The Magic of 1st Year Milestones | Twin Cities Baby Photographer

Out of all the beautiful sessions I get to photograph here in the Twin Cities, milestone sessions, especially that magical 6-to-12-month window, light me up every single time. As a Minneapolis baby milestone photographer, I get to see this sweet stage of babyhood unfold over and over again, and it never loses its charm.

There’s just something about this age that feels perfectly sweet, fleeting, wobbly, and wonderful all at once. Personalities bloom, cheeks get even chubbier (how is that possible?), and every expression looks like it belongs on a greeting card.

This season is…the epitome of babyhood.
And it goes by way too fast.

The Sitting Stage: The Sweet Spot of Baby Milestone Photography

There is no milestone I adore more than the moment a baby learns to sit. Suddenly the whole world is upright and you can see it in their eyes. Pride, surprise, triumph, and a little “Hey, look what I can do” energy radiate from them. If you’re curious when babies typically reach sitting and standing milestones, the CDC offers a helpful overview of common developmental stages.

From a photographer’s perspective, this stage is absolute perfection for a milestone session in the Twin Cities:

Babies are expressive
They’re curious
They can’t crawl away yet (a small but mighty win)
Their personalities shine in every frame

This is the age where simple, neutral studio portraits feel extra magical. No props needed. No distractions. Just that adorable sitting baby, their wobbly posture, their tiny hands resting on their thighs, and that “I’m a big deal now” grin.

The mQn Experience

Standing Babies: The Mini-Achievers of the Twin Cities

A few months later, babies enter my favorite photographic subplot: the standing era. They pull up, hold onto a supportive finger, and proudly show off their new skills like they’re training for their debut on center stage.

This is such a fun phase to capture during milestone photography sessions because:

Babies are SO proud of themselves
Their expressions are priceless
This moment passes in a blink

It’s that tiny in-between chapter before walking — full of confidence, excitement, and a whole lot of adorable wobbling.

The One-Year Milestone: A Big Finish to Babyhood

By the time a baby reaches their one-year milestone session, they’re often convinced they are the funniest person in the Twin Cities. Spoiler: they usually are.

This age is a blend of:

Baby sweetness
Toddler independence
Endless giggles
Clapping, babbling, and celebrating EVERYTHING

It’s a beautiful moment in family life — the chapter where parents look back and think, “How did we get here already?”

Capturing this in a simple, timeless studio setting allows the emotion of the year, the fullness, the joy, the exhaustion, the love, to shine through in every image.

Why Milestone Sessions Fit My Classic, Elevated Style

My photography style leans into minimalism and softness, clean backgrounds, gentle light, and an heirloom feel. Milestone photography for Twin Cities families is made for this style. Babies this age bring all the expression, charm, and personality I could ever want in a portrait.

In these sessions, their natural curiosity and joy become the artwork.

Parents love this age because they can see who their baby is becoming, the spark, the mischief, the sweetness. And photographing those authentic expressions during milestone sessions is something I never take for granted.

This stage is short, meaningful, and incredibly special.

About mQn Photography

If This Stage Fills Your Heart Too…

I’d love to photograph your baby’s milestone season the once-in-a-lifetime sitting, standing, and one-year portraits that define this fleeting chapter.

My 2026 milestone session calendar is now open.
Reach out anytime to reserve your spot for your Twin Cities baby milestone session.

Michele is a Minneapolis-based family photographer with more than 15 years of experience capturing the beauty and emotion of a baby’s first year. Known for her clean, timeless style and her warm, welcoming studio in Northeast Minneapolis, she has become a favorite among Twin Cities families seeking refined milestone photography that feels both heartfelt and effortlessly classic.

Her specialty? The 6–12 month stage — the sweet spot of babyhood where personalities bloom, expressions multiply, and the magic of sitting, standing, and celebrating that first year unfolds. Michele has a remarkable talent for documenting these fleeting chapters with simplicity and intention, creating portraits that feel as meaningful as the moment itself.

Families trust her not only for her artistry, but for the calm, easy experience she brings to every session. Babies adore her, parents feel at ease, and the result is a collection of images that beautifully honor this tiny window of childhood.

When she isn’t in the studio, Michele can be found editing with a latte nearby, brainstorming new ways to support her clients, or chasing good light anywhere in the Twin Cities.

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