Studio MINI Session FAQ
Expecting parents often plan newborn photos, but your baby’s first year also brings incredible milestones worth documenting. Below are answers to common questions about milestone Studio MINI sessions.
As a Lansing baby photographer, I photograph milestone sessions for families in Lansing, East Lansing, Okemos, DeWitt, and throughout Mid-Michigan in my Laingsburg home studio.
What ages are best for Studio MINI milestone sessions?
The most common milestone sessions are 6 months (when babies are often sitting and full of personality) and 12 months for a first birthday.
However, milestone sessions can be scheduled anytime between 3–12 months at my home studio.
Children older than one year are usually better suited for sessions at The Lansing Studio, which offers more space and variety for toddlers.
You can view information about those sessions here:
View Lansing Studio Session Details →
Why are milestone sessions held at your home studio?
My home studio is designed specifically for babies under one year old. Because the space is small, it works best for younger babies who are not yet running around.
For toddlers and older children, The Lansing Studio provides more room to move and more setup variety.
What props or setups do you provide?
I keep the styling simple and timeless. I provide items such as:
• Chairs
• Bowls
• Coordinating layers and textures
You are also welcome to bring something your baby loves, such as a favorite blanket, toy, or book, which can be a fun way to remember this stage.
Do you provide outfits?
No, I do not provide clothing for milestone sessions.
Once your session is booked, I’ll send guidance on clothing options, and I love when parents send photos of outfits ahead of time so I can coordinate props and layers.
Can family members be included?
The focus of Studio MINI sessions is your baby.
If you would like family images, you can add one family pose or one sibling pose, or consider booking a family session instead.
Who should attend the session?
Because my studio space is small, I ask families to limit the number of people attending.
This helps with:
• Germ exposure
• Space in the studio
• Keeping baby focused
It can actually become distracting when multiple people are trying to get baby to smile or look at the camera.
Why do parents stay close during the session?
For safety and comfort, I have parents stay very close to baby during the session. This also helps babies who may experience stranger danger, which is very common around this age.
Can we bring snacks or treats to help baby cooperate?
It’s best to save treats for after the session. Food during photos often leads to chewing faces or drool, which can affect the final images.
How should we prepare baby before the session?
A few small details help your photos look their best:
• Make sure baby’s face is clean and free of drool or runny noses
• Trim nails if needed
• Bring a familiar toy if baby is shy
These little preparations help ensure smooth and natural photos.
What if my child has a scrape, bump, or bruise?
If your child has a noticeable scrape, bump, or bruise and you’re unsure about photographing it, feel free to send me a photo ahead of time and I can help you decide whether we should proceed or reschedule.
What if my child gets sick before the session?
If your child becomes ill, we will reschedule your session.
Nobody enjoys photos when they’re sick, and I also want to avoid the risk of spreading illness since I often photograph newborns the same or following day.
Do you offer outdoor milestone sessions?
At this time I do not offer outdoor photography. All Studio MINI milestone sessions take place indoors.
Do you offer cake smash sessions?
Yes! If you choose a cake smash add-on, I provide the cake and coordinating backdrop.
You can select a backdrop when booking, or send inspiration photos and I’m happy to help coordinate a look for your session.
How far in advance should I book?
My calendar is typically open at least six months in advance, and sessions do fill up.
If you have a specific milestone in mind—especially 6 months or first birthday—I recommend booking early to secure your preferred timeframe.