The first year of your baby’s life goes by oh-so-fast. One moment, you’re bringing them home from the hospital and before you know it, they’re taking their first wobbly steps across the living room floor. As a mom, I know how easy it is to get caught up in the day-to-day, but I also know how much I want to remember everything—their tiny fingers, the sleepy snuggles, and those first gummy smiles.

That’s exactly why I Baby’s First Year collection is a client favorite! It’s an easy and fun way to make sure you document all those big milestones while getting to savor it alongside your little one. I want you to have a way to remember and cherish every amazing milestone. It’s not just about taking photos, it’s about telling the story of your baby’s first year and preserving those memories in a beautiful heirloom book that you’ll treasure for years to come.

Of course, you may be wondering which milestones to document! Though there are many amazing and sweet milestones during your baby’s first year of life, here’s a simple timeline of the milestones that my clients love capturing.

Newborn (0-3 Weeks) – The Sleepy, Snuggly Stage

The newborn stage is fleeting—those tiny fingers wrapped around yours, the way they curl up into a perfect little bundle. I can’t tell you how many times I get feedback from parents that they are so grateful they scheduled a newborn session because they change so much so quickly.

A newborn session within the first three weeks of life captures all of that sweet newness. Whether you choose a cozy in-home session in Charlottesville or a relaxed studio setting, I want to help you remember those early days with your sweet baby. Of course, if you miss the first 3 week window, it’s not too late! There’s still so much to document and celebrate no matter how old your newborn is. (Plus, if you need more recovery time, I’ll absolutely stand by the decision to schedule once mom feels ready because you should savor the session too!)

Six Months – Sitting Up & Sweet Expressions!

By six months, your little one has changed so much! They’re likely sitting up, grabbing their toes, and interacting more with the world around them. The 6-8 month time range is on my favorites for a photo session because we get to capture your baby’s curiosity, joy, and those adorable chubby rolls. We can plan this session at a studio for classic portraits focusing on all their sweet features, we can plan for a session at home, or we can head outdoors depending on the time of year in Charlottesville!

One Year – The Big Celebration

Your baby’s first birthday is such a bittersweet milestone. They’ve grown so much, but so have you! It’s a year unlike any other and it’s so worth celebrating. Whether you want a classic portrait session, a cake smash photo session, or a sweet family session to mark the moment, this is the perfect way to reflect on an entire year of joy and growth.

Final Thoughts: A Year of Memories

Having a plan for capturing these three key milestones means you’ll have a beautifully cohesive collection of images that tell the story of your baby’s first year. Of course these milestones aren’t set in stone, they are just the most popular milestones with the widest range of change in your baby. Some families even opt for sessions every 3 months!

But here’s the best part: these photos aren’t just photos—they become heirlooms. And to truly celebrate these milestones, all of my baby’s first year collections include an Heirloom Book that we design together so you can enjoy these photos together as a family each and every day. (Because your photos shouldn’t grow up to just be jpegs in the cloud!)

If you’re looking for a newborn and family photographer in Charlottesville, VA, I’d love to help you document this season in a way that feels effortless and genuine.

Amy Nicole Photography (Amy Cherry) has been a photographer for over 15 years. Amy is a family & newborn lifestyle photographer serving Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia. She creates timeless, genuine and effortless photos for you and your family to enjoy for years to come. She offers on-location, at-home, studio and outdoor family photo sessions.