MILESTONE SESSION PREP GUIDE
You will never regret capturing these moments - the ones before they get a little bit bigger, or when that first year approaches the end. It's all fleeting, but it's so special.
This page is a hub for all of the details, tips and inspiration in prep for your experience with Next Chapter Studio.
Thank you for letting me be a small part in this beautiful chapter for you.
THIS CHAPTER, DOCUMENTED.
Booking your session
For birthday sessions, I recommend booking your session around 2-3 weeks before your child's birthday. My turnaround time is 7-10 days, so that will ensure you will receive your gallery back in time before your child's birthday/milestone.
Styling
1. Coordinate, don't match
Choose a coordinating palette and dress everyone in shades of the palette.
2. Neutral & muted colors
Whites, creams, tans, browns and pastels photograph beautifully. Say no to neon and logos!
3. Milestone baby/child: 1-2 outfits
We can do one outfit for them for family photos and another outfit for portraits/cake smash.
4. Moms: Flowy and flattering
Choose outfits that flow with movement.. Dresses are ideal for this because they’re comfortable and create that soft, feminine look. Sets are a great option as well.
5. Dads: Simple and coordinated
Dads just need to be clean, comfortable and coordinated. For dads, I recommend neutral button-downs, henleys and knit sweaters. Pair tops like these with jeans or khakis!.
What your little one wears truly matters when it comes to a milestone session. The goal is for everyone to feel comfortable and look cohesive. We’ll talk ahead of time to make sure your whole family feels confident and relaxed.
Client Closet
Tips
If children are joining the session, choose soft fabrics in complementary tones. Try linen rompers, textured knits or neutral basics.
Click here to see a Pinterest board with outfit inspo.
Tips for Siblings
color palette
EASY TO COORDINATE
Think about it: You are trying to color coordinate outfits for you and your family. It is so much trickier to match color hues than it is to match neutrals and one pop of color.
TIMELESS & FLATTERING
Even when trends change, neutrals will always be in style. You want to look at your photographs and see the connections, not the distracting clothing.
DISPLAYING THE PHOTOGRAPHS
No matter what your home decor is or what color the nursery is, neutral tones in your photographs will always be perfect to display - they will go with everything!
Why neutrals?
Find styling and outfit inspiration on Next Chapter's Pinterest board here:
Find pieces hand picked by Ty on Next Chapter's Amazon storefront here:
Recommended places to shop: Caden Lane, Target, Old Navy for the babies
Worth Collective, Baltic Born, Amazon, Pink Blush for the mamas
Day of your session
- Your outfits
- Shoes (If it's a studio session, please pack the shoes for the session in a separate bag to change into)
- Cake, if you're booking a cake smash
- Any decor you'd like in the cake smash photos: linen name banner, candles, stuffed animals
- Any sentimental items you’d like included - monogrammed outfits/bibs, birthday cake topper, personalized cake plate
If older siblings are joining, you can bring a crumb-free & stain-free snack + water and a few small toys or books for breaks.
What to bring:
First birthday sessions are typically up to an hour, which allows for plenty of time for individual portraits of your little one, updated family portraits and the fun part - cake!
Family Portraits:
We start with updated family portraits. Many families choose for their little ones to wear a different/family-coordinating outfit for family portraits.
Individual Portraits:
Individual shots can include a mix of candids and portraits, focused on capturing baby’s personality.
Cake Smash/Birthday Setup:
We can do a cake smash, donut tower, a banner setup with props - whatever you'd like to do at the end to celebrate.
The flow of the day:
Find milestone session inspiration on Next Chapter's Pinterest board here:
frequently
asked
QUESTIONS
WHAT DOES A SESSION INCLUDE?
Each session includes a questionnaire, full access to the Client Closet + this prep guide with styling tips and a professional online gallery of your digital images.
WHERE IS YOUR STUDIO?
It is located in Hudson Falls, NY. The studios are over 1,500 square feet - with multiple rooms, furniture and setup options, 12 foot ceilings and backdrops.
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY IMAGES?
Your entire gallery will be delivered to you within 7-10 days of your session through an online gallery. There, you can favorite, download and share any images.
CAN YOU HELP ME WITH STYLING?
Absolutely! I would love to. During the planning process, we can chat about outfits, look at some inspiration for ideas and take a look at the Client Closet.
introducing the
location list
not sure where to have your session?
check it out
Finding a location for your session can sometimes be tricky. So, I created a Location List to make it a bit easier. Now that we are planning your session, we can take a look at this list if you are unsure of where we should go. This list includes spots in various towns, with photo examples and helpful info.
Instagrammin'
Head on over and follow me on Instagram for a look at sessions, styling & everything in between.
