Capturing Baby’s First Year: Using Props & Themes To Elevate your Baby's First Year Photos

A baby’s first year is packed with milestones, each moment worthy of celebration—and, of course, photos! Whether you are taking photos at home with your phone, or hiring a professional to do the job, using thoughtful props and themes can make each session unique and memorable. Here we'll explore some creative ideas for capturing a baby’s journey from newborn to first birthday.

Newborn (0-3 Months): Soft & Snuggly

Newborn sessions are all about capturing those fresh, delicate features and sleepy, curled-up poses. Keep the vibe warm and cozy with:

• Soft blankets & wraps – Neutral tones or pastels create a timeless look.

• Baskets & beds – A tiny basket or a vintage-inspired bed adds charm.

• Stuffed animals – A cuddly companion makes for an endearing photo.

• Seasonal touches – Think tiny pumpkins for fall babies or snowflakes for winter newborns.

  

  Sweet Dreams

  
  

  

  Holiday Wonder

  
  

Three to Six Months: Bright Eyes & Tiny Smiles

By this stage, babies are more alert and expressive. Highlight their growing personality with:

• Tummy time setups – Capture those adorable wide-eyed expressions.

• Simple toys – Wooden rattles, plush blocks, or teething rings add interest.

• Mini chairs, baskets or crates – Safely supporting them in a sitting position adds variety.

• Themed outfits & props – Rompers, tutus, or tiny bow ties bring a fun touch.

  
  
  
  

  

  Strawberry Sweetheart

  
  

Six to Nine Months: Sitting, Crawling & Giggling

Babies at this age are active and interactive, which makes for lively, engaging photos. Try:

• Playful setups – A baby in a tiny bathtub or playing with bubbles is always a win.

• Creative themes – Fairy Tale outfits, woodland creature themes, or sports-inspired props.

• Family & sibling moments – This is a great age to capture bonding moments.

  
  

  

  Gator Baby

  
  

Nine to Twelve Months: First Steps & Cake Smashes

The grand finale of the first year calls for extra-special themes!

• Milestone boards – Highlight baby’s weight, favorite things, and new skills.

• Outdoor adventures – A picnic, a swing, or a walk in the park captures natural joy.

• Cake smash – A classic and fun way to celebrate baby’s first birthday.

• Balloon extravaganza – A room filled with balloons makes for a whimsical, colorful backdrop.

  
  

  

  Sweet Stuff

  
  

  

  I'm a Big Boy Now

  
  

Final Tips for a Successful Session

• Keep it simple – Baby is the star; avoid overly busy backdrops.

• Safety first – Always ensure props are secure and baby is comfortable.

• Capture candid moments – Sometimes, the best shots are the unplanned giggles and yawns.

• Choose a color palette – Soft pastels, earth tones, or bold pops of color create cohesive images.

  
  

With a little planning and creativity, each stage of a baby’s first year can be beautifully documented. Whether you’re capturing sleepy newborn cuddles or a frosting-covered one-year-old, these themes and props will make the moments even more magical!

Ethereal Elegance: Why Milk Bath Maternity Photos are a must-Try

You may have heard of milk bath maternity sessions, but perhaps don't really know what they entail, or why some moms-to-be choose these rather than a more traditional session. Here are some things you should know about what makes these sessions so special:

1. Milk bath sessions are sensory experience - slow moving, serene, and quiet - immersing you in a warm, milk-filled bath with flower petals and greenery. Sounds luxurious, right?

2. Artistically speaking, these sessions have a dreamy, ethereal aesthetic, which is perfect for celebrating the beauty of pregnancy and complements the softness of the moment, while the quiet, muted tones add a timeless elegance to the images.

3. They're intimate and emotional. It's a special way to capture the unique bond between you and your baby.

4. Lastly, you are going to feel like a goddess. The water, the flowers, the luxury. How could you not feel amazing?

   
   

Dreamy

Even with this information, you may still have questions. I've compiled some the most commonly asked ones below:

• What's in the bath? Typically it's just water and a little bit of milk powder to give that water that ethereal cloudiness. You can add food coloring if you're going for a theme, or even leave the water clear and just decorate with flowers and foliage.

• What kind of flowers are used? The most common are roses (both petals and full blooms with stems), peonies, hydrangeas, and sunflowers. You can also add slices of citrus, or sprigs of lavender and eucalyptus. The key is to use colors that will stand out against the water, and make sure the colors complement one another (check out this color wheel for inspiration).

• What should I wear? Depending on your comfort level, you can wear some lacy lingerie, a sheer dress, or simply a bandeau and a neutral colored panty. You could also go nude, and use creative posing to cover any parts you don't want to show.

• Do I need to do anything to prepare? I'd recommend an exfoliating skin treatment and a good moisturizer to enhance the glow for those close-up shots (and also it feels amazing).

