What to Expect at Your Sitter Milestone Session

Sitter sessions are one of my favorite milestones to photograph. Your baby is sitting, smiling, showing off that growing personality...but usually hasn't figured out how to make a run for the studio door yet. It's a very convenient little window! I generally prefer to photograph developmental milestones, like tummy time, sitting and first birthdays, rather than specific ages, but if you'd rather document your baby at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, etc., that's perfectly fine too.

Sitter Session FAQs

When should I schedule my baby's sitter session?

When your baby can sit nice and steady, completely unassisted. Not sitting for a few seconds before toppling or ‘tripod-sitting’. Most babies reach this stage between 6–9 months, but every baby is different. Eight months seems to be the sweet spot for me.

What time of day is best?

Choose a time when your baby is normally well-rested and happy. For many babies, that's right after their first good morning nap. Of course, babies seem to have an uncanny ability to completely change their schedule on picture day. Just choose the time that's normally best and we'll work with whatever they give us!

What should I bring?

Bring 2–3 outfits, or choose from my baby wardrobe at the studio. If you're bringing your own, make sure everything actually fits and is comfortable. Scratchy collars, tight headbands and stiff clothing aren't much fun when you're eight months old. I usually recommend keeping outfits fairly simple so your baby stays the focus. Special pieces are always welcome, though! Traditional or religious clothing, handmade items, or an outfit that belonged to Mom or Dad as a baby can make these photographs especially meaningful. And bring a bottle, snack or boob. Sometimes a quick feeding and cuddle is all we need for a reset.

“I’m wearing the same dress my mommy wore when she was a baby!” 🩷

How long will the session take?

Plan on 45 minutes to an hour, although we often don't need the full hour. Shy babies may need a little time to warm up, and we'll have plenty of time for a snack or cuddle break if needed. Babies this age also have a pretty short battery life! We'll usually photograph 2–3 outfits, depending on how your baby is doing. It's completely normal for the smiles to start disappearing toward the end.

Do I need to choose my backdrops ahead of time?

Nope. We'll decide on backgrounds, colors and props together at the studio. I recommend using a solid background for at least one setup. Those simple images are timeless and keep all the attention on your baby. If you aren’t obsessed with the monochromatic vibe like I am, I have hundreds of backdrops you can choose from. We'll also switch up the props so you get plenty of variety without needing a completely different backdrop for every photograph.

Did I take your baby’s newborn photos? We can use the same props to showcase just how much they’ve grown. 🥹

Should I bring toys to help get my baby's attention?

Please don't! Let me and my assistant work our magic first. If I'm trying to get your baby to look at the camera while Mom is calling their name from one side and Dad is squeaking a toy from the other, they have absolutely no idea where they're supposed to look. Too much stimulation can make babies shut down. We have plenty of tricks. If those fail, then I’ll ask you to jump in and help.

What if my baby isn't feeling well?

Please don’t schedule for the day after your baby has had any vaccinations. They will not be feeling their best. Speaking of not feeling well… obviously if your baby is sick we will need to reschedule. I follow the sickness policy guidelines issued by the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education. But even if your baby is just struggling with teething, has an ear infection, not sleeping well, or just generally ‘off’ for some reason, please reschedule. I really have no problem with rescheduling. Your baby just won’t be as happy and smiley in a strange environment if they aren’t feeling their best. 

Capturing This Very Short Stage

The sitter stage goes ridiculously fast. Those chubby cheeks, gummy smiles (or maybe a tooth or two!), belly laughs, serious stares and delicious little baby rolls will look completely different by their first birthday. My goal is simply to capture your baby exactly as they are right now.

Sitter milestone sessions take place in my East Austin studio. You can learn more about Austin milestone photography, view session pricing, or visit Jessica Doffing Photography to see more of my work.