Everything You Need To Know About 6-12 Month Baby Milestone Sessions

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn & Baby Photographer offering sweet, charming, and timeless baby studio milestone sessions for ages 6-12 months.

Dillon's Six Month Sitter Milestone Session with Sarah Borchgrevink

Greetings, friends! Howdy to you! Thanks for stopping by to read more information about baby milestone sessions! I'm happy you're here and hope you enjoy visiting! Let's get started! Dillon recently visited my newborn & baby studio and was a complete joy to photograph. His sweet smiles, infectious laughter, darling personality, and big blue eyes had me swooning! 

What is a baby milestone session?

Baby milestone sessions take place when your little cherub is anywhere from 6-12 months old. This age is when baby is sitting up, clapping, engaging with the camera, but is not yet walking. These are fun milestones to capture and are a wonderful add on to your newborn session or you're welcome to still visit my studio even if you did not do newborns with me. 

When do baby milestone sessions take place?

Baby milestone sessions take place Monday - Friday between the hours of 11 AM - 3 PM. 

What type of props or styling are included?

During baby milestone sessions, I use simple, classic and darling pieces to accent your baby such as bonnets, wraps, buckets, bowls, or crates. I also use my large 8'x12' custom wood wall to ensure the photos are timeless. If there is a special prop from home, you're welcome to bring a few personal items, however, I do strive for props to be kept to a minimum so that your baby shines. 

How to Book a Baby Milestone Portrait Session

To secure your baby's portraiture appointment on my calendar, you're sent a non-refundable retainer invoice for $100 as well as a portraiture contract. Your retainer is deducted from your overall balance. You're given 3-4 appointment dates to pick from. Sessions take place in my studio located near Barker Cypress & 290, located in Northwest Harris county in Houston, TX.

HOW YOU RECEIVE YOUR HIGH RESOLUTION, DIGITAL GALLERY

• 10 business days after your portraiture session, you're presented with a  digital gallery of edited baby images. You will see anywhere from 20- 35 images, depending on how your session goes. You pick your favorite 10 or have the option to add additional digital files, too. There is no pressure to upgrade. 

Option to add heirloom professional prints to your order

There is the option, however, to add lovely professional prints of heirloom quality for parents seeking top of the line ways to preserve their images. Read about which product is the perfect memory keeper for you.

Each collection also has the option to add the following, though there is no obligation to do so:

• An elegant, modern professional heirloom 8x8" hardcover photography book | $200
• Impressive, traditional wrapped canvas wall art groupings beginning at $300
• Memory saver prints package containing your favorite 10 4x6" prints in a lovely gift box for $60

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Houston. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including North Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, Jersey Village, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Conroe, Willis, Montgomery, Humble, Kingwood, Porter, New Caney, Waller, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Fulshear, Sugar Land, Pearland, Hempstead, Richmond, West University, Rice Village and Porter TX. Connect to chat with Sarah today! Please consider booking your session at your earliest convenience in order to secure your appointments on the calendar.

 

Five Simple Ways to Create Variety in Outdoor Fall Family Sessions

Five Simple Ways To Create Gorgeous Fall Family Sessions Full of Variety, Vibrancy and Love

Adorable Outdoor Fall Family Photography in Houston TX

Greetings, friends! Good afternoon to you! Thanks for clicking over to my blog to see some awesome simple tips on how to create variety in your family sessions, particularly outdoors in a natural light setting. As a Houston photographer, I can tell you that sometimes it's easy to feel "stuck" during a session. This is probably the first time you've met the family and you are a stranger to their children. However, I have been working a newborn and family portrait artist since 2013 and have accumulated much knowledge through trial and error. These are helpful tips I've found to work for me and my own business model. I hope you enjoy reading!

Selecting a great location that's inspired by fall

So: in Houston, we have two seasons: hot and hotter. We also sometimes get hot and muggy, too! The best time to take outdoor family photos in Houston is always the fall. This is when we have a slight reprieve in the warm weather and it may be around 85 or 90 degrees, which is essentially a cool front for us! When working with your clients outdoors, select a location that is timeless, classic, and not distracting to the viewer. This session will become a treasured family heirloom; pick a spot that will look forever stunning upon the walls. Avoid places that have random signs or buildings that do not work with the aesthetic. For this particular session, I chose Telge Park, located in Northwest Houston, during golden hour, which is right before sunset. Here's a helpful map just for you:

 

Make Sure Your Camera Settings are spot on

In order to create vibrant family sessions full of variety, you have to have the correct camera settings. You are the boss of your camera. Your camera is simply a tool that acts as your paintbrush. Your location is your canvas, and the light is your inspiration. I always use camera settings that are appropriate to my subjects, such as moving children. For sharp, crisp, and lovely family images, I like to use my Mark iii camera body as well as a Canon EF 135 F/2.0L lens. I typically will keep my settings at about ISO 800, shutter speed 1/640, and f/stop (aperture) at around 2.2 - 2.8. Sometimes I'll also shoot wide open if all of the subjects are on the same focal length. The wide aperture gives you a creamy, gorgeous background that's compressed and also makes sure that your subject "pops" from the background, too. Your camera settings need to reflect the movement, light, and final look of the images you're looking to produce.

