There is something incredibly powerful about black and white photography.

Without color, the focus shifts to what really matters — expression, emotion, and connection.

This session was created to celebrate childhood exactly as it is: honest, expressive, and full of quiet magic. No distractions. No forced smiles. Just presence.

As a child photographer in Madison, WI, I believe these ages deserve to be documented just as intentionally as newborn days. Because childhood moves just as fast.

Why Black & White Portraits Feel So Timeless

Black and white portraits remove trends, color distractions, and seasonal styling — leaving behind what truly lasts.

They highlight:

• Emotion

• Personality

• Expression

• Story

These images feel just as meaningful decades from now as they do today.

If you’re searching for timeless child portraits in Madison or Sun Prairie, this style is perfect for families who want emotion over perfection.

A Calm, Connection-Focused Experience

My child portrait sessions are not about stiff posing or forced smiles.

They are about:

• Letting kids be themselves

• Creating space for expression

• Encouraging movement

• Capturing in-between moments

The result? Images that feel real.

Who These Sessions Are Perfect For

Child portrait sessions are ideal for:

• Ages 1–12

• Milestone years

• Birthday portraits

• Heirloom wall art

• Sibling portraits

They’re especially meaningful for parents who want to remember how their child felt — not just how they looked.

Serving Madison & Surrounding Areas

I proudly serve families in:

• Madison, WI

• Sun Prairie, WI

• Rio, WI

• Columbus, WI

• Dane County

Booking Child Portraits in Madison, WI

Childhood is fleeting. These portraits preserve it.

✨ Now booking child portrait sessions ✨

📍 Madison & Sun Prairie, WI

Book Here

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.

Most Popular Milestones to Document

4 Months
• Big smiles
• Tummy-time push-ups
• Bright, curious eyes

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

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.

Ready to Capture This Adorable Chapter?

Let’s document your baby exactly as they are right now.
🤍 Inquire about milestone sessions

There’s nothing sweeter than celebrating your little one’s very first birthday with a milestone session and cake smash! This gallery featuring baby Fritz captures all the charm, personality, and pure joy of turning one. From classic portraits to messy, laughter-filled cake moments, it’s the perfect way to document this once-in-a-lifetime milestone.

Classic Baby Milestone Portraits

Before the cake came out, we started with timeless milestone photos. Fritz wore the sweetest green gingham romper with delicate piping details, paired with classic white shoes. The soft pastel backdrops gave a clean, airy feel while letting his big expressions shine through. These milestone portraits are perfect for parents looking to remember their baby’s gentle, curious stage before toddlerhood takes over.

For milestone sessions, I keep the focus on your little one—minimal props, beautiful light, and heirloom styling that never goes out of fashion.

A Colorful Cake Smash Celebration

Once the milestone portraits were complete, it was time to celebrate! Fritz changed into a playful chambray romper with rainbow buttons and wore a custom felt birthday crown with his name stitched in bold colors. The bright pops of red, blue, and yellow brought so much fun energy into the session.

His cake was decorated with whimsical brush-stroke details and colorful button accents—just right for curious little fingers to dive into. And dive in he did! Fritz smashed, tasted, squished, and laughed his way through every bite. From cake-covered smiles to frosting-filled fists, the photos capture everything we love about first birthdays.

Why Book a Cake Smash & Milestone Session?

Your baby only turns one once, and photos like these become treasured family heirlooms. A first birthday session is more than just fun—it’s a chance to pause, celebrate, and preserve the joy of this milestone year forever.

At Finch & Mae Photography, I specialize in milestone and cake smash photography in the Madison and Sun Prairie, WI areas. Sessions are fully styled to fit your family’s personality while keeping the focus on your baby’s unique expressions and story.

All cake smashes are without themes and balloon arches. Why? Over the last few years of working cake smash sessions, I have found that the focus tends to leave baby and it starts to concentrate more on the themes. By having sessions simple and classic, it truly focuses specifically on baby and their exciting milestone of turning one.

Book Your Baby’s First Birthday Session

If your little one is about to turn one, now is the perfect time to plan their milestone and cake smash session. Sessions are best scheduled a few weeks before their birthday so you can have your images ready to display at their party or print for keepsakes.

✨ Ready to celebrate your baby’s first year in the sweetest way? Contact me today to reserve your session!