From Bump to Birthday: How to Plan a Year of Baby Photos in Hertfordshire

That first year with your baby passes in a way that’s hard to explain until you’re living it. One moment you’re feeling those first flutters and wondering what life will look like, and the next you’re planning a first birthday. Somewhere in between, your baby changes more than you ever thought possible.

Planning a year of photos, from bump to birthday, is a beautiful way to slow things down just enough to remember it all. Each session captures a different chapter, and together they tell the story of your baby’s very first year.

At Megan Foster Photography, a baby photographer in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, I offer a guided, seamless approach to documenting your baby’s first year – from your maternity photography session right through to their first birthday cake smash. Each session is thoughtfully planned, beautifully styled, and designed to feel completely stress-free.

Ready to start planning?

Why documenting the first year matters

The first year is filled with milestones, but it’s also full of quieter moments that often slip by unnoticed. The natural way your hands settle on your bump. The curl of your newborn against your chest. The first real belly laughs and the wobbly sitting stage.

Photographs give these moments a place to live beyond memory. When you look back, you’re not just seeing how your baby looked — you’re remembering how that stage felt. Documenting the first year creates a visual story that grows in meaning as time passes.

Maternity session timing

Maternity sessions are usually best planned between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. At this stage, your bump is beautifully round, and most mums are still feeling comfortable enough to enjoy the experience.

This session is about celebrating the anticipation and connection before your baby arrives. It’s a moment to pause, breathe, and mark the beginning of your story together. Planning your maternity session early also helps create a gentle rhythm for the year ahead.

What to expect from your maternity photography session in Hatfield:

Sessions take place in my calm, natural-light studio in Hatfield, Hertfordshire.
Professional hair, makeup and wardrobe guidance is included as part of your experience.
Soft, elegant portraits celebrating your bump and the anticipation of meeting your baby.
Book your session between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy for the best results.

Find out more about maternity photography in Hertfordshire.

Newborn session timing

Newborn sessions are ideally photographed within the first two weeks after birth. During this time, babies are still very sleepy and naturally curled, making it perfect for those soft, peaceful images.

These sessions focus on the tiny details that change so quickly – fingers, toes, eyelashes, and that newborn stretch. Planning your newborn session while you’re still pregnant means one less thing to think about once your baby arrives, and it ensures those early days are captured calmly and beautifully.

What to expect from your newborn photography session in Hertfordshire:

Soft, peaceful portraits capturing tiny fingers, toes, and that precious newborn curl.
Your baby’s comfort is always the priority – sessions are calm, unhurried and completely baby-led.
Book your newborn session before your baby arrives to secure your date within the first two weeks of birth.

Book in advance to secure your date – newborn photographer in Hertfordshire.

Sitter and milestone sessions

As your baby grows, sitter and milestone sessions capture the in-between moments that are just as important. This stage is often photographed around six to eight months, when babies can sit independently but aren’t yet on the move.

This is when personalities really begin to shine. Big smiles, curious expressions, and lots of interaction make these sessions lively and full of joy. These images often show a side of your baby that feels completely new compared to those early newborn days.

What to expect from your baby milestone photography session:

Captured around six to eight months, when your baby can sit independently and their personality really begins to shine.
Expect big smiles, curious expressions, and those gorgeous chubby legs.
A beautiful contrast to your newborn images, showing just how much has changed in such a short time.

Book your baby’s milestone session today and secure your date at our Hatfield, Hertfordshire, studio.

First birthday and cake smash photography

The first birthday marks the end of an incredible year. Cake smash sessions are a fun, relaxed way to celebrate this milestone while capturing your baby exactly as they are at this stage.

Whether your baby dives straight into the cake or cautiously explores it, these sessions are about personality rather than perfection. They bring the story full circle — from anticipation to celebration — and create images that parents treasure long after the candles are blown out.

What to expect from your cake smash photography session:

Fun, relaxed and completely led by your baby’s personality.
Themed or simple – we plan the session together to suit your vision.
The perfect celebration of an incredible first year.

Creating a full story of your baby’s first year

When these sessions are viewed together, they create something truly special. A complete story of your baby’s first year, told gently and honestly.

From bump to birthday, each stage has its own beauty. Planning a year of photos allows you to capture it all without rushing, preserving memories that you’ll return to again and again.

At the end of your final session, your images come together into a complete visual story – one that can be beautifully preserved in a heirloom album, displayed as wall art in your home, or presented as fine art prints to be treasured for generations. These are not just photographs. They are the chapters of your family’s story, made tangible.

Start planning your baby’s first year in Hertfordshire

Families across Hertfordshire, Hatfield, St. Albans, Welwyn Garden City, Barnet, Watford, and North London trust Megan Foster Photography to capture every precious milestone of their baby’s first year.

Whether you are just beginning to plan your maternity photography or are already expecting and want to secure your newborn photographer in Hertfordshire, I would love to hear from you.