Two of the biggest milestones in a baby’s first year are sitting and standing. The sitter stage at about 6-9 months is one of my favorites, and I know you won’t regret scheduling a session to capture this remarkable new skill. Here are just a few of the reasons a photo session for a sitting baby is a can’t miss event!
Your baby is so proud of their new sitting skills
Mastering the new skill of sitting and having a new way of looking at the world seems to make babies so proud and happy. It’s fun to be able to photograph them in a new position, too. Before they can sit, they can be photographed lying down or propped up with something. It’s amazing how different it looks to have them be upright, and you can see they feel it, too.
Photographing babies at the sitting stage also opens up the possibility of moving outdoors for pictures. When a baby is lying down, there’s not much opportunity to get outdoor scenery in the background. A sitting pose is perfect for that.
Another new skill babies may have at this age is bearing some weight on their legs when you hold their hands. One of my favorite things to do is to have the parents hold their baby’s hands but keep the rest of their body outside the frame. It almost always brings a big grin to a baby’s face!
Babies at the sitting stage are generally cheerful and don’t have stranger anxiety yet
In a month or two, many babies will develop some stranger anxiety- being fearful of or shy around unfamiliar people. This can cause babies to give their photographer the ‘thousand mile stare’, since they’re learning to sort between familiar and unfamiliar things. At its peak, babies will look very frightened of the new person or start to cry- not the expressions you want in pictures!
At this golden age when they’re first sitting, though, they are usually happy to see anyone, and it’s easy to get smiles from them just by smiling or talking to them. And there’s nothing cuter than a joyous baby smile!
Accessories are still tolerated
This isn’t universally true, but I know they are tolerated better at this age than at a year. Hats, headbands, barrettes, socks, etc. stay on better now than when babies are older. At a year, it’s often a game of ‘try to quickly get the picture before the cute item gets ripped off’- and we’re talking in nanoseconds. Accessories aren’t necessary, but they can add a certain something and variety is always a good thing.
Sitting babies are adorable in many ways
From their silky hair to round cheeks to deliciously chubby thighs, babies are adorable at this age. They can show a lot of skin and many rolls, and it’s blissful. They’re remarkably flexible and can often get their toes in their mouths. They put their whole bodies into everything they do, and that eagerness and commitment to each move shows. They’re innocent and enthusiastic about the world around them. I sincerely believe it’s one of the most fun ages to capture!
If you have a baby who’s near or at the sitter stage, I highly recommend scheduling a photo session. I find it’s easier on your baby to wait to do the pictures until they are sitting fairly confidently. Before then, they will tire quickly and may get frustrated, so it’s better to follow their timeline and do it when they’re ready.
For these sessions, I come to your home and bring lights, backgrounds and props. Your home doesn’t need to be a perfect photo studio- I can set up pretty much anywhere. We can usually fit in up to 3 outfits. I have some accessories and am happy to bring them if you’d like to use them.
If you have more questions or would like to schedule a session, send me an email at ellendykstraphotography@gmail.com or give me a call at 269-267-7083. I’d love to work with you and your baby to capture pictures of the sitting stage!
