Baby Photographer in New Jersey
Your baby is perfection. Your love is eternal. Your portraits should be timeless.
Our Maplewood portrait studio creates natural baby milestone and first birthday portraits in a calm, beautifully prepared space where busy parents can simply arrive and enjoy the experience. Families from across Northern New Jersey — including South Orange, Short Hills, Summit, and Montclair — come to preserve the fleeting magic of their baby’s first year.
Families searching for a baby photographer in New Jersey often begin with newborn photography in our Maplewood studio and return throughout their baby’s first year for milestone sessions.
Baby Milestone Photography for the First Year
While I absolutely love the newborn stage, some of the most expressive baby portraits happen a few months later, when babies begin interacting with the world around them.
Milestone sessions focus on simple, timeless portraits that highlight your baby’s expressions, curiosity, and connection with you.
When to Schedule Baby Milestone Photos
The most popular ages for baby milestone photography include:
Happy Baby (3–4 months)
A sweet stage when babies are awake, smiling, exploring tummy time, and discovering their toes. These sessions are also a wonderful option for families who prefer portraits a few months after birth instead of traditional newborn photos.
Sitter Stage (6–7 months)
Often called a sitter session, this is when babies can sit independently and their personalities really begin to shine. Those irresistible dimples, rolls, and curious expressions make this one of the most joyful stages to photograph.
First Birthday (12 months)
The moment you can’t believe has arrived. First birthday sessions celebrate turning one with timeless first birthday photos, family portraits, and — if you wish — a simple cake smash moment.
First Birthday & Cake Smash Photography
First birthday sessions are designed to celebrate your baby while keeping the portraits timeless and natural.
Many families choose to include a simple cake smash moment at the end of the session. Rather than elaborate themed sets, the focus remains on your baby — joyful expressions, tiny hands exploring frosting, and the delight of turning one.
Families searching for a cake smash photographer in New Jersey often choose our Maplewood studio for portraits that feel classic and refined while still capturing the fun of this milestone.
Studio Wardrobe & Guided Styling
Our Maplewood studio includes a curated wardrobe of timeless pieces for babies and children, along with flattering dresses for mothers.
Before your session we plan wardrobe, styling, and overall vision together so everything feels cohesive and effortless.
When you arrive, everything is prepared — allowing you to relax and enjoy the experience with your baby.
Investing in Your Baby’s First Year Portraits
Fully custom Signature Sessions begin at $1,490. Petite milestone sessions begin at $850.
Your baby’s first year passes in a beautiful blur — sleepy newborn stretches becoming curious expressions, chubby hands, and joyful laughter. Our Maplewood studio offers two ways to preserve this fleeting season with timeless portraits.
Many families choose a Signature Session, a fully custom portrait experience that allows time for multiple wardrobe looks, parent and sibling portraits, beloved pets, and joyful first birthday celebrations such as a cake smash. These sessions are unhurried and thoughtfully guided so we can create the family portraits you’ve been dreaming of.
For families who prefer a shorter studio visit, Petite Baby Milestone Sessions offer a simple and joyful way to capture one special stage — often around the sitting milestone or first birthday. These sessions include seven fully edited digital images, with the option to add additional favorites after viewing your gallery.
Whether you choose a milestone session or a fully customized Signature Session, the goal is the same — timeless portraits that preserve exactly who your baby is during this beautiful first year.
The Forever Photographer For Families Across New Jersey and NYC
The Maplewood studio welcomes families from South Orange, Short Hills, Summit, Montclair, Chatham, and surrounding areas, as well as New York City.
Many first visit the studio for newborn portraits and continue returning as their children grow for family studio portraits, falling in love with the relaxed studio experience, timeless style, and gully guided portrait process.
If you want authentic, joyous, and soulful portraits of the small people who mean everything to you, beautifully preserved in print, you’ve found your forever baby and family photographer, Nicole Hawkins.
Plan Your Baby’s First Year Portraits
Sessions are limited each month to ensure a personalized experience. Contact us to reserve your date and begin planning your dream baby portraits or first birthday session.
