Baby Milestone Packages Explained: What to Capture and When
One of the most common conversations I have with new parents is about planning. They want to capture everything — and then they hit the reality of budget, time, and a baby who doesn't cooperate on command.
Here's the practical guide to milestone photography packages: what's available, what the common approaches are, and how to choose.
The Two Approaches
Individual sessions. Book each milestone separately as it approaches. Newborn at Day 7, sitter at 6 months, first birthday at 12 months — each on its own terms, with its own booking fee and package selection.
Multi-session packages. Book a combination of sessions together at a discounted combined rate. The specific combinations available depend on the current package offering — contact me for current multi-session pricing.
The Popular "Big Three" Plan
Most families who are thinking intentionally about their first-year photography end up doing some version of:
- Newborn session — the foundation
- Sitter session (6–8 months) — the personality explosion
- First birthday session — the culmination
These three sessions, taken together, create a gallery arc that tells the complete story of year one. Each is visually distinct (the baby looks dramatically different at each stage), and each captures something unrepeatable.
Adding to the Big Three
The 3-month/100-day session is a popular addition — especially for families who want to document the transition from newborn to alert, interactive baby.
The 9-month session captures the crawling, pulling-to-stand stage with a genuinely different personality quality from the sitter session.
Annual family sessions can be added from year two onward — keeping the same photographer creates remarkable visual continuity as your child grows.
How to Budget
My milestone sessions (outside newborn, which has its own package structure) are priced individually. A standard milestone session falls in the $288–$450 range depending on session length, number of setups, and edited photos.
For families planning the big three or more sessions, I'm happy to discuss a multi-session approach. Reach out directly.
Message me to plan your first-year photography.
Fernanda Bautzer Photography · 231 Yorkville Road SW, Calgary.