Milestone Sessions are incredibly easy limited-edition photo sessions just for babies and children who are three months and older. But even with an easy session experience, putting a little bit of time in preparation goes a long way.

Invest in some good white onesies

You need to have at least two white onesies on hand (have your baby wear one and bring the other one with you, just in case). You can do long-sleeve, short-sleeve, or sleeveless, based on your preference (they all look cute!). And make sure there are no words or huge logos on the outfit to avoid distracting from your baby’s face in the portrait.

And plain white diapers

Diapers nowadays come in all sorts of fun colors. The problem is, we want simple white diapers for the best look in portraits (since a white onesie will show a colorful diaper). A great option is “Eco by Naty” - they’re natural vegan diapers, but still white in color with a very light graphic pattern, not brown. Be sure to order at least a week beforehand (Amazon has them for easy delivery) to determine the right size/fit.

Select any other cute outfits you’d like to be photographed

Once we have the white onesie covered (for a signature portrait look), we can include any other outfits you like! Bring plenty of options if you’re unsure of what will photograph well (we will have consultation on the phone to go over this exact topic) and we can select the best outfits right in the Studio when you arrive.

Iron or steam for a wrinkle-free look

Avoid shoving everything into the diaper bag, instead iron or steam all the outfits you’re thinking of bringing to the session. Use child-sized hangers to store the clothing and hang them in the car, or lay them flat. Once in the Studio, you can put them up on the clothing rack for safekeeping and selection.

Moisturize skin and lips

Start at least a few days before the session and apply moisturizing cream to your baby’s face and body in the evening and morning (this is especially important during the dry winter). My recommendation is, if you’re looking for a good hydrating cream, purchase from California Baby, just make sure to test it out first to avoid any potential allergic reactions.

Set aside special accessories (blanket, toy, books)

One of the best things about these Milestone Sessions is the fact that you’re really focusing on a specific time in your baby’s life. And what really enriches that experience is including specific items that are special to your child. A hand-knit baby blanket, favorite book, and a lovie/stuffed animal make some of the best accessories for the session. They will keep your baby happy, occupied, and really illustrate the special memories of this time in your baby’s life. And it’s important to bring items that are special to your child, not just pretty or attractive in photos.

A good night’s sleep and a good nap

Making sure the day before your session doesn’t involve a late night for your child is essential to be in a good mood on the day of. If your baby still takes a morning nap, make sure to schedule their Milestone Session right after, and don’t count on the car ride for nap time, because it often doesn’t happen as expected. If, for any reason, your baby doesn’t take a nap and we have a ticking time-bomb on our hands, let me know when you arrive for the session so I can adjust timing as necessary.

Pack the diaper bag (diapers, snacks, milk)

Make sure you pack an extra set of diapers, wipes, snacks, hair brush, and milk or formula in your diaper bag. Having this bag ready to go the night before guarantees that you can make it out the door on time without rushing or stressing. It’s so easy to forget a very important item when you’re trying to pack everything at the last minute, which is why it’s important to take the time for this beforehand.

Remove socks before the session

If you want those adorable bare-footed photos, make sure to remove socks at least 30 minutes before your baby’s session - otherwise they will leave impression marks on your baby’s skin. It’s these little details that often make the biggest difference.

While it might sound like there’s a lot to consider when preparing for your baby’s Milestone Session, it’s actually just the reality of getting out of the house with a baby. Any outing is going to require some prep work and I’m here every step of the way to make sure our time together goes smoothly.

There will never be a better time to photograph your baby than RIGHT NOW, because she’s growing every single day. We never get this time back once it passes, and having these portraits will mean the world to you, and to her, in the end. So make it happen! And follow the tips above to help things run smoothly for everyone involved.