• Two sisters in ivory dresses holding a large gold number-three balloon between them in a bright white studio
  • Close profile of a one-year-old eating frosting from a hand, with cake on the cheek
  • A three-year-old sitting on a small wooden stool with her arms outstretched, tossing a white balloon into the air
  • A six-month-old lying on a white muslin blanket, laughing with both hands raised
  • A one-year-old in a striped linen romper with a hand at the mouth, photographed in black and white during a studio cake smash session
  • A one-year-old leaning over a small white birthday cake with both hands pressed into the frosting
  • Close portrait of a three-year-old in a blush dress and a rose-gold birthday tiara
  • A one-year-old sitting on the floor beside a small white birthday cake, hands covered in frosting
  • Two sisters standing either side of a wooden stool holding a small birthday cake with a pink number-three topper
  • A one-year-old sitting cross-legged on a small wooden chair in a striped romper, tasting frosting off one finger
  • A six-month-old in a white outfit and bonnet sitting on a white knitted blanket, mouth open in a laugh

CHICAGO MILESTONE PHOTOGRAPHER

Your baby changes so much in those first few years! Sitting up at six months. Standing at a year. Booking a milestone session is the perfect way to document your child’s growth! Many of these babies I first met as their chicago newborn photographer.

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MILESTONE SESSIONS IN CHICAGO AND THE SUBURBS

I photograph milestone, children’s, and cake smash sessions across Chicago, the northwest suburbs and the North Shore — in a local studio or in your own home.

Siblings are welcome! And if you would like the whole family in the frame, see my chicago family photographer sessions.

Six month milestone sessions

One of the two most popular milestones to capture, when baby can sit independently.

First birthday and cake smash sessions

The other, at 1 year — which can include a cake smash.

Who brings the cake?

You do! Bring one from whichever bakery you like. I recommend a white vanilla cake so the frosting doesn’t stain skin or clothing, and 4 to 6 inches is the perfect size.

A one-year-old leaning over a small white birthday cake with both hands pressed into the frosting
Close profile of a one-year-old eating frosting from a hand, with cake on the cheek

WHERE WE PHOTOGRAPH

Although I do not have a studio of my own, I rent studio space in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. I book whichever one is nearest to you! Studio sessions add a $50 studio fee. Your own home works just as well. A Chicago in-home milestone session can be the perfect way to document your growing baby in their nursery. All we need is some good window light!

INVESTMENT

  • Simplicity Session – $600 30 min, 20+ edited images with a print release, wardrobe access, a prep guide, and an online gallery with a print store.
  • Classic Session – $900 60+ edited images with everything above plus 50 4×6 prints in a linen keepsake box.

Both sessions can include a cake smash. Studio sessions add $50. Full session pricing for every service is on the investment page.

When will we get the photos?

Approximately 2 weeks after your session, your gallery will be delivered to you via a private online gallery. A first birthday has a hard date — so if you want an image on the invitations or thank you cards, a 72 hour turnaround is available for a $100 rush fee.

BOOK YOUR SESSION

If you are looking for a Chicago milestone photographer to capture your baby’s first year — six months, first birthday, cake smash — get in touch to begin the experience! You can read what other families have said in my reviews. And if the birthday falls in autumn, the same session doubles as your fall family photos in Chicago.

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MILESTONE PORTFOLIO

A six-month-old on their tummy on a white blanket, pushing up on both arms during a six-month milestone session
Detail of a six-month-old's hand and gold bracelet resting on a knee, in white on a white blanket
A six-month-old propped up on a white blanket in a white top, looking up with an open mouth
A six-month-old in a white outfit and bonnet sitting on a white knitted blanket, mouth open in a laugh
Detail of a six-month-old's bare feet on a white muslin blanket
A six-month-old in a white romper and bonnet sitting on a white blanket, looking away from the camera
A one-year-old in a striped linen romper with a hand at the mouth, photographed in black and white during a studio cake smash session
Close profile of a one-year-old eating frosting from a hand, with cake on the cheek
A one-year-old sitting cross-legged on a small wooden chair in a striped romper, tasting frosting off one finger
A one-year-old leaning over a small white birthday cake with both hands pressed into the frosting
A one-year-old sitting on the floor beside a small white birthday cake, hands covered in frosting
Two sisters resting their heads together in blush party dresses
Two sisters standing either side of a wooden stool holding a small birthday cake with a pink number-three topper
Two young sisters looking out through the opening of a large gold foil number-three balloon during a studio milestone session
Twin sisters hugging on a grey tufted settee beside pots of baby's breath in a daylight studio