Celebrating Baby’s First Year with Milestone Portraits in Cuyahoga Falls

There’s something truly magical about watching a baby grow—from those sleepy newborn days to the confident, curious one-year-old they become. One of my favorite parts of being a photographer is documenting that transformation for families through milestone portraits during the baby’s first year.

Your baby changes more in the first 12 months than at any other time in their life. That’s why my First Year Bundle is designed to capture each meaningful stage—not just the beginning and the end, but everything in between.

In this post, I’m sharing how newborn, tummy time, sitter, and first birthday portraits come together to tell a complete, beautiful story of your baby’s first year.

Newborn Portraits: The Beginning of It All (7–14 Days Old)

Newborn portraits capture your baby at their tiniest—peaceful, curled up, and brand new. These sessions are best photographed within the first 7–14 days, when babies sleep deeply and are still naturally flexible.

At my Cuyahoga Falls studio, newborn sessions are soft, cozy, and timeless. I provide wraps, textures, and simple styling so your baby remains the focus. These images preserve the tiny details that fade all too quickly—lashes, fingers, and that impossibly small size you’ll never forget.

Tummy Time Milestones: Personality Begins to Shine (3–4 Months)

Around 3–4 months, babies start lifting their heads, smiling intentionally, and interacting with the world in a whole new way. Tummy time sessions are often overlooked, but they’re one of my absolute favorites.

This stage captures your baby’s first expressions of personality—bright eyes, gummy smiles, and those adorable chubby cheeks. Babies are usually comfortable on their bellies or propped on their elbows, making these sessions playful and relaxed.

Including a tummy time session adds an important chapter to your baby’s story and beautifully bridges the gap between newborn and sitter portraits.

Sitter Sessions: The Sweet Spot (6–7 Months)

If there’s a “golden age” for baby portraits, 6–7 months might be it. Sitter sessions capture babies once they can sit independently but before they’re constantly on the move.

At this stage, babies are expressive, curious, and full of joyful reactions. We often photograph them sitting, clapping, grabbing their toes, or belly laughing. The images from sitter sessions are vibrant, interactive, and full of life.

This milestone shows just how much your baby has grown—physically and emotionally—since those early newborn days.

First Birthday Portraits: A Celebration of One Whole Year

First birthday sessions mark the completion of your baby’s first year—a huge milestone for both baby and parents. Whether you choose a classic portrait, cake smash, spaghetti smash, or something unique, this session celebrates everything your baby has become.

By this stage, many babies are crawling, standing, or even taking their first steps. Their confidence, expressions, and curiosity shine through in every image.

When placed next to newborn portraits, first-birthday photos create a powerful before-and-after that parents cherish for a lifetime.

Why Families in Cuyahoga Falls Love the First Year Bundle

Families throughout Cuyahoga Falls, Akron, Stow, Hudson, and Fairlawn love the First Year Bundle because it tells a complete story. When all four milestones are displayed together—in an included hand-designed custom album and framed wall art—you can truly see the incredible growth that happens in just one year.

We often coordinate styling and backdrops across sessions so the images feel cohesive and timeless. Seeing your baby photographed in similar tones or poses across milestones adds an emotional impact that standalone sessions simply can’t match.

Planning Ahead: When to Book Milestone Portraits

Because newborn sessions take place in the first two weeks, I recommend booking your First Year Bundle during pregnancy. This ensures priority scheduling and allows us to plan each milestone.

Newborn: 7–14 days
Tummy Time: 3–4 months
Sitter: 6–7 months
First Birthday: 11–12 months

Booking all four sessions together not only guarantees availability but also creates a seamless, stress-free experience throughout your baby’s first year.

Ready to Tell Your Baby’s First-Year Story?

If you’re expecting or looking ahead to your baby’s milestones, I would love to help you preserve every stage—from the tiniest newborn details to that joyful one-year smile.

My studio is located in Cuyahoga Falls, and I proudly serve families throughout Summit County, including Akron, Stow, Hudson, and Fairlawn.

✨ Let’s capture the year that changes everything—one milestone at a time.

👉 Contact me here to book your First Year Bundle
📧 Or email ashley@blushphoto.co