From Curled Up to Standing Tall: Unique Baby Portrait Poses at Every Milestone

The first year of your baby’s life is filled with breathtaking transformations. From the sleepy newborn days to the confident toddler beginning to stand, each stage is uniquely special. One of the best ways to preserve these fleeting moments is through professional baby portrait photography. The key to great baby portraits? Posing! I’ve had several clients comment during sessions that they felt like they were witnessing ‘baby sculpting!’ The right pose can showcase your baby’s milestones, highlight their adorable features, and tell the story of their growth. And some of the best poses are unique to the specific baby milestone.

When it comes to photographing babies, especially newborns, safety is absolutely essential. Professional photographers are trained in safe posing techniques and know how to handle your little one with care and confidence. Many popular poses you see online are created with special supports or through editing. Attempting them without the proper knowledge can be dangerous. By hiring a professional, you’re not just investing in beautiful images, you’re also ensuring your baby is safe, comfortable, and well cared for throughout the entire session.

In this post, we’ll walk through the best baby portrait poses for each milestone, from those cozy newborn moments to the first steps at one year old. Ready to capture those precious memories? Let’s dive in! Check out our Pinterest board for even more!

Baby Milestone Photography Series

This post is part of our ongoing Baby Milestone Photography series, where we explore different ways to capture your little one’s precious first-year moments. Be sure to check out the rest of the series: Milestone Poses Through the First Year Master Post, Parent & Baby Milestone Photos, Milestone Photos with Props, and Baby Milestone Headshots. Each post offers tips, inspiration, and ideas to help you create timeless memories.

1. Newborn Stage: Tush in the Air – The Classic Curled Pose

The newborn phase is all about those squishy, curled-up moments that make us swoon. Babies at this age tend to curl up naturally, as if they’re still in the womb. This pose, often called the “tush in the air” pose, is a timeless way to capture your baby’s newness and innocence.

Why it’s special: At this stage, your baby is still adjusting to the world, and their body naturally takes on this adorable, fetal-like position. It’s the perfect pose to showcase their tiny, delicate features—like those little hands, soft skin, and peaceful expression.

Photographer’s Secret: Sleepy babies = dreamy poses. The magic happens when newborns are in that deep sleep. My biggest tip for a sleep baby is a full belly.

2. 3-4 Months: Tummy Time – Lifting Their Head with Pride

Around the 3-4 month mark, babies start developing their neck and back muscles, making tummy time one of the key milestones. This is the moment when babies begin to lift their heads and start gaining control over their upper bodies.

Why it’s special: Tummy time is a milestone that signifies strength and growth, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to capture those proud, determined expressions. At this age, your baby is learning how to engage with the world around them, and their curious eyes and tiny muscles make for amazing portraits.

Photographer’s Secret: Don’t worry if baby doesn’t love tummy time. I know how to work fast, distract with silly sounds, and pivot to back or side lying poses if needed.

3. 6-9 Months: Sitting or Grabbing Toes – Exploring the World

Between 6 and 9 months, babies reach several key milestones: sitting up on their own and developing better hand-eye coordination. At this age, your baby is starting to explore the world around them with more awareness and curiosity. One of the cutest poses is when your baby sits upright and grabs their toes, showing off their flexibility and joyful energy.

Why it’s special: These two poses highlight your baby’s growing independence and coordination. Sitting up on their own is a milestone showcasing growing strength, independence, and a whole new way for your baby to explore the world around them. Grabbing their toes is often a favorite activity at this stage, and it’s so cute to capture those giggles and excited movements. Both poses are also great ways to show off your baby’s chubby little legs and their ever expanding personality.

Their confidence shines here. Sitting up on their own gives babies a sense of independence, and it shows in their expressions. These sessions are full of eye contact, wide grins, and sweet little poses. Grabbing toes is not only a developmental milestone, it’s adorable, too!

Photographer’s Secret: I try to wait until the baby is fully sitting on their own, but sometimes they’re not quite there yet. In those cases, we have spotters with their arms just an inch away for safety, which I’m able to edit out later!

4. 12 Months: Standing Tall – The Milestone of Independence

The one-year mark is a huge milestone! By now, your baby may be standing with support or even taking their first steps. This is a time of growth, confidence, and the beginning of toddlerhood. Capturing your baby standing tall is the perfect way to mark this incredible milestone.

Why it’s special: Standing signifies a newfound sense of independence and strength. It’s a moment when your baby begins to physically assert themselves in the world, and it’s one of the most memorable milestones for parents to capture. Their bright smiles and proud posture make for an unforgettable portrait. It also allows for greater variety in your gallery, opening up more option.

Photographer’s Secret: If your baby isn’t quite standing on their own yet, leaning on props, cruising along furniture, or holding a parent’s hand are wonderful ways to capture this milestone while ensuring they stay supported and safe. I actually really love including a parents hand. It’s more than just a detail, it’s a beautiful reminder of the unwavering presence and care that will always be there as your baby grows.

BONUS: First Birthday Cake Smash Photos!

Cake smash photos are a fun and playful way to celebrate your baby’s big first birthday milestone. It’s a chance to capture their curiosity, joy, and maybe even a little mess—all part of the charm! Every baby reacts differently, from tentative pokes to full on frosting face plants, making each session unique and full of personality. Plus, it’s a sweet (and often hilarious) memory you’ll love looking back on for years to come.

Photographer’s Secret: Not all babies are instant cake lovers and that’s totally okay! I encourage my clients to let their little ones try cake a few times before the big smash day, so when the time comes, it feels like a fun and familiar treat.

Why Baby Portraits at Every Milestone Matter

Each milestone is a significant part of your baby’s journey, and these photos will serve as timeless reminders of how far they’ve come. From the peacefulness of newborn life to the active, independent spirit of a one-year-old, capturing these stages through poses creates a beautiful keepsake of your baby’s growth.

Here’s why baby portraits at every milestone are so important:

• A Keepsake for You: You’ll cherish these photos as memories for years to come. Watching your child grow is a bittersweet journey, and these portraits help you relive those special moments.
• A Gift for Family: Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends will love receiving portraits that celebrate your baby’s milestones. These photos make for perfect gifts or additions to family albums.
• A Story of Growth: Baby milestones are about more than just the photos themselves—they tell the story of your baby’s transformation over the course of a year. Every pose speaks volumes about their personality and development.

Final Thoughts

From the adorable “tush in the air” pose of a newborn to the proud “standing tall” moment at one year old, every milestone is worth capturing. Baby portrait photography allows you to freeze these fleeting moments in time, preserving them for years to come. Whether your baby is curled up in a cozy pose, lifting their head in tummy time, grabbing their toes in giggles, or standing with confidence, each photo is a beautiful reminder of how much they’ve grown. So, don’t miss out, book your milestone portrait session and let the magic of babyhood unfold before your eyes!

At Crabapple Photography, based in Andover, MA, we specialize in capturing the precious milestones of your baby’s first year with timeless, detail-focused portraits. Whether you’re celebrating a first smile, sitting milestone, or birthday, our baby headshot sessions are designed to preserve every sweet expression. Ready to document your little one’s journey? Contact Kate today to schedule your milestone session and create lasting memories you’ll cherish forever.