Make a list of all combinations 

During a family session, there is so much more than just family photos. As a mother, I can tell you that it is wonderful to have many options to consider when hanging the photos. For instance, my final gallery comes with 35 retouched digital files for my outdoor family photography sessions in Houston, TX. I may take around 200 clicks, but during this time we cover many poses and options. Some of the family photo combinations you might consider are:

• 3-4 family set ups showcasing everyone
• Dad with the children
• Mom with the children
• Children together
• Individual photos of the children

Keep the session moving without pauses

By having a consistent shot list in mind, you will achieve two things: first and foremost, you'll have a ton of variety and each image will stand alone without looking repetitive. You'll also be able to keep the session moving very quickly. For example, I often do a full family session in about 25-30 minutes. There are no awkward pauses or fumbling; over the years, I have learned how to keep things fun, fresh and focused. If something is not working, don't let the client know you're displeased. Instead, move on and make a mental note you may need to return to that combination. Also a great tip is to find out if there are any images Mom does NOT want. To explain, she may not need an image of her with each child, but would instead prefer a photo of all the children with her. I can tell you, a Mama wants to be surrounded by her sweet babies. I would not hang an image of one child without including the other. That's just me. :-) 

Keep Everyone Involved and Up to Speed

Communication is key! In life, so many mishaps can be avoided by simply communicating with your family clients. During the session, relay to them what is going to happen. Before the session occurs, they should truly know what to expect, but as you're working, don't be afraid to say, "Hey, Mom and Dad: after this we're going to move on to kids as a group." That way, everyone knows. I might also say, "Mom, would you mind sitting next to me and helping to sing a song the children love?" By keeping your clients involved, effectively communicating, and making sure everyone knows what's next you will be able to have a great deal of variety simply by keeping things running smoothly. 

For example, after the family photos for this session, Mom also reserved time to do an outdoor cake smash inspired by all things pumpkins and fall for her own little one. See his one year photos and how he is such a sweetheart! By keeping his parents involved, they knew when the pumpkin pie smash would take place and how to prepare for this so baby would be happy. 

Thanks so much for stopping by to read 5 simple ways to create variety in your outdoor fall family photography sessions! You may also be interested in reading about the following:

• Outdoor Photoshoot locations in Houston TX
• How to Pose Families for Natural, Carefree Sessions
• 8 Ways to Have an Amazing Houston Maternity/Family Session
• How to Choose the Perfect Outdoor Sunrise Location for Houston Family Photography

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Houston. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including North Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, Jersey Village, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Conroe, Willis, Montgomery, Humble, Kingwood, Porter, New Caney, Waller, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Fulshear, Sugar Land, Pearland, Hempstead, Richmond, West University, Rice Village and Porter TX. Connect to chat with Sarah today! Please consider booking your session at your earliest convenience in order to secure your appointments on the calendar.

The Cutest Pumpkin at the Patch | Ben Turns One with a Smash

Houston Baby Photographer, Sarah Borchgrevink Photography, offers adorable outdoor and natural light first birthday and cake smash sessions. Check out Benjamin's one year session!

Benjamin Turns The Big One with a Fall Inspired Pumpkin Pie Smash

Hi, friends and happy Monday to you! I'm excited you're here at my blog. If you've stopped by, you're in for a treat because today's sweet blog post chats about the cutest little pumpkin in the patch, aka Benjamin! He is a Baby Plan Membership client of mine meaning his parents commissioned me to photograph his newborn, sitter, and one year birthday photos. I adore working with these clients as they're especially near and to me.

A few questions I often am asked are where do cake smashes take place, what's included, and how to book. I'm honored to assist you! To begin: cake smash sessions take place either in my Houston Newborn & Baby Studio or from an outdoor location list I've curated over the years.

For cake smashes, I provide simple props like a vintage high chair, buckets, boxes, crates, etc. Anything super specific to your theme or decor is provided by parents. You're welcome to go as simple or festive as you like. In this case, for instance, Ben's parents chose to do the cake smash after his first birthday party so they brought decorations from his fall inspired October birthday party. 

If you have a little girl, you may be interested in reading about the following:

• Whimsical and Shabby-Chic Baby Girl First Birthday Session

Fall Inspired Outdoor Cake Smash Session

As you can see from the detailed images below, Ben's parents provided some super adorable details, such as home made baked pumpkin pie (that smelled so delicious!) as well as a banner with his name and a cake topper. They also provided the pumpkin. At the photographer, I brought the barrel and the high chair. 

Before the actual smash, however, I really like to spend time with baby taking some individual portraits of him. This is when we show off their first birthday milestones, such as walking, if they are walking at this time, standing, clapping, etc, and of course those adorable contagious smiles that parents love so dearly! It's so fun to see little one again, especially when you're a baby plan client, because I've been documenting the first year of life since newborn.

For this session, we used a great location in NW Houston called Telge Park. Because it is fall and the busiest time of the year for photos, we found a quiet little spot so it worked out nicely! We also shot at sunset so baby could have a long afternoon nap. A tip I always share with my baby clients: choose a time for your session in which baby is most happy. My sessions begin early in the morning or later in the evening, so this is an important factor for having a really great session!

After individual images of little one and the detailed shots of their decor and themed set up, we move on to the grand finale: the smash! One of my favorite parts of this Houston Cake Smash and First Birthday Session is the pumpkin pie. There's something super endearing about keeping the season in mind; his mom made the most adorable pumpkin pie. Ben was a little unsure of the pie at first, however, I was completely in love with his sweet toes, long lashes, and his beautiful grins, so he kept me busy at this part! 

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog to read about Ben's first birthday and cake smash session! I hope you return soon to see more adorable sessions I've had the honor of photographing. You may also be interested in seeing the outdoor family photos we took with his parents before the actual smash took place. :-) 

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Houston. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including North Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, Jersey Village, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Conroe, Willis, Montgomery, Humble, Kingwood, Porter, New Caney, Waller, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Fulshear, Sugar Land, Pearland, Hempstead, Richmond, West University, Rice Village and Porter TX. Connect to chat with Sarah today! Please consider booking your session at your earliest convenience in order to secure your appointments on the calendar.