This post is sponsored by Carter’s; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Before I had Sophie, I knew that I wanted to take a monthly flower photo of her. There’s just something about having a girl- all of a sudden everything needed to be floral and pink and pretty! Is it just me? I don’t know. So now that she is 5 months (5 months?!?! See her monthly post here!), I have a few of these monthly photos under my belt. I know they are going to get more difficult the more mobile she gets, but I have an inkling they will still be just as adorable as always. :)
Today I’ve teamed up with Carter’s to share a few tips on getting that perfect milestone photo, because it definitely isn’t the easiest thing to do! And I always end them sweating a little, if we’re being totally honest. But it is so worth it!
STEP ONE. Make sure your baby is happy!
This is a no-brainer, right? Don’t try to take her photo when she’s tired/hungry/upset. Really prime her for the photo, and pick a time when her belly is full and she’s awake and happy! For Sophie, this means right after a nap and eating. She’s the most alert and you’re guaranteed lots of smiles and coos- the best for photos! :)
STEP TWO. Choose your medium.
I love using different flowers and positioning them into the number month that corresponds with her age, but another way to do it is to use these cute little milestone cards from Carter’s! Much easier and way less work for you. ;) Whatever you choose, make sure to get everything ready and how you want it before putting your baby in the situation. It’ll make it much less stressful!
STEP THREE. Good lighting.
Good lighting is key! I always do the photos in the daytime, when natural light is best, and I also bring in the big guns, aka our studio lighting. They really help brighten everything up!
STEP FOUR. Get up high.
To capture your baby in the photo and frame her perfectly, put her on a soft rug or blanket on the floor and place yourself up high- I have this little step stool that we got from Ikea (it’s what we use for Sam in the bathroom to wash his hands/brush his teeth!) and it works perfectly. Position yourself close and right above the baby.
STEP FIVE. Be silly!
I get a favorite toy of the moment, or something that makes noise like her little teether that squeaks, and shake it around to get her to look at me. This also usually gets smiles from her. If that doesn’t work, I’ll get reinforcements (aka my hubby) to blow some bubbles! Another surefire way to make her smile? Lots of high-pitched baby talk! Those giggles will come in no time.
STEP SIX. Click click click!
Go crazy! Get that camera ready and just start clicking away! I promise, you’ll end up with more adorable photos than you’ll know what to do with, and the problem will be choosing only one. ;)
Clearly, an important part of these photos is what she wears. We absolutely love Carter’s and regularly purchase their clothing for both Sam and Sophie. She is actually wearing a floral bodysuit from the new Little Baby Basics line, and how cute is it, right? The pieces are all so soft and adorable. Love them!
ANNNND AND AND, a GIVEAWAY!
We’ve teamed up with Carter’s to give away a $100 gift card!
To enter, just leave a comment answering this question: What’s your favorite baby milestone?
xo
p.s. Use code LBB2016 for 20% off $40+ through 7/4 or print below! Find a store here.
Walking! My one year old just started walking for real about 10 weeks ago, and it’s crazy how suddenly they can get around, and into everything! So cute. I love it!
Oh my gosh, I’m not even sure I can choose a favorite milestone. Laughing! Baby coo talking! All the little noises they make! <3
Definitely the “learning how to talk” phase. I love when they start talking to you and they think they know exactly what they’re talking about but you have no idea and just nod your head…hahaha!
My favorite milestone was crawling. She was much more interactive once she started crawling.
Right now, it’s the first giggles we’ve heard. Loving my babe at 2 months!!!
So hard to pick a favorite. Smiles have been pretty much heart stoppers for me, along with an excited squeal.
Oh my favorite is when they say Mama for the first time! Always a double take….and so precious!!!
Since we are still awaiting the arrival of our little girl we have not had an baby milestones but as far as my pregnancy, feeling her kick and move around is just amazing to me!
These pictures are gorgeous! I have to try the step stool trick next time (tomorrow! marks 9 months for us). I have to say I love the standing and trying to walk stage. It’s so cute! But I’m very much looking forward to those first words! :)
I have a 2.5 month old baby boy, and so far, those first real smiles have been the best! Especially in the morning when he’s all snuggly and happy. He makes it very tough to go to work :)
The first word is my favorite!
The first steps..so cute seeing them wobble about.
I have a six-month-old baby girl, so right now sitting up has been a blast! Her attitude toward her surroundings changed. She is so observant and looks around grabbing for absolutely everything! This has been the most fun milestone, to date. However, the day she finally help her own bottle was the most helpful milestone! This momma sure enjoyed that!
First laugh is always a good one! We love Carters over here too!
Every milestone is so exciting when it happens. Right now, my daughter is learning to crawl and it’s so fun to watch!
My favorite milestone so far was my baby smiling at me! Melted my heart. ❤️
I love it when their personalities start to show
The first true smile :)
What a beautiful post! such a darling family you have.
Either laughing or talking! So fun!
gahh omg she’s so adorable!
fav milestone – real words!! we have an almost-2-yr-old and I love that she can truly communicate now!
My favorite milestone is the first word
Crawling and walking are my favorites
My favorite milestone was smiling and baby giggles!
My favorite milestone was giggling, closely followed by walking! They are both so special!
ALL of them!! If I HAD to pick definitely laughing. My son started laughing every time I laughed and it was my absolute favorite thing.
Favorite latest milestone is that she can sit up on her own after crawling :) ❤️
Smiling and coohing! It’s seriously cuteness overload.
I didn’t expect it but WALKING. My baby girl, who is 10 months old today, started walking at about 8.5 months. It’s so fun to watch her explore and she just seems like a little human. It’s honestly incredible but wayyy less sitting down for me. My kids are definitely my cardio.
LAUGHING. Seriously, who doesn’t like to hear their baby belly laugh for the first time. ????
Sleeping through the night! She was 3 weeks old and it felt like a miracle!! Best part is, she’s kept it up–we were convinced it was a fluke!
My favorite milestone was listening to my daughters heartbeat for the first time! It was a huge milestone in both my pregnancy and my life as a woman.
My little one is 4 weeks old and I love that she is awake more now. I can’t wait for her to be able to recognize us and smile at us.
Our youngest is 2.5 months and is discovering her hands and her voice. I love hearing her “talking” away!
My little girl just learned how to blow bubbles with her mouth and she giggles after! It’s just the sweetest thing [even though there is drool EVERYWHERE!]. We have that onesie set from Carter’s too! Can’t walk out of that store without spending at least $50… With rewards and coupons! HA!
My daughter has recently discovered the photo we put above her crib – it’s the first photo we took as a family in the hospital. Before I come get her in the morning, I hear her babbling and giggling. When I look ok the monitor, she is looking at the photo. It makes my heart so happy that she is enjoying the photo of a moment that is so precious to me. :)
The first baby smile. It melted my heart.
Feeling the baby kick.