Your Baby’s First Year in Photos: When to Book Each Milestone
Briana + Blake just kicked off their Year of Life Collection, and what a beautiful (and chilly!) way to begin. As a Louisville newborn photographer, getting to document families from pregnancy through baby’s first year is one of my greatest joys, and this session was the perfect reminder why.
We met for their maternity session at Beckley Creek Park, right in the middle of a snowy Kentucky winter. And when I say cold… I mean COLD. These two were absolute troopers, trekking through snow and freezing temps with nothing but smiles, laughter, and so much love for the little boy they’ll be welcoming in just a few short months.
Despite the weather, Briana and Blake shared such genuine, effortless laughter. Those quiet in-between moments, the way they looked at each other, the excitement mixed with nerves, are exactly what make maternity sessions so meaningful. I already know they’re going to be the most incredible partners in parenthood, and I cannot wait to meet their baby boy during their in-home newborn session here in Louisville.
What Is the Year of Life Collection?
The Year of Life Collection is designed for families who want to beautifully document their baby’s first year without the stress of booking sessions individually.
When you book the Year of Life Collection, you receive:
- Access to up to 3 photography sessions within an 18-month period
- A reduced rate compared to booking sessions separately
- First dibs on my busy calendar (huge for newborn sessions!)
- 25 complimentary birth announcements
- Print credit to use toward:
- Professional prints
- Frames
- Albums
- Linen keepsake boxes
- And more
One of my favorite perks? Access to exclusive petite sessions offered only to Year of Life families. These are perfect for:
- Additional milestone photos
- Grandparents visiting from out of town
- Baptisms or christenings
- New family pets
- Holiday card photos
Popular Session Combinations for the Year of Life Collection
Many families choose a mix of sessions to capture their baby’s biggest milestones, including:
Maternity Photography Sessions
Maternity photos are best taken between 30–34 weeks. By this time, you’ve developed a beautiful baby bump and are usually still comfortable enough to move around and enjoy the session.
Newborn Portraits
As a Louisville newborn photographer, I always recommend scheduling newborn photos within the first 14 days after birth. This is when babies are:
- Sleepiest
- Most flexible
- Less likely to have baby acne
These early days are fleeting, and in-home newborn sessions allow you to capture them in a relaxed, meaningful way.
Milestone & Sitter Sessions
A session around 6–9 months is the perfect “sitter” milestone. Babies can usually sit up, are full of personality, and aren’t quite crawling or walking yet. Making this stage especially fun to photograph. Babies love laughing with mom and dad, and the expressions at this age are priceless.
One-Year Portraits
At one year, some families opt for:
- Cake smash sessions (always a blast, prepare for the mess!)
- Simple setups with balloons or banners
- Lifestyle family portraits
There’s no right or wrong, just what feels most you.
A Baby Book You’ll Treasure Forever
One of my absolute favorite parts of the Year of Life Collection is using your included print credit to create a custom album at the end of the year. It becomes a tangible baby book, telling the story from pregnancy to first birthday, that you’ll flip through for decades to come.
Booking Maternity & Newborn Photos in Louisville
If you’re expecting and looking for a Louisville newborn photographer, I recommend reaching out during your second trimester to secure your dates. My calendar fills quickly, especially for newborn sessions, and early booking ensures you’ll have priority access.
Briana + Blake’s snowy maternity session was just the beginning, and I’m counting down the days until I get to photograph the next chapter of their story.
If you’re dreaming of documenting your baby’s first year in a meaningful, stress-free way, I’d love to chat about the Year of Life Collection 🤍 Click here to inquire and get the conversation started!
You may also find these previous blog posts helpful as you prepare for your newborn session:
