If you’re expecting your first baby, there’s a good chance your to-do list is already packed to the brim. Somewhere between picking out a stroller and figuring out how to swaddle, you might be thinking: “I’d love some beautiful photos, but I’ll figure that out later.”
Totally understandable. But here’s the thing I hear from nearly every single parent who joins my First Year Collective: “I am so, so glad I did this before the baby came.” Not just for the photos (though yes, they’ll make you cry in the best way), but because honestly? Planning anything during that first year is an uphill battle.
That’s exactly why I created a baby photography plan that takes the planning off your plate—so you never have to scramble to book or keep track of what’s next.
Why it matters to plan ahead — especially for first-time moms
Let’s be real. You don’t know what you don’t know until you’re deep in it.
When you bring your baby home, you step into a time-warp. Suddenly it’s been 6 months and they’re sitting up and smiling with the squishiest cheeks you’ve ever seen and you think, “Oh, I wish I had captured more of that newborn time!” Then their first birthday sneaks up, and all of a sudden their baby days are coming to an end.
Here’s what I know from photographing so many new families over the years in Los Angeles and Pasadena: The first year flies by and it’s NOT an exaggeration.
That’s why I designed The First Year Collective — to give new parents a relaxed, thoughtful way to capture all the most important milestones without having to start from scratch each time.
It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing less — and still walking away with images you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
What’s Included in a First Year Baby Photography Plan?
No props. No pressure. Just the most meaningful moments, captured naturally and beautifully.
Here’s how it works:
Maternity Session (optional, but a beautiful way to begin)
If you choose to start your Collective with a maternity session, we’ll plan something relaxed and meaningful that celebrates the anticipation and love before your baby arrives. It’s a lovely way to honor this season of waiting and growing.
Newborn Session (1-2 weeks after birth)
This is the heart of what I do. These quiet, emotional newborn sessions are where it all begins. Your baby is still so tiny, your world is still shifting, and everything feels incredibly tender. Trying to plan this session after your baby is born can be overwhelming (trust me on this), so booking it early means it’s already on the books and you don’t have to lift a finger.
- We’ll choose a day within the first two weeks after your due date
- I’ll guide you fully with prep, wardrobe, and timing
- These sessions take place in my studio or your home and focus on connection. No gimmicks. Just you and your baby, exactly as you are.
Sitter Session (6 to 8 months)
This one is sneakily becoming my favorite stage to photograph, and for good reason.
At this age, babies are sitting up on their own, not quite crawling yet, and are possibly the jolliest they’ll ever be. They’re curious, chubby, drooly, dimpled, and FULL of personality.
Parents sometimes overlook this stage, but it’s truly joyful to document:
- We get tons of smiles, giggles, and eye contact
- They’re usually content to stay where we set them (a rare window!)
- This stage is short and sweet — blink and it’s gone
One-Year Session (a celebration of everything)
By 12 months, you’re not just celebrating a birthday — you’re marking a whole year of growth, laughter, and probably a fair amount of exhaustion. You’ve done it. You’ve raised a baby for a whole year.
This final session can take place indoors our outside; it’s the perfect moment to get those final portraits of baby still truly being your baby, right before that toddler energy hits.
You only get one first year
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a soft spot for this season. Watching families go from the anticipation of maternity to the sleepy, emotional newborn phase… to seeing that tiny human sit and laugh and eventually wobble around with cake on their face? It’s magic.
But more than that, it’s a feeling. A fast-moving mix of love and learning and honest emotion that deserves to be documented without making you feel overwhelmed or behind.
When you join the First Year Collective with me, you’re saying, “I want to remember this. Even if I forgot to brush my hair. Even if I’m running on two hours of sleep.” And I take care of the rest. Really.
I’ll remind you when it’s time to schedule each session. I’ll block that time out on my calendar. I’ll tell you exactly what to wear (and yes, you can borrow from my wardrobe collection). All you have to do is show up and hold your baby.
The Best Part? A Beautiful, Done-For-You Album
At the end of your baby’s first year, you’ll receive something truly special: a custom-designed album featuring images from each of your sessions. From your maternity glow to sleepy newborn cuddles, belly laughs at six months, and the celebration of one — every milestone comes together in one beautifully cohesive keepsake.
You get to choose your favorite images, and I take care of the rest: the design, the layout, the delivery. No tech stress, no decision fatigue. Just a finished album you can hold in your hands and flip through any time you want to relive those fleeting moments.
Ready to let go of the stress of planning?
Joining my First Year Collective is kind of like hiring your future self a very thoughtful assistant. It simplifies your life now and gives you the kind of keepsakes that only grow more meaningful with time.
If you’re in the Los Angeles or Pasadena area and expecting your first baby, reach out here and we can chat through what the Collective looks like for your family.
You don’t have to plan every detail of your baby’s first year. But you’ll never regret having it captured. And when that album arrives? You might even feel like you had your you-know-what together all along.
