Hi! I’m Alysha, of Alysha Sanford Photography. I’m based in Roseburg, Oregon and have a studio in Oakland, Oregon. I’ve been photographing babies as they grow since 2009. One of my absolute favorite ways to document their quickly changing little selves is to either repeat a specific pose, a specific location/backdrop, or reuse a favorite item/prop during every session!
I want to share more about the benefits of planning ahead for this, and how to choose the repeatable item, location/backdrop or pose.
1. Selecting a prop or special item to repeat:
This is one of the best ways to show a baby growing, because the item retains it’s size! If you need help choosing the item, think through any sentimental items that you might already have in your home.
Is there a special family heirloom that you’ve had passed down through generations? One of my clients brought in an heirloom saddle from her late grandpa to have photographed with each of her three newborns.
Did you receive a sweet gift for baby, handmade or not? The images above showcase a special little lamb. Mama wanted it included in her first-born’s newborn and 1 year session, and we are now repeating it in her second-born’s photo sessions to match!
I’ve also often used a specific prop from my own collection during each session to show baby growing. Wooden crates and baskets are great for this! Babies can be curled up inside as a newborn, then propped up/sitting inside of it at the next session, and then climbing or sitting in/on top of it as they celebrate their first birthday!
2. Repeating a location or backdrop:
Do you have a favorite place to spend time as a family, or a favorite activity? Is there a location that has been in the family for a while, or a location that holds a special memory?
The K family and I have fallen into a tradition of photographing their family in the Discovery Garden at River Forks Park in Roseburg, Oregon during each of their babies’ first year of life. As you can see above, we not only repeated the location, but also the same wooden crate.
Believe it or not, we are due for another session there shortly, as they recently had a sweet set of twins! I cannot wait to continue the series!
3. Showing baby’s growth through the same pose:
Meet my sweet girl! She was photographed by our friend Erin of Audiss Photo Co. as a newborn, and I fell in love with the pose in that first photo. As I photographed her myself at the 3mo, 6mo, 9mo and 12mo milestones, I chose a couple of poses to repeat from her newborn session, and used the same backdrop (in my studio). I am SO grateful that we did this. It’s bittersweet to see the rapid growth and changes during the first year. But this is part of why I do what I do! To help other families pause and document life before it hurdles you forward into the next milestone and season of life!