Getting Ready for your 6 Month Baby Photographs

The most important step to planning the 6 Month session is when your baby is able to sit up independently. It’s best that the baby is over the wobbly stage, so we don’t risk toppling over during the session. The best portraits come when a baby is able to sit up solidly. Some babies reach this stage closer to seven months, and I always recommend waiting until the milestone has been achieved. 

In our experience, babies who are able to sit up independently for a prolonged time will smile more readily, rather than showing expressions of worry in an effort to stay upright. The best portraits come when a baby is able to sit up solidly. Some babies reach this stage closer to seven months, and I always recommend waiting until the milestone has been achieved. 

6 Month Baby sessions take place on weekdays and select Saturday mornings in my studio in Lynn, MA. Mornings are always best. Here, I have all the props, lighting, supplies and resources necessary to capture amazing portraits for you. In addition, I’ve got plenty of extra wipes and diapers on hand. I set aside 90 minutes for the 6 month session, but often we can be done in under an hour! 

I have recently relocated to a lovely studio in Lynn, MA, easily found along Route 107, just south of the Salem line. Be sure to see the directions page for how to find me.

6 Month babies often have a short window of energy, so I work quickly. I set aside 90 minutes, but usually, the session is completed in under an hour. If you have been to the studio for a newborn session, this milestone will go by so much faster. 

The 6 Month portrait session is half naked, half clothed. We capture a series of bare-bottomed images, and then move onto the outfits and clothing you bring along. Shoes are totally unnecessary for a sitting baby since the bare feet are much cuter than shoes. Classic and timeless are best styles are best choices, opting for solid colors and simple patterns, avoiding big designs or logos. Feel free to bring more than you need, and I can help you choose. 

If you have a special handmade blanket, that would be great to bring with you to add to the portraits of your baby. Or you may bring a special stuffed plush toy that you would like to incorporate into a portrait. Simple is best. Bring a binkie or pacifier (if the baby uses one), extra diapers, extra supplies for feedings (if you are not breast feeding). You can pack a snack for yourself, or pick up a a bite to eat down the hall at the Uncommon Feasts cafe (if you’ve forgotten to eat before you come!).

For girls, bring a few dresses as well as casual clothes. It's best to choose dresses that flair out at the bottom, so that the dress does not hike up when the baby is seated. Casual clothes like jeans and pullover shirts are great. Shoes are not necessary, as we want to see her toes! I have some tutus and pearls at the studio, as well, which look great on little girls!

For boys, bring some classic clothes as well as casual clothes. A classic button down oxford shirt is adorable on little boys. Casual clothes like jeans or shorts with pullover jersey shirts are great. Shoes are not necessary, as we want to see his toes! I have some bow ties and hats at the studio, as well, which look great on little boys! For sports fans, I have baseball and football props on hand. 

Yes, of course. Making the session more personal with your own items is always welcome. For this stage, the best kind of items are classic timeless items, such as handmade receiving blankets, special stuffed animal toys, or perhaps a hat or headband. I will do my best to incorporate the personal items you bring into the portraits. 

One of the best ideas is to choose a special stuffed plush toy that can be used in portraits over time, to illustrate the rapid growth of your baby in his or her first year. The best example is this little girl, who completed the full baby plan year and each visit, the parents brought with them this tiny stuffed animal penguin named Pudge. Read the story of this little girl and her toy Pudge on my blog.

At the studio, I keep on hand a selection of simple baskets, buckets, wraps, headbands, bow ties, tutus, textured floor mats, and soft snuggly clean plush toys. 

We welcome you and your loved ones and any caretakers assisting you to attend the portrait session. While we focus most of the attention on the baby, a parent or an older sibling is welcome to jump in for a few portraits. It's completely optional, and not all parents at this stage are feeling camera-ready and are happy to have us capture the little one alone, or with an older sibling, and do a family portrait at the end of the year.  

While we focus most of the attention on the baby, a parent is welcome to jump in for a few portraits, if you choose. It's completely optional, and most parents at this stage are not feeling camera-ready and are happy to have us capture the little one alone, and do a family portrait at the end of the year! 

For the portraits of parents with a 6 Month baby, I have found that wearing simple solid colors in lighter tones is best. Soft colors work well, as you will want the baby to be the attention, rather than a vibrantly-colored top. I most enjoy capturing 6 Month babies close up, with a parent cheek to cheek, or in their arms. 

The 6 Month session will mostly focus on the baby, but I welcome some portraits of the baby with an older sibling at this milestone. If an older sibling participates in the session, it is best to dress them in soft colors… pastels, creams, light blues, etc. 

Approximately one week following your session, we invite you into the studio to review all of your images, assist you in making your selections and to place your order. We recommend that all of the decision makers are present at the time of the ordering appointment. I’m happy to accommodate you in the early evening for these appointments as well.

While I may photograph dozens of captures in a given session, however not all are keepers. I’ll capture as many images as necessary in order to present you with a strong body of images. Typically, I’ll present you with the best 25-35 images in order to simplify your selection process.

A baby portrait session in the studio is $200. However, most clients take advantage of the Baby Plan special ($200), and enroll in the year long plan to get three sessions for the price of one. Included in your initial investment is Bobbie’s time and talent during the session and a personalized follow up consultation to assist you in making your portrait order selections. The session does not include portraits.  

It’s entirely up to you how much you decide to invest in from your session, choosing from our gift portraits, framed wall art pieces, canvas wraps or custom hardcover books & albums. We offer personal, gift & desk sized portraits which range from $65 to $195. Our signature hand-finished wall art pieces range from $325 all the way up to life-size. In general, most clients spend in the range of $900-1500 or more per session. Most clients enrolled in the Baby Plan choose from our packages that span all three sessions, which start at $1995. 

We understand that personal emergencies, illness or inclement weather sometimes require sessions to be rescheduled. We kindly ask that you provide as much notice as possible in order to make the time available to other clients.

Generally speaking, we prefer that you refrain from any picture-taking during your session…. after all, we take the time and care to set everything up for that perfect portrait using our special props and years of experience! However, that being said, we understand that social media is a big part of our lives and if an opportunity were to arise where you were able to capture a fun behind-the-scenes shot, we are all for that. And if you do, we’d LOVE it if you tagged us in the post!

No worries — we see this all the time. Every portrait you select as part of your order will be individually enhanced for lovely skin tones. We will smooth and soften blemishes or boo-boos or dry skin (and drool, too!) so not to worry!

Of course! In fact, we encourage you to come visit the studio in advance of your session, to preplan your session and to get to know us. This is such an exciting time for you and we invite you to see our work and discuss your wishes for a successful baby portraits. We recommend that you schedule a specific date and time with us so that we are able to give you our fullest attention.

We’ve created a simple booklet to assist with a checklist of what to bring and sample images of what to expect. Be sure to download our 6 Month Getting Ready Guide.