Milestones

Milestones in a child's life can be celebrated in a variety of ways. It is important to remember to capture each of these cherished stages in a young child's life because they are changing and developing so quickly. Here are a few things to keep in mind when photographing these important moments.

Infants (newborn to 6 weeks)

Infancy is a wonderful time to create family relationship portraits. Some of the strongest images come from parents interacting with their newborn. For this session, some of the images can be skin-on-skin. These can make for some beautiful and timeless black & white portraits.

3-month-olds

By now the baby has mastered smiling. He recognizes Mom’s voice and responds to her cooing. This is a great time to photograph the baby’s little hands, feet, tummy, and a tight close-up of the face. We also like to some relationship portraits with mommy, daddy, and the baby.

6- to 7-month-olds

This is where working with babies really gets fun. These portraits work best when the child is sitting up. This shows the child’s advancement and reflects his interests and personality. This is also a great time for the classic nude shot. A baby sitting bare on a blanket, photographed from above, can make a fantastic image.

1-year-olds

Traditionally, first-year portraits mark an important milestone for parents. You have survived the mental stress of having an infant, the sleepless nights, the frequent feedings and bottle washing, and countless diaper changes. The child is undergoing rapid and exciting developmental changes that foreshadow a more independent future. The perfect time to photograph a child is as soon as he can stand, but before he can walk. This is also a good stage to try outdoor photography.

18 months to 2 years

Some of the best images at this stage happen when the child is busy doing something. A little girl examining a flower and a boy playing with a pull toy are classics. When a toddler gazes up at you, and you capture that soft little look, you are sure to melt your heart.

Taken from an article written by Sandy Puc for Professional Photographer Magazine.