One white onesie, one loyal Bills fan in training, and twelve months of love
A Year in the Life of Sammy
Every month, on the 16th, I took Sammy’s portrait. Same onesie. Same bed. Same little white bassinet. One photo in each place, every month, for a full year.
I went into this thinking it would be easy. I’m a photographer, after all. I figured a few quick shots each month would be a simple, meaningful way to mark time. I bought a fresh white onesie about every two months, from newborn through 12 months, to keep everything visually consistent. I kept the styling minimal and the setup the same.
But like most things in parenting, the reality was a little messier. The date would sneak up on me, and I’d be rushing to straighten the sheets, find the wooden number sign, and cross my fingers for good window light. And as he got more mobile, the sessions turned into a workout. What started with a sleepy baby who’d lie sweetly in place turned into a wild little boy who wanted nothing more than to lunge headfirst off the side of the bed.
Still—looking back now, on the eve of his first birthday—it was completely worth it.
The Familiar Face That Grew Before My Eyes
What surprises me most is how unfamiliar his face was at the beginning. In those early photos, I didn’t know what features would stay and which were just part of his baby-ness. Now I look back, and I see him in those images. That thousand yard stare. It was there at two months. His soft “heh,” with a head nod and cheeky smile—they were all there so much earlier than I remember.
That’s part of what makes a monthly milestone series so powerful. You don’t just see the changes—you start to see the through-lines. You begin to understand your child’s expressions. The ones that were always there, even if you didn’t recognize them yet.
It helped, too, that we always included his first stuffed animal, Blizzard—a white bison, fitting for a boy born on 7.16 (Buffalo’s area code, for those in the know), and a sweet nod to my husband’s hometown of Buffalo, where he was born and raised. Including Blizzard in every image gave the series a subtle sense of scale and a lot of heart. As Sammy grew, Blizzard stayed the same.
The Power of Repetition
We kept the styling simple on purpose: white onesie, white bedspread, natural light, and our room in Howard County. No overly cutesy outfits. No themed setups. Just quiet, classic photos that let Sammy’s personality do all the talking.
Occasionally, a toy or book would sneak in—especially if it was relevant to whatever milestone he was hitting at the time. (A velvet pumpkin appeared in October. A Santa hat made its way in near Christmas.) But overall, I kept things neutral and consistent. The result is a gallery that feels calm, cohesive, and emotionally honest.
This Saturday, at his birthday party, we’ll display one photo from each month. Twelve frames. One joyful, wild, unexpectedly fast year.
Want to Try This Yourself? Tips for Monthly Baby Portraits at Home
This kind of project is a commitment—but it’s also deeply rewarding. While I haven’t traditionally offered a full monthly series for clients, I do offer standalone milestone bundles at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 months for families who want to capture growth at regular intervals without the pressure of a monthly shoot. And families who do my Motherhood Collection already have Maternity, Newborn, 6 month and 12 month. Of course, if someone truly wanted to do a full twelve-month version, I’d absolutely be open to helping create it together.
If you’re planning to try it at home, here are a few lessons I learned along the way:
1. Choose a replicable outfit.
We used the same white onesie each month. I repurchased it every few months as he sized up. The consistency keeps the focus on your baby’s face—not the outfit.
2. Keep your backdrop simple.
Our bed and a white duvet worked perfectly. You don’t need a studio—just soft natural light and a neutral space.
3. Include props for scale.
Blizzard the bison and a wooden number placard were in every session. They helped us mark growth and gave Sammy something familiar to interact with.
4. Use natural light when you can.
Mid-morning by the window was best. If it was too dark or overcast, I’d just postpone by a day.
5. Embrace the milestones.
Each month brought something new—tummy time, first teeth, a new toy. Let the photos reflect your baby’s reality. That’s what makes them meaningful.
6. Set a recurring reminder.
You will forget. Just put it on your calendar, and don’t stress if the session is quick or imperfect. The magic is in the full collection, not each individual shot.
Final Thought
At the beginning, Sammy was a stranger to me. Now his face is the most familiar thing in the world.
And that’s the beauty of photographing your baby’s first year. Not with elaborate themes or Pinterest-perfect props—but with patience, repetition, and love. One frame at a time.
Continue with months 6-12…
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