From Day One to Year One: The Importance of Parent & Baby Portraits at Every Milestone

The first year of your baby’s life is full of big changes, tiny details, and unforgettable moments. It’s a whirlwind of snuggles, sleepless nights, first smiles, belly laughs, and tiny hands reaching for yours. While it’s easy to focus solely on capturing baby’s growth (and rightfully so!), there’s something just as important that often gets overlooked: you. Parent & Baby photos during milestone sessions are so important for so many reasons.

Including parents in baby milestone portraits is incredibly special. It adds depth, love, and connection to the story we’re telling. However, I completely understand that not all parents feel up to being in front of the camera, and that’s okay. I’ll always honor your comfort while capturing the heart of your family’s story. And if you’re not ready to be fully in the frame, there are still meaningful ways to include you like featuring your hands for a subtle, loving touch.

This post is part of our Baby Milestone Photography series, created to guide and inspire you as you document your baby’s incredible first year. Be sure to check out the rest of the series: Milestone Poses Through the First Year Master Post, Milestone Photos with Props, Baby Milestone Headshots, and Unique Photos for Each Milestone. Each post is full of creative ideas to help you capture these once-in-a-lifetime moments with heart and style.

But I do encourage it, so let’s take a look at why parent and baby portraits are so meaningful during each major milestone: newborn, 3–4 months, 6–9 months, and one year. To see more photos, check out my Pinterest boards, too.

Newborn: Day One Snuggles and the Beginning of Everything

In those early days, your baby is teeny tiny, often curled up and sleeping sweetly. You’re adjusting to a brand new world as a parent. Often times you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and filled with love you didn’t know existed. That raw, beautiful bond is worth capturing.

Why it matters:

• These moments are fleeting, your baby will never be this small again.
• The way they curl up on your chest, the way you cradle them, the emotion in your eyes, all of it tells the story of their arrival and your transformation into a parent.
• Years from now, they’ll see how loved and held they were from the very beginning.

Pose ideas:

• Skin-to-skin contact
• Baby nestled in mom or dad’s arms
• Parent gazing down or kissing baby’s head

Photographer’s Secret: The baby’s comfort is key to getting the best photos. I keep things warm and cozy, sometimes using space heaters or blankets, so your little one stays snug and happy throughout the session.

3–4 Months: First Smiles and the Start of Connection

At this age, your baby is starting to recognize your face, respond to your voice, and flash those heart-melting smiles. The connection between you is growing stronger, and it shows in every glance and giggle.

Why it matters:

• You’re not just caring for your baby now, you’re interacting, playing, bonding.
• These portraits show your baby looking at you with love and trust, creating powerful images that reflect your growing relationship.
• It’s also a beautiful time to show off baby’s new skills like tummy time or holding up their head, while you’re right beside them.

Pose ideas:

• Giving baby sweet cuddles and kisses
• Baby peeking over parent’s shoulder at the camera
• Holding baby upright to show those expressive faces

Photographer’s Secret: Babies at 3-4 months are full of surprises! I’m always ready with funny sounds or gentle interactions to get a giggle or a wide-eyed smile. These spontaneous moments often make for the most memorable shots.

6–9 Months: Sitting, Giggles, and Playful Moments

This is the age of big milestones: sitting up, grabbing toes, belly laughs, and showing off personality. Your baby is more engaged and animated than ever and your bond has only deepened.

Why it matters:

• Including parents in this stage helps show baby’s sense of security and joy in your presence.
• You’ll get playful, candid moments of laughter, tickles, and snuggles—real-life memories that go beyond a posed photo.
• Babies at this stage love interaction, and who better to make them smile than you?

Pose ideas:

• Cuddling baby to your chest
• Nose-to-nose giggles
• Holding baby up in the air (safely!) for joyful reactions

Photographer’s Secret: Babies at this age can be a bit fussy or distracted, but I’ve learned the signs! I know when to give them a break and when to keep going to get those perfect smiles or curious expressions.

One Year: Standing Tall and Full of Personality

Your baby is officially a toddler! Whether they’re standing with support, cruising, or walking, this is a huge milestone. They’ve come so far, and so have you.

Why it matters:

• This isn’t just your baby’s first birthday, it’s your first parenting anniversary.
• You’ve been their biggest support, their safe space, their comfort, and their joy for an entire year. These portraits celebrate that relationship and everything you’ve accomplished together.
• It’s also a wonderful opportunity to capture those final “baby” moments before toddlerhood truly begins.

Pose ideas:

• Holding hands while baby stands
• Swinging them through the air, or giving a fun ride on your shoulders
• A quiet hug or kiss as baby rests on your shoulder

Photographer’s Secret: By the time they turn one, many babies have entered their “stranger danger” phase (though not all do)! I always follow the baby’s lead, never pushing. If they’re feeling unsure, I ease into the session gently, often starting with some relaxed play on the floor with blocks or trucks to help them warm up.

Why Parent & Baby Portraits Are So Important

✨ You’re part of the story.
So often, parents (especially moms) end up behind the camera. But these moments aren’t just about baby growing up, they’re about you growing together. Being in the photos is a way of saying: I was there. I loved you through every moment.

✨ They become heirlooms.
One day, your child will look back on these images and see how deeply they were loved from day one. These portraits become a part of their history, and yours.

✨ You’ll never regret being in the frame.
Even on the days you feel tired, unpolished, or camera-shy, you’ll never look back and wish you’d skipped the photo. You’ll only wish you had more.

Final Thoughts

From day one to year one, baby milestone portraits are beautiful, meaningful snapshots of a year full of love and change. But when parents step into the frame, those portraits become so much more. The portraits become a celebration of connection, growth, and the journey you’re walking together.

So don’t just document your baby’s milestones, document the bond you share with them at every step of the way. You’ll be so glad you did. And don’t stop there. Get fantastic keepsakes in the form of prints and products. Some of my favorites can be seen down below:

Ready to schedule your baby’s next milestone session? Let’s make sure you’re in the frame because these moments are yours too. 💛

If you’re looking to beautifully capture your baby’s milestones in a relaxed and professional setting, Crabapple Photography in Andover, MA, is the perfect choice. With years of experience and a warm, welcoming studio environment, we specialize in creating timeless portraits that celebrate every stage of your baby’s first year. From thoughtful props to expert posing, every detail is carefully planned to showcase your little one’s personality. Ready to book your milestone session? Contact Kate today and let us help you preserve these fleeting moments forever.