The Importance of Capturing Milestones: From Newborn to One Year
- Zee Gunchev
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
When I became a mom, everyone told me how quickly the first year would fly by—but nothing prepared me for just how true that would be. One moment I was cradling a sleepy newborn in my arms, and the next I was cheering as he took his first wobbly steps across our living room floor. The days can feel long, but the months? They vanish in the blink of an eye.
That’s why I believe so deeply in the power of capturing milestones. As an Essex newborn photographer, I’ve had the honor of documenting countless babies from their first sleepy days to their joyful cake smashes. And every time, I’m reminded just how important these fleeting moments are.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
The Newborn Stage: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Moment
Those first few weeks are a swirl of sleepy cuddles, tiny toes, and learning what it means to be a parent. It’s raw, beautiful, and completely unique to your baby. This stage passes before you know it, which is why I encourage families to schedule their newborn sessions within the first two weeks.
There is something incredibly emotional about preserving those early days. The way your baby curls into your chest, their soft little lips, the milk-drunk expressions—all of it deserves to be remembered, not just in your heart, but in photographs you can hold in your hands and pass down one day.
Three Months: A Time of Personality and Connection
By three months, your baby is beginning to show more of their personality. They’re starting to smile with intention, follow your voice, and light up when they see your face. These are the moments where the connection between you and your little one begins to deepen, and they’re just as worthy of remembering as those newborn snuggles.
I often tell my clients that this is a great age to capture those first giggles, sweet eye contact, and growing curiosity. It’s a beautiful in-between time—still small, but starting to grow and change rapidly.
Six Months: Sitting Up and So Much Joy
Around the six-month mark, your little one might be sitting up independently, exploring the world from a brand-new perspective. This stage might just be my favorite. They are so happy, full of curiosity, and those adorable rolls and chubby cheeks are at their peak. Their baby giggles light up the room, and their expressions are the sweetest mix of wonder and delight. They're not quite on the move yet, but they’ve often mastered sitting in that cute little tripod stance, balancing with their hands in front of them—it’s such a darling sight.
Personally, I treasure the photos from this stage with my own little ones—the belly laughs, the gummy smiles, and how their whole face lit up when they saw me. If your little one isn’t quite sitting up on their own at six months, many parents choose to wait until the seventh or even eighth month when their baby has fully mastered sitting. It gives us the perfect window to capture those joyful, grounded moments before they become more mobile.
Nine Months: Crawling, Curiosity, and Sweet Connection
At nine months, many babies are on the move! Crawling, scooting, pulling up on furniture—this stage is filled with energy and discovery. It’s also a great time to capture your baby’s interactions with their surroundings and with you. Their awareness has grown, and their curiosity is endless.
Nine-month milestone sessions are always full of movement, laughter, and those sweet in-between cuddles. It’s the last stage before the big first birthday, and it deserves to be remembered in its own right.
One Year: A Celebration of Growth
The first birthday is more than just a milestone—it’s a celebration of your baby’s journey and your journey as a parent. It’s a time to look back on everything you’ve both been through and to capture the joy, the resilience, and the love that brought you here.
Cake smashes are such a fun and playful way to mark this occasion. Most parents plan this session about a month before their baby actually turns the big ONE, giving them plenty of time to share the photos with friends and family or even use them in party invitations or decor. One of my favorite parts of these sessions is seeing parents—especially moms—able to relax and simply enjoy the moment. You get to be in the photos, smiling and celebrating, while I take care of capturing all those sweet details, from frosting-covered fingers to joyful giggles.
That said, while cake smashes are a blast, they aren’t for everyone—and that is totally okay! Some families choose to skip the cake, whether due to allergies, dietary choices, or just not feeling ready for all that sugar. A beautiful way to honor this milestone instead is by updating your family portraits. Your baby is changing so quickly, and capturing this stage with the people who love them most is just as meaningful.
What to Expect at a Milestone Session
Each milestone session is relaxed and baby-led. Whether we’re in the studio or in your home, I focus on capturing your little one just as they are in that season—whether it’s smiles and claps or crawling and cuddles.
I provide a curated wardrobe of soft, neutral outfits for your baby, so you don’t have to worry about planning what they’ll wear. We keep the setting simple to let their personality shine. These sessions usually last 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your baby’s mood and needs.
I always encourage parents to jump in for photos, too—because one day, your little one will love seeing you in the pictures, holding them, smiling at them, and simply being present.
Capturing the First Year, One Chapter at a Time
Your baby will only be this little once. The giggles, the rolls, the soft little curls—they all change faster than you think. And while you can’t freeze time, you can preserve the moments that matter most.
As a mom and Essex newborn photographer, I know how precious these memories are. That’s why I offer milestone collections that make it easy to capture every chapter of your baby’s first year. Whether you choose a full year package or schedule a few favorite stages, I’m here to help you celebrate and remember the moments that mean the most.
Let’s create something beautiful together—something you’ll hold onto long after the first steps have been taken and the baby curls have grown out. Reach out today, and let’s plan your baby’s milestone story.
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Zee Gunchev is an Essex family and newborn photographer with years of experience in the lifestyle photography area. She focuses on capturing genuine moments in soft, dreamy tones and natural light to be savoured for years to come. Her timeless images and effortless style are chosen by many Essex families to document important milestones and life stages.
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