From Maternity to Newborn: Capturing Your Baby's First Year

Welcoming a new life into the world is one of the most incredible journeys, filled with anticipation, joy, and love. As a maternity and newborn photographer, I have the privilege of capturing these beautiful moments—starting from the glow of pregnancy (and all the less glamorous parts) to the first tiny yawns and giggles of your baby. Documenting these milestones ensures that you have timeless keepsakes to cherish for years to come.

In this blog post, I really want to encourage you to invest in making memories. Even if you feel tired and not ready to be in front of the camera post-partum. I promise that I know from experience you will look back at ALL those photos with such love and pride a few years down the road!

Maternity Photos: Embracing the Magic (and Chaos) of Pregnancy

Maternity photos are a wonderful way to celebrate the beauty of pregnancy and the incredible journey your body is going through. I think, the ideal time to schedule your maternity session is between 28-32 weeks, when your baby bump is beautifully rounded, and you still feel comfortable enough for the session. I do understand we all carry differently and I do take photos outside of that window. I have photographed 22 week bumps all the way to 40 weeks!

Some of my favorite locations for maternity photography include the stunning coastal views of Big Sur, the serene beaches of Carmel, and the dreamy woodlands just off the coast. Whether you envision a flowing dress in the golden light of sunset or a jeans and a top for a more editorial look, or an intimate in-home session, maternity photos capture the love and excitement before your little one arrives.

Newborn Photography: Capturing the Sweet Beginnings

Babies change SO fast in those first few weeks, which is why I recommend capturing their tiny perfection within the first 7-14 days. This is when they’re still all curled up and sleepy, making for those classic, heart-melting newborn shots. HOWEVER, since my focus is more on lifestyle photos, the timeline isn’t that strict unless you specifically want the super squishy, sleepy shots. I photograph lifestyle newborn photos all the way up to 8 weeks, so really it’s never too late.

These sessions can be done in the comfort of your home (perfect for those first cozy weeks) or in a studio for that soft, dreamy light. I love incorporating little details that make the session personal. I am more than happy to help suggest what you need to have (which truly not much is necessary).

One of the biggest things that matters for at-home newborn sessions? Lighting! New parents often stress about tidying up before a session, but I promise, we don’t need a spotless house. All we really need is some good natural light and a couple of clear common areas (if there’s no nursery). Whether it’s a cozy corner of the living room or a sunlit spot in your bedroom, we’ll find the perfect space to capture these sweet first days.

Your Baby’s First Year: A Timeline for Capturing Milestones

Your baby will grow and change faster than you can imagine, and each stage is worth documenting. Here’s my go-to timeline for those must-have moments:

Maternity Session (28-32 weeks): Show off that baby bump!

Newborn Session (7-21 days): Tiny toes, squishy cheeks, and those first sleepy days.

Three-Month Session: Baby is more alert, making eye contact, and starting to show off some personality.

Six-Month Session (Sitter Session): Sitting up, full of giggles, and oh-so-curious. (My fav age by far!)

Nine-Month Session: Maybe crawling, maybe standing, definitely getting into everything!

If you’re interested in booking a session, shoot me a message here, and I’ll be in touch!

Anastasia is the photographer and creative mind behind Anastasia Novo. She’s a talented Maternity and Newborn photographer based in Monterey, California.