Your baby’s first year is filled with incredible milestones, each one worth celebrating forever. Capturing these moments through milestone photos is a wonderful way to preserve the joy, growth, and unique personality of your little one.
From choosing the perfect setting to creating a relaxed and fun experience, milestone photography lets you hold onto these fleeting memories.
As a family photographer in Nottinghamshire, I am going to talk about celebrating the first year and how to make your baby’s milestone photos extra special!





How to Make Your Baby's Milestone Photos Extra Special
- Natural and Neutral Photo Styles
- Capturing Real Moments
- Getting the Family Involved and Having a Blast
- Getting Ready for the Photo Session
- Keeping Memories Safe
Natural and Neutral Photo Styles
Natural and neutral styles are all the rage with families, and it’s easy to see why.
They give you timeless images that you'll treasure forever. No loud colours stealing the spotlight, just your baby and your family in their natural glory. For this look, stick with soft tones for outfits and keep props to a minimum.
Whites, creams, beige's, soft pinks and blues work wonders. This style is all about simplicity but still looks stunning, letting those little smiles and giggles be the stars during your baby’s milestone photos.
Come into my warm cosy home studio with a set up tailored to you, where we can keep it relaxed and let your baby do their thing. Capture them playing with their favourite toy, getting excited about bubbles, or just being curious about their surroundings. The idea is to keep everything low-key so their personality shines through. No need for fancy backdrops or props—just simple "one" themed letters, a mini wooden cake or a simple wooden toy will do. All my birthday sessions do come with the option to include some balloons in the background with a little subtle banner but these are all tailored to you.
If you'd like some family photos included, then 100% we can. For the family photos, go for outfits that blend well together but aren’t too matchy-matchy. Think neutral shades and soft fabrics. The goal is to make everyone look cohesive but still natural.
And don’t stress about getting the perfect shot. Sometimes the best photos are the ones where everyone’s just having a good time, not necessarily looking at the camera, but these make for the best ones as they are nature. So relax, have fun, and let the magic happen!
Capturing Real Moments
The magic of baby milestone photos is all about catching those real, unplanned moments that make your baby's personality shine through.
Forget stiff poses and forced smiles—let your little one be their cheeky, curious self. Whether they're giggling at the funny faces your pulling or fascinated by a toy, these candid moments are what make the photos special.
Keeping the atmosphere relaxed is key. Play their favourite tunes, make funny faces, or just let them explore their surroundings. You’ll find that these little moments turn into the most cherished images. And don't worry if they get a bit messy or things don’t go as planned—that's all part of the fun! Those tiny, unexpected details make the photos more authentic and memorable.
Props can be handy too, but we keep them simple and natural. A little wooden cake or even a real one, maybe minimal "one" themed props or even bubbles can add to the scene without taking the focus away from your little one. And remember, it’s the real giggles and curious looks that make these moments truly unforgettable!




Getting the Family Involved and Having a Blast
Getting the family involved in baby’s milestone photos is a game-changer!
It’s not just about your little one but the whole family vibe. Siblings can hold or play with the baby, which usually leads to some super cute and genuine smiles.
Try to make the shoot a fun day out for everyone. Think of it as a family hangout with the added bonus of capturing those precious moments. Play some music, have some laughs, and just enjoy being together. The more relaxed and happy everyone is, the better the photos will turn out. It's all about those real, unplanned moments that show off your family’s true personality.
Getting Ready for the Photo Session
A bit of prep goes a long way in making sure baby’s milestone photos are smooth sailing.
Dress the baby in comfy clothes that they can move around in. I have a whole section of outfit planning in my digital welcome guide, plus I have several outfits as part of my client wardrobe we can use on the day. It’s also a good idea for the rest of the family to wear colours that complement each other without clashing. Pack essentials like nappies, wipes, and snacks, to keep your little one happy throughout.
Think about any props or toys that might make your baby smile. A favourite toy can be a lifesaver if they get a bit fussy.
A fed and happy baby makes for the best photos!
For the rest of the family, stick to neutral shades and soft fabrics that blend well together. It helps keep the focus on the baby and ensures a cohesive look in the photos. Avoid big logos or busy patterns as they can be distracting.
And most importantly, keep it fun! The more relaxed everyone is, the better the photos will turn out. Laugh, play, and enjoy the time together. The best moments often happen when you’re just being yourselves, so go with the flow and let the magic happen.
Keeping Memories Safe
Once you've got baby’s milestone photos, it's time to think about how to keep them safe and show them off!
Creating a photo album is a lovely way to look back on all those special moments. I work with a fantastic professional prints who offer the most amazing photo albums, which is a brilliant keepsake. You can also get them framed and put up around the house—perfect for adding a personal touch to your space. I always love it when clients send me images of their photos proudly displayed around their house. Digital photo books are another great option, especially for sharing with friends and family who live far away.
If you're more into keepsakes, consider making a box with prints and little mementos from your baby's first year. It's a cute way to keep everything in one place and makes a great gift for when they're older. You could even create a slideshow or video montage to watch together on special occasions.
Don't forget to back up your digital photos! Use a cloud service or an external hard drive to ensure those precious images are safe from accidental deletes or tech mishaps. However you choose to store and display them, these photos are memories you'll treasure forever.
Enjoy celebrating this beautiful milestone with your little one and family!

Birthday Portraits
Your Birthday photoshoot can be completely tailored around you and your little one. If natural and neutral is your vibe, capturing a section of birthday portraits might be best for you.

Cake smash
Cake smashes are messy but also can be really fun. They can bring out your little ones fun side and seeing how they react to the cake can be amazing.

Bubble bath
Why not clean up after the cake smash and capture some adorable bubble bath images. Fab way to get of all the sticky cake but also cute to see them splashing and having fun in all the bubbles.
Ready to Book Your Birthday photoshoot in Nottinghamshire?
Now you know all about celebrating the first year and how to make your baby’s milestone photos extra special! From the perfect setting to the natural, candid shots that showcase your baby’s personality, milestone photos are a timeless way to preserve these memories.
Ready to make those memories last forever? Let’s book your family photography in Nottinghamshire at my cosy home studio and celebrate your little one’s first year together!