Your Wisconsin Maternity, Newborn and Baby Milestone Photographer
I'm Becky
welcome to the journal
Your Baby’s First Year Goes By Fast — These Photos Help You Remember Every Stage
Your baby grows more in their first year than any other time in their life. The changes feel huge — new expressions, new abilities, new little quirks that make their personality shine.
Milestone sessions with Finch & Mae Photography help you slow down and capture each chapter in a way that feels soft, sentimental, and truly timeless.
6–7 Months (Sitter Session) • Sitting independently • Giggly, expressive faces • Sweet chubby thighs and arm rolls
9 Months • Crawling, standing with help • Playful personality • Constant movement (but so fun!)
12 Months (First Birthday + Cake Smash) • Baby’s final “baby” stage • Walking, clapping, waving • Minimal cake smash celebration in the studio
A Simple, Stress-Free Studio Experience
My Rio, WI studio is fully designed for babies and families — warm, cozy, and minimal so the focus stays on your child. Parents don’t need to bring anything; I have wardrobe, blankets, wooden toys, and everything needed for a cohesive gallery.
Perfect for Baby Plan Families
Milestones are included throughout the Finch & Mae Baby Plan, which covers your baby’s entire first year with flexible sessions and beautiful heirloom products.
Let’s Document Every Chapter of Their First Year
If you’re in Madison, Sun Prairie, Rio, or surrounding Wisconsin areas, I’d love to help you capture your baby’s story. 💛 Reach out here
Your Wisconsin Maternity, Newborn and Baby Milestone Photographer
I'm Becky
welcome to the journal
The Sweetest Stage You Never Want to Miss
Around 6–8 months, babies hit one of the most adorable milestones — the sitter stage. They’re full of personality, with chunky rolls, gummy smiles, wide-eyed curiosity, and those sweet little expressions that change overnight.
This age is magical because your baby can sit independently, but they’re not quite crawling away yet… which makes for perfect portraits.
Why Sitter Sessions Matter
6-month sessions document your baby’s: • Soft smiles and big belly laughs • Tiny fingers exploring new textures • Wobbly, proud sitting • Sweet eye contact with mom and dad • Chubby baby rolls you’ll want to remember forever
These portraits become the heart of Baby Plan albums and make beautiful wall art for your home.
Where Sitter Sessions Take Place
All milestone sessions are held in my Rio, WI studio, designed with soft light, calming colors, and minimal setups. It’s intentionally styled to create images that feel clean, elevated, and truly timeless.
What to Wear
The studio wardrobe includes cozy knits, neutral rompers, bloomers, and organic textures — all perfectly Finch & Mae. Everything is soft, breathable, and photograph beautifully against the minimal studio backdrop.
When to Book
Book once your baby is almost sitting independently. Most parents schedule between 5–7 months to ensure they don’t miss this short, sweet window.
Your Wisconsin Maternity, Newborn and Baby Milestone Photographer
I'm Becky
welcome to the journal
Your baby’s first year is full of incredible changes — not just in how they look, but who they are. From sleepy newborn stretches to sitting, crawling, belly laughs, and early steps… it’s a year that flies by.
Many parents want to document these changes but aren’t sure which ages are best for milestone photos.
As a Wisconsin baby photographer specializing in soft, neutral, emotional imagery, I created this guide to help you understand what each stage offers — and why each is uniquely beautiful.
If you’re wondering, What ages should I photograph my baby? or Which milestone sessions are the most important?
This post will give you all the insight you need.
Let’s take a gentle, month-by-month look at your baby’s first year.
⭐️ Newborn (0–2 Weeks) — The Fresh & Fleeting First Moments
Why this stage matters:
The newborn stage is soft, sleepy, warm, and incredibly fleeting. Babies this age curl naturally, enjoy swaddles, and settle beautifully into arms.
Babies can’t crawl away yet — which means happy, joyful, still images.
This is the #1 milestone session I recommend if you choose only one.
⭐️ Nine- to Ten-Month Session — The “Explorer” Stage
What makes this stage special:
Your baby is more mobile, expressive, and interactive.
What we capture:
✔ crawling ✔ pulling up ✔ curiosity ✔ little personality quirks ✔ laughter ✔ movement
This session is beautiful in studio or outdoors, depending on weather.
⭐️ One Year Session — A Big, Beautiful Celebration
Whether you choose a simple studio session or a cake smash, one-year photos are emotional, sweet, and full of meaning.
What’s included:
✔ standing ✔ clapping ✔ soft smiles ✔ curiosity ✔ cake smash or neutral setup ✔ family images if requested
Why this matters:
It’s a celebration of everything your baby accomplished in year one — one of the most sentimental moments to document.
⭐️ Which Ages Should You Prioritize?
If you want the core set, choose:
Newborn
Sitter (6–7 months)
One Year
If you want a full story, add these:
3–4 Month Milestone
9–10 Month Milestone
If you want everything, join the Baby Plan to document every stage seamlessly, beautifully, and affordably.
⭐️ Why Choose Finch & Mae for Milestones?
My milestone sessions are: ✨ baby-led ✨ soft and neutral ✨ timeless ✨ focused on personality and emotional connection ✨ styled simply with textures, not props
Your baby is the focus — not busy backgrounds or themes.
Your Wisconsin Maternity, Newborn and Baby Milestone Photographer
I'm Becky
welcome to the journal
A Minimal, Timeless Way to Celebrate Turning One
Your baby’s first birthday is such a magical milestone — that sweet mix of “How did time go so fast?” and “Look how much they’ve grown.” A cake smash session at Finch & Mae Photography is the perfect way to slow down, celebrate this chapter, and create heirloom images that feel clean, classic, and baby-focused.
I keep every cake smash session simple, neutral, and timeless. No loud themes, no distracting props — just your little one, soft studio lighting, and a beautifully minimal setup that feels perfectly Finch & Mae.
What Makes Finch & Mae Cake Smash Sessions Special
✔ Clean + minimal styling so your baby is the focus ✔ Coordinated neutrals from the studio wardrobe ✔ Access to my Rio, WI studio (a quick drive from Madison & Sun Prairie) ✔ Optional milestone add-on portraits before the cake ✔ Light, airy, and cohesive editing that matches your baby’s first-year gallery ✔ A seamless, stress-free experience for busy parents
When to Schedule Your First Birthday Session
Most families book at:
11 months (to have photos back for birthday invitations or a party)
12–13 months for a true first-birthday celebration Booking 6–8 weeks in advance ensures preferred dates, especially weekends and evenings.
What to Wear for a Cake Smash
Clients love using my studio wardrobe — soft creams, simple rompers, and organic textures that photograph beautifully. Barefoot, timeless, and sweet.
What You Get After Your Session
You’ll receive a curated proofing gallery with a minimum of 10+ images, with the option to choose your favorites or upgrade to the full gallery.
Ready to Celebrate Your Baby’s First Birthday?
Let’s create something beautiful together. 📸 Book your Madison cake smash session here ✨ Serving Madison, Sun Prairie, Rio, McFarland, Columbus & surrounding Wisconsin areas.
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