There is such a fun stage between the newborn days and those first birthday celebrations. Around six to nine months, babies are full of personality, big smiles, and endless curiosity. They’re sitting up on their own, laughing easily, and starting to interact with the people they love most. It’s one of my favorite ages to photograph.

This sweet sitter session in Moraga was extra special because Mom and big brother joined in for part of the session. While it’s wonderful to capture milestone portraits of your baby, including family members helps tell a much bigger story. The way Mom makes her little one laugh, the cuddles they share, and the proud smiles from a big sibling are often the images families treasure most years later.

One of the things I love about sitter sessions is that babies are usually happy, engaged, and full of expression. Whether they’re flashing a gummy grin, reaching for Mom’s hands, or giggling with an older sibling, every moment feels genuine. There’s no pressure for them to perform—we simply follow their lead and capture their unique personality.

My studio in Moraga is designed to keep the focus on your family. With soft neutral tones, beautiful natural light, and simple styling, your baby’s expressions and the connections you share become the heart of every image. These timeless portraits look just as beautiful on your walls years from now as they do today.

I photograph families throughout Moraga, Lafayette, Orinda, Walnut Creek, Oakland, Berkeley, and the surrounding East Bay. Whether you’re celebrating your baby’s sitter milestone, first birthday, or welcoming a new baby, I love creating relaxed sessions that capture this season of life in an authentic way.

If your little one is sitting independently but isn’t quite crawling everywhere yet, now is the perfect time to schedule a sitter session. This milestone passes quickly, but the memories—and the photographs—will last a lifetime.

I’d love to help you document this joyful stage for your family.

Thinking about scheduling a newborn session?

Check out my pricing here!

**The sitter stage is such a short but memorable season. Around six to nine months, babies are developing new skills every day—from sitting independently to interacting more with the people they love. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ guide to developmental milestones is a wonderful resource for parents who want to learn more about what to expect during this exciting stage.

One of the greatest compliments I can receive is when a family invites me back after welcoming another baby. When I photographed their daughter three and a half years ago, I never imagined I’d be back in the same home documenting her as a proud big sister!

It feels like just yesterday she was a tiny baby curled up in her parents’ arms. This time, I had the honor of returning to their home to meet their newest little one and capture this exciting new chapter.

One of the things I love most about in-home newborn photography is how relaxed and meaningful it feels. Everything takes place in the comfort of your own home, where your family can settle in naturally without the stress of packing up and leaving with a brand-new baby. The nursery, favorite chair for cuddles, and all of the little details you’ve carefully prepared become part of your family’s story.

For growing families, an in-home session is also perfect for toddlers. Big sisters and brothers can take breaks, play with their own toys, and come back whenever they’re ready for more photos. It creates a calm environment where genuine smiles and sweet sibling moments happen naturally.

I photograph families throughout Moraga, Lafayette, Orinda, Walnut Creek, Oakland, Berkeley, and the surrounding East Bay communities, so every session feels a little different. Whether we’re documenting a newborn in a cozy nursery or cuddling together in the living room, I love using the beautiful natural light in each home to create timeless images that reflect your family’s unique story.

One of my favorite moments from this session was watching their daughter proudly love on her new baby brother. Seeing families grow from three to four is always incredibly rewarding, especially when I’ve had the privilege of documenting both babies’ first days.

At the bottom of this post, I’ve included a few favorite images from their first newborn session with their daughter three and a half years ago. Looking back at those photographs alongside today’s images is such a beautiful reminder of how quickly these years pass. Babies become toddlers, toddlers become proud big siblings, and before you know it, another tiny newborn has joined the family. Being trusted to preserve these milestones is truly one of the greatest joys of my job.

If you’re expecting a baby and are looking for a newborn photographer in Moraga, Lafayette, Orinda, Walnut Creek, or elsewhere in the East Bay, I’d love to help you preserve these first days in a relaxed, natural way. Whether you choose an in-home lifestyle session or a posed studio newborn session, my goal is to create timeless images that you’ll treasure for years to come.

Thinking about scheduling a newborn session?

Check out my pricing here!

If you’re preparing to welcome a baby, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ newborn resources are a great place to learn what to expect during those first few weeks at home.

Returning to Asheville to Photograph a Family I’ve Loved Watching Grow

One of the greatest gifts of being a newborn photographer is watching families grow over the years.

This summer, I’ll be returning to Asheville to visit friends and family. While I’m there, I have the honor of photographing a brand-new baby boy for a family I first met when his big sister was a newborn.

It’s hard to believe that little girl is now three and a half years old because it feels like just yesterday that I was photographing her tiny fingers, sleepy smiles, and the beginning of her family’s journey.

Now they are welcoming a baby brother, and I get to document this exciting new chapter.

The Greatest Compliment

There is no greater compliment than being invited back to photograph a family’s newest baby.

Parents trust me with some of their most treasured memories. When they ask me to return, I know those images have become part of their family story.

Therefore I never take that trust for granted.

Photographing a newborn is special but photographing a second baby for the same family is even more meaningful.

Watching a Big Sister Grow

One of the things I’m most excited about is seeing how much their daughter has grown.

She was once the tiny newborn in front of my camera. Now she is becoming a big sister.

I can’t wait to capture those first sibling moments. The gentle hugs, curiosity, and tiny hands reaching for a new baby brother often become some of a family’s favorite photographs. In fact, sibling photos are some of my favorites to capture!

Looking Forward to Seeing Them Again

Although I now live in California, Asheville will always be my home.

Returning to the area and reconnecting with families I’ve photographed over the years is one of my favorite parts of visiting. Seeing familiar faces and meeting new family members is always a joy.

I am counting down the days until I meet this sweet baby boy, see his family again, and create another collection of memories for them to treasure.

To this wonderful family: thank you for inviting me back. It is truly an honor to be part of your story once again.

Thinking about scheduling a newborn session?

Check out my pricing here!

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends helping older children feel included during a new baby’s arrival.  See here for tips on how to prepare you older child/children !