requires slightly different preparation to ensure successful portraits. For newborn sessions, the focus is on keeping baby comfortable, fed, and sleepy in my studio or your in-home space—capturing solo shots and family if desired.

For sitting sessions, timing around naps is crucial. A well-rested baby is much more likely to show off those adorable smiles and personality! Schedule this session during baby’s happiest time of day, typically mid-morning after their first nap.

Crawler and standing sessions benefit from including some familiar toys or books that might encourage movement and authentic play. These sessions capture baby’s emerging personality and independence beautifully.

First birthday sessions often include multiple setups: traditional portraits, family images, and the fun cake smash finale! Many families bring a special outfit for the formal portraits and a separate outfit (or just a diaper cover) for the messier cake portion.

What to Wear for Milestone Sessions

Simple, timeless clothing works best for milestone portraits. For newborns, simple wraps, swaddles, and neutral onesies create timeless images that won’t look dated years from now—perfect for my bed or couch setups.

Likewise, as baby grows, continue with simple styles that won’t distract from their adorable expressions. Avoid large logos, characters, or text on clothing that draws attention away from their face.

Richmond Baby Milestone Guide Keepsakes

Many families create a first-year album that combines images from all milestone sessions—a beautiful documentation of that incredible first year of growth. Wall galleries featuring one image from each session also make stunning nursery decorations.

Also, consider displaying a few favorite images at your child’s first birthday party! A photo display or slideshow adds a personal touch to the celebration and allows family and friends to marvel at how much your little one has grown.

This Richmond baby milestone guide provides a framework, but remember that your baby’s development follows its own timeline. I’ll work with you to capture each milestone as it naturally occurs, creating authentic portraits that tell the unique story of your child’s first year.

Discover more with our maternity photoshoot outfit ideas!
If you’re looking for a studio in the Richmond area for your newborn, family, maternity or other type of session, check out The Studio on Broad!