Your baby will be growing a lot in their first year. Time will fly by and before you know it, the newborn that you were nervous to bring home will become a walking, babbling, giggling (with that toothy smile) one-year-old. One way to capture the time is by taking photos of your little one along the way. There are many ways to document your baby’s growth. Whether you decide to use baby month custom stickers or flowers, the changes will be clear. We’ve collected 11 creative baby’s first year photo ideas to inspire your journey.
Once you have an idea of how you want to photograph your baby’s first year, download and print our baby month stickers to include in the photos. When the year has passed, turn those precious photos into a baby photo book you can look back at for a lifetime.
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All the Facts
Start with a blank slate. Photograph your little one on a plain white backdrop then add colored text on top of the photo afterwards. Include weight, height and highlights from the month. Don’t forget little details because even the small things become a memory you can smile back on.Photo by Tonya Photography
Float Away
A fun baby picture idea is adding a balloon for every month your bundle of joy has been alive. Use the same backdrop in each photo for consistency. By the 12th month milestone they might even be able to hold the balloons themself!Photo by Mom Tog
A Floral Arrangement
Flowers will add color and life to your baby’s first year pictures. Choose flowers that are in season that month and design numbers to represent how old your little one is. The same outfit won’t fit your baby for all the photos (they’re growing so fast!) but keeping the same color scheme of clothes will make for the best photos.Photo by Lauren Bowyer
From Belly to Baby
Try creating the same pose throughout your photos. It’s nearly impossible to get your baby to hold the same position month over month, so join him or her in the photo to keep the consistency. Make sure to choose a comfortable pose that will work even when they grow.Photo by Simply Rosie
Hold 'em High
Proudly show off your baby by holding them high above your head. Catch the window of time when they will be small enough to lift up in photos by recreating this pose month over month. Try using a plain colored background so they are the center of attention.Photo by Little Meg
Calendar Composition
To visually demonstrate how fast the days are passing, position your little one next to or on top of a calendar. Circle the date that you are taking the photo to show the timeline. The photo doesn’t need to be taken the same exact day each month, in fact it will make for better photos if it’s slightly different.Photo by The Pursuit of Happiness
ABC's
You don’t need the whole body to be visible in order to show growth. The face says it all. Position writing above your baby’s head to show the time frame and snap a portrait. Your baby’s focus doesn’t need to be up the whole time, but if you want their attention try dangling a toy from above the camera.Photo by Famille Summerbelle
Stuffed Animal Progress
Sometimes size comparison is the best way to show growth. Take a photo of your baby next to a stuffed animal. Pick a stuffed animal that is the same size as them at one month so that by the 12 month milestone the progress will be clear.Photo by Simple Moments Stick
One Step At a Time
Those little fingers and toes won’t stay tiny forever. Capture them by taking a photo each month. These photos don’t have to have the same backdrop. Try taking a photo naturally in your daily life like on a trip to the beach or falling asleep in the crib.
A Seasonal Event
Do you enjoy decorating for holidays? Use that creativity as a backdrop for your monthly photos. There’s an opportunity each month to dress your little one up for the season. This will show time passing as well as the growth of your baby.
Lounging and Laughing
Find a comfortable chair in your house to use as the photo setting. Propping your baby up will be easier if they have a comfortable surface to lean against. Try adding baby month stickers to your little one’s shirt to mark the age.Photo by A Girl Named PJ
Baby Month Stickers
Creating photos each month is a visual way to show time passing. We’ve created baby month stickers for month’s one through 12 that will be a stylish addition to your photos and help document the moment more clearly. Choose girl, boy or gender neutral markers and add the numbered stickers to your shot each month.
In need of baby book ideas? These first year photo ideas will be the perfect start to creating your own baby’s first year photo book. Share this year of firsts with your family and friends.
