Baby Milestone Sessions

I love seasons. I love frigid cold temperatures, crunchy red and orange Autumn leaves and the cherry blossoms blooming in the Spring. I love seasons so much, that I decided to leave my Southern California roots behind at 18 years old in exchange for a life of seasons in the Northeast. One of my favorite parts of winter, in regards to my portrait studio, is that I get to dedicate three months of the years to photographing at-home baby and family portrait sessions. At-home sessions are my absolute favorite! I love using the natural-lit setting of home to create timeless images that will be treasured and remember forever. I shoot in a way that is a mix of posed and unposed, getting those candid lifestyle at-home shots as well as more traditional portraits that you’ll be glad to have years from now.

For my newborn, family and baby “Milestone” sessions, you are always photographed comfortably and naturally in your own home. I love to incorporate personal items, like hand knit hats and blankets, wooden toys, or a family heirloom. Having a lovey, or special blankie or stuffed animal that means the world to your little one can really enhance the portrait, just like this sweet 10 month old I recently photographed, whose eyes lit up with instant joy the moment we brought out his lovey.

I always recommend to my families, that the simpler the toys, props, etc, the more timeless and tasteful the images will be. Knit blankets that are white or cream-colored look great on camera. Wooden toys, as opposed to colorful plastic toys can give an image a more classic, traditionally modern look.

10 Months

My absolute favorite age to photograph babies! 10 months is just too much fun. Little L. is a naturally joyful baby, and after photographing him and his family twice in France over the last year, I was able to get so many more smiles at 10 months. 10-month sessions are easy, as baby is now sitting up and crawling and their expressions are natural and responsive.

Favorite At-Home Session Location Spots

Baby’s Nursery

There is no place more important to document your babies first year of life than in the nursery! I love to photograph and incorporate the crib, rocking chair, and your little one’s book collection and find that my families love those spots the most as well.

Bedroom

If you’d love to have those classic naked baby and diaper poses while he/she is still a baby, the master bedroom is the ideal place to photograph these in. Extra points if you have a cream or white duvet or white blanket on the bed, giving more light, reflection and timelessness to the images. It’s here where we will be able to get those little feet/hand shots as well as lifestyle portraits of the family all together. White sheer curtains allow plenty of light to enter the room, but if you have dark, heavier curtains, we can work around it, too!

Tips for Your At-Home Baby Milestone Session:

• Make sure your little one(s) are fed and well-rested! It’s always best to have them just waking up from their nap as I walk in, giving me time to scope out the best lighting in the house. 
• If you have a light-colored, white/cream/grey blanket, sheet or duvet cover for your bed, put that on and we’ll be able to get those classic baby shots on your bed. Try to avoid busy patterns or bright colors.
• Have a snack, lovey, or blankie on hand for your little one!

“Baby’s First Year” Collection

The HW Studio offers a Baby’s First Year collection, allowing families to book a full year’s worth of sessions as your baby grows. Our collection includes a newborn session, 6-month session, 10-month session, and one-year session. We provide our custom a-la carte products for this unique collection, allowing our families to choose from storybook albums, artisan wall art and premium canvas wraps. To learn more about these special sessions, reach out to us at the studio or via email at helenawoodsphotography@gmail.com.