A one year old in pink knit overalls leaning on a small vintage ladder and holding a flower toward the camera.

One year sessions in the studio can be unpredictable. Each child is so different – outgoing or shy, calm or energized. And each child’s preferences can change from day to day, hour to hour, depending on whether they’ve had a nap, if they’re hungry, or just what mood strikes them that day.

No matter what happens during a one year session, a few things tend to be true – and you shouldn’t stress about any of them.

They’ll get hurt before the session

It happens so often – it’s like they know photos are coming. Anywhere from 2-24 hours before your session, they will trip, run into something, or otherwise injure themselves, resulting in a scrape or bruise (or both) somewhere prominent – usually the middle of their forehead. Don’t worry – I can edit it out.

One year old posing on a white bench wearing a purple sweater, smiling at the camera.
This little girl had a scrape and a bruise on her forehead, but you’d never know it after editing.

They will learn some new trick that you’ve never seen before, and do it for the entire session

Discovered their tongue? It will be poking out in 79% of their images. Watched me blow raspberries and thought it was super cool? They will imitate the crap out of it.

It’s OK – it’s adorable, it makes them (and us) laugh, and they will make lots of other faces too. I’m quick on the shutter and you’ll have a great variety to choose from.

Plus it really just shows who they are at this time. Kids are little explorers, soaking up their environment and learning something new every day. I love documenting that.

We will all get a workout. 


Unlike my newborn sessions where I’m the one posing and being very hands on, you’ll be helping more during your baby’s one year session. Children this age tend to be more shy, so I let you do most of the hands on interactions (though I’ve had many children reach for me to be held and I’m more than happy to oblige).

Plus, they’re quick! I tend to stay in one place ready with the camera. Your baby will run away from wherever we want them to be, and you will put them back, over and over and over. Don’t be fooled if your baby is only crawling – they are still little speed demons.  

While you are on chasing-baby duty, I will make lots of ridiculous sounds, constantly bring in new pieces of furniture or toys to keep their attention, and try not to pee my pants when I fake sneeze to make them laugh. We may listen to Baby Shark an obnoxious amount of times.

I think fitness watches should make “one year photo session” a workout option, don’t you?

A one year old in a purple sweater and jeans against a white backdrop. She is smiling while trying to run away from the camera.

You will be amazed when you see your photos

To you it might feel like absolute chaos, but I’ll know it’s all working perfectly – trust the process. As long as we make it fun, flex with whatever your child’s needs are that day, and offer them setups where they feel safe and comfortable to be themselves, everything is going exactly as it should.

Just like that, we will have all the little quirks of your baby’s personality captured forever. When they go off to kindergarten for the first time and you find yourself tearily looking back at these, wondering where the time went, you will be so glad to have them.

A few ways to ensure success

To get the very best outcome:

-plan the session during your baby’s happy time, when they are least likely to be hungry or tired

-bring little snacks – posing is hard work, hangriness happens – plus they make good bribes!
(also note, I always have goldfish crackers and other little treats on hand at the studio too, for anyone who needs them 🙂 )

-if they have a favorite toy or blanket, bring it along! I love incorporating their favorite things. They’ll feel more comfortable having it with them, and when they’re older and look back at the photos they’ll say “Awe, I remember that blanket!” Kids love being told stories about when they were little, and you will have photos to prompt those stories.

-Just stay positive. If one thing doesn’t work, no problem – we just move onto the next. We treat it like fun playtime and don’t stress.

*I know this can be hard, when it’s your own kid and you really just want them to behave. And absolutely, sometimes rules are called for. But for the most part, follow their lead, redirect and guide as needed, and just have fun.*



-Trust me 🙂 I’ve been doing this for going on 10 years, and I’ve got you. If I’m smiling, there’s nothing to worry about, and at the end if I say we’ve got everything we need – it’s true.

One year old in pink knit overalls, sitting in a white rocking chair and smiling.

How to book

You can add a Mini Milestone at any point in baby’s first year – from maternity sessions to 3, 6, 9, or 12 months – or at any point you decide you need photos!

Sessions can be outdoors or in my downtown Escanaba studio. I keep a small client closet on hand, and you’re welcome to bring anything you’d like too.

We can keep things simple and portrait-focused, or get really in-depth with story telling if you want to plan more around your baby’s personality (which is something I love!)

For your Milestone Mini, your session fee includes 5-7 digital files. Once you view your images, you can choose those images, or if you decide you need more, you can apply that session fee toward a package. No pressure to do so, but the option is there if you’d like.

You can contact me here to start planning or with any questions!