• When is the best time to have my milk bath session? As with any maternity session, it's best to book it for anywhere between 28 and 36 weeks, when the belly is full and round, and you're still relatively comfortable.

I do want to mention that when choosing your photographer, it's a good idea to do some research before you book. Make sure they have experience with milk bath sessions (as well as maternity photography in general), and that their style/aesthetic lines up with your vision. It's also a good idea to make sure you feel comfortable with them, as this is a very intimate and vulnerable experience.

Ethereal

Milk bath maternity sessions are a beautiful way to celebrate the journey of motherhood. With their dreamy, timeless aesthetic and intimate atmosphere, they create stunning keepsakes that capture the natural glow of pregnancy. By incorporating soft lighting, floral accents, and a serene environment, these sessions offer a unique and pampering experience for expectant mothers. Whether you’re looking for a creative way to document your pregnancy or simply want a moment of calm before baby arrives, milk bath photography is the perfect choice for an unforgettable memory.

Personalized Portraits: Exploring the Diverse Styles of Maternity Photography

When it comes to the aesthetic of maternity photography sessions, these days there are a lot to choose from. Every photographer has a different style, a preferred way of capturing the grace of new motherhood. Some prefer the classic look of a studio session, which can entail anything from your most basic look to full-on glamour. Other photographers like to keep things organic, photographing their moms-to-be outside in a natural setting, or even at home, where some people are most comfortable. Others, like myself, choose to customize the look for each client - whether that's a lifestyle session, a glam/fantasy session, or somewhere in between.

Whatever the style, it's important to explore each one and determine which one (or ones) resonate with you. Are you more of a low-key person that likes to keep things basic and comfortable, or do you enjoy getting dressed up and being the center of attention? There's no wrong answer - there's only what fits your individual style and personality.

To help you decide, I'd like to give a brief overview of the themes I generally stick to as an on-location photographer (meaning, I don't have a studio so we'll shoot either in your home or at an agreed-upon outdoor location, such as a garden, park, or even the beach), and how they can be customized to fit your vision.

IN-HOME LIFESTYLE

These sessions are, obviously, held in your home. What makes them ideal is that it's your environment, which you can control - and in Florida, where the weather likes to run from one extreme to the other, this can be ideal for a lot of people. We typically choose a room (sometimes more) that has lots of gorgeous light, lots of spots for fun, organic poses and spontaneous moments. In most cases, this would be the kitchen and/or living room, as they tend to have the most space and light. However, this is not written in stone, especially if you choose to include a milk bath in your session (psst...these are amazing).

In-Home Lifestyle Captures Tender Moments Between the Expecting Couple

Intimate and Sweet Milk Bath Maternity

Outdoor Lifestyle

This is pretty much exactly what it sounds like, but there are many ways to do this kind of session. A lot of it will depend on your personal style, and what you want to incorporate into the photos (i.e. your partner, props, accessories, or parts of your life that are important to you). It can be as casual or dressy as you want it to be. Some moms-to-be will buy (or borrow) a dress that has some movement to it, something a little dressier than their day-to-day, but that still fits their own aesthetic. Some will just wear what they always wear, because that's when they're most comfortable. There really aren't any rules -this is about YOU and how you want to feel on the day we memorialize one of the most important parts of your journey.

Quiet Solo Session In A Simple, Natural Setting

Incorporating Yoga Into a Maternity Session

Outdoor Glam & Fantasy

To be honest, these are one of my very favorite sessions to do, because there is just so much room for creativity and fun. And I really love to help mamas look and feel their absolute best - beautiful, powerful, and elegant.

How do we accomplish this? Wardrobe, makeup, and setting. It's a combination that, when put together thoughtfully, will elevate the images from "wow" to "POW!"

I have a client closet with dresses that range from slightly glam to red carpet fab, and I encourage all of my clients to check in out in case one of them inspires a theme that's extra in the very best way.

Some clients have their own looks that they've already crafted, and all we have to do is collaborate to pull all the elements together and make that look come to life.

However you approach it, the experience is 100% customizable, and I promise you'll walk away feeling like a goddess.

Stunning Red Gown Pops Against A Dark Wooded Setting

Incorporating A Little Bit of Fantasy Into An Outdoor Maternity Session

Natural Golden Hour Light Can Add Drama To Any Image

This Dress Hugs Your Curves In All the Right Places - Check out my client closet for more! (purpleflyphotography.com/clientcloset-maternity)

She Certainly Looks Like a Goddess...

However you choose to approach the look of your maternity session, it is always my honor to document this part of your journey and make you feel amazing in the process. Knowing you can build and customize your session to fit your needs and style takes a lot of the pressure off, so you can just relax and let me guide you through each image.

Nancy