During the first year, your baby goes through major changes. I’ll show you which stages are especially worth capturing in photos and how to find the right moment for your photo shoot
As soon as your baby arrives, they change week by week, and many parents wonder when the right time is for a baby photo shoot. Every stage of the first year is different, so there isn’t just one right answer—it’s whatever works best for your baby and for you. In this post, I’ll walk you through the first year of life stage by stage and show you what matters when it comes to timing.
Here you will find a brief summary of the main contents of the article:
- There is no “best” time for a baby photo shoot during the first year of life, since each stage of development offers its own unique subjects.
- Three time periods are particularly worthwhile: the first 1 to 2 weeks of life, the period around 6 months when the baby can sit up on their own, and the first birthday.
- Cuddly newborn poses with a sleeping baby can only be captured during the first 1 to 2 weeks after birth.
- At 3 months, babies start to smile and look around with alert eyes; at 6 months, they can sit up on their own; and at 12 months, they take their first steps.
- To provide a comprehensive record of the first year, we usually combine 2 to 3 photo sessions.
- In a nutshell: Three time frames stand out
- Is there a best time for a baby photo shoot?
- At 1 month: The newborn window is over—what now?
- At 3 months: A warm smile blossoms
- At 6 months: Sitting, Marveling, and Discovering
- At 9 months: Exploring the surroundings while crawling
- At 12 months: First birthday and cake smash
- How many baby photo shoots make sense, and when?
- What time of day and what time of year are best?
- Frequently Asked Questions About the Timing of Our Baby Photo Shoots
- Are you interested in a baby photo shoot?
- You can find more tips on my blog
No, there’s no one “perfect” time. The best time depends on which developmental milestone you want to capture and how much variety you’re looking for. Basically, every phase of the first year is worth capturing.
Three periods, however, stand out because they reveal so much: the first few weeks with the sleepy newborn, the period around 6 months when the baby starts sitting up on their own, and the first birthday with those first steps. In more than a thousand photo shoots, I’ve seen that there’s no right or wrong way to do this. Every age tells its own story. To give you some guidance for your baby photo shoot, I’ll now walk you through the phases one by one.
Those cozy newborn poses, where the baby is fast asleep and curled up tightly, work best during the first 1 to 2 weeks. After about 4 weeks, this window of opportunity is over: Your baby is more alert, stretches out more, and can no longer be posed in the same way.
A photo shoot is still worth it—it just takes on a different feel, with alert expressions instead of sleeping poses. These poses are best left to a professional anyway, so leave them to an experienced photographer and don’t try them yourself. If you just missed the classic newborn photoshoot, I’ll show you what’s still possible in the post “Missed Your Newborn Photoshoot?” And if you’re still within the newborn window, you’ll find the right time in “When Is the Best Time for a Newborn Photoshoot?” The next natural phase begins around 3 months.
At around 3 months old, your baby is increasingly able to hold up their head on their own, seeks eye contact, and smiles at you. These are ideal conditions for intimate, lively portraits that already capture glimpses of your little one’s personality.
During this phase, I take a lot of photos at eye level: the baby on a soft blanket, with me right up close. Often, the most beautiful smiles come out when the baby is playing with you. I’ve put together a list of poses that work especially well at this age in my post “Baby Photo Shoot Poses for Every Age.”
The period between 6 and 8 months is one of the most rewarding for baby photography. Many babies can sit up on their own by then, but aren’t crawling away yet: they stay where you put them, look around intently, and laugh a lot. That’s exactly why this window is considered one of the three best times during the first year.
Those chubby cheeks and curious gaze create photos that will instantly transport you back to that time later on. For ideas and poses that ensure your baby stays comfortable, check out “Baby Photo Shoot Poses for Every Age.”
Around 9 to 10 months, things start to get lively: Your baby is crawling, pulling themselves up to stand, and eager to explore everything. From a photography perspective, this means keeping up with the action instead of staging poses.
I work a lot with movement and give your baby space to express themselves just as they are. These photos feel lively and authentic because nothing is staged. A little patience and a few short breaks are part of the process—that’s when the most beautiful moments happen naturally. You can also find photo ideas for the crawling stage in the baby photo shoot poses section.
Around their first birthday, your baby is taking their first steps and is proud of every new skill they learn. It’s a milestone that calls for a photo shoot of their own.
A “cake smash” is very popular for this occasion: Your child gets to admire a small cake, reach in, and take a bite, while I capture the joy and the chaos. If you’d like to capture your child’s first birthday, you’ll find the details on my page about birthday photo shoots.
There’s no set rule for how often you should have your baby photographed. Many families opt for a single photo session during their favorite stage. Those who want to document their baby’s development more comprehensively during the first year typically schedule 2 to 3 sessions spread out over the year.
For reference:
- 1 Photo Shoot: the phase that’s closest to your hearts, often around 6 months or on the 1st birthday.
- 2 photo sessions: one with the newborn during the first few weeks and a second session at 6, 9, or 12 months.
- 3 photo shoots: the first few weeks, around 6 months, and the 1st birthday—to capture the entire first year.
For a baby photo shoot, the time of day matters more than the season. The best results come with soft, natural daylight, often in the late morning: That’s when the light is pleasant, and many babies are calm and receptive after their first nap.
The season isn’t that important because we take photos indoors, regardless of the weather. Outdoors, spring and summer offer soft light and delicate shades of green; in winter, we simply move the shoot indoors. More important than the calendar is choosing a time when your baby is well-fed, well-rested, and relaxed.
