Newborn baby on his tummy trying to support himself.

Milestones

Life with a family moves fast, and it’s easy to think you’ll get around to booking a photographer “at some point.” But some moments really don’t wait. If you’ve ever scrolled through your phone looking for a decent photo of your newborn’s first few weeks, only to find twenty blurry snaps taken in a rush, you already know what I mean. Knowing roughly when the best windows are for professional family photos can save you a lot of that “I wish we’d captured that” feeling later on.

The early days are a lovely window for family photos, but you’ve got more flexibility than you might think. While some photographers push for that tiny newborn stage within the first two weeks, babies are wonderfully photogenic right through to around three months old — the little smiles are starting to appear, they’re a bit more alert and interactive, and you’re (hopefully) getting a touch more sleep yourself. If you didn’t manage to book something in those first couple of weeks, there’s no need to feel like you’ve missed the boat. A session anytime in that newborn-to-three-month range still captures all that softness and newness before they start growing out of it.

First birthdays are their own kind of milestone worth planning for too. There’s something wonderful about photographing a one-year-old who’s just found their feet and started toddling around — it makes for the sweetest portrait of how far they’ve come in just twelve months.

  • Top view of a baby sleeping peacefully in his cot.
  • Baby feet held by a man's hand.
  • A mum in bed holding her newborn baby.
  • Little baby in his dad's arms.
  • Dad feeding his newborn baby.
  • Mum in white nightie holding her newborn baby while looking at the camera.
  • Little boy sitting down on the grass.

Seasonal sessions are a bit more forgiving on timing but no less lovely. Golden hour — that soft, warm light in the hour or so before sunset — is a favourite for family portraits because it flatters everyone and gives photos a timeless, slightly dreamy feel. Autumn in a London park, or a bright spring day with everything in bloom, both make for gorgeous backdrops without needing a big production. If your family has a particular season you love, whether that’s crisp winter light or long summer evenings, it’s worth booking a few weeks ahead so you’re not scrambling to find a free slot right when the light is at its best.

School-age milestones are the ones people tend to forget about until it’s almost too late. Starting reception, losing that first tooth — these are the years that go by in a blur, and a proper set of family photos every year or two helps you actually notice how much everyone has grown. Siblings change dynamics too, so a session that includes the whole family as it evolves, rather than just the baby years, ends up meaning more the older your kids get.

Little girl with beautiful blue eyes and missing teeth looking at the camera and smiling.
3 kids sitting on a log and hugging each other at Wandsworth Common.
2 little girls smiling at the camera.