How to Take the Sweetest Milestone Photos at Home (no fancy photographer required) ♡

Hi mamas! Anne here from Gabby Lou Baby. If you’re anything like me, you blink and your tiny squish is suddenly sitting up, smiling, or turning ONE. These monthly milestone photos are my absolute favorite way to freeze time — and the good news? You don’t need a professional to make them look straight-out-of-Pinterest adorable.

Here’s my exact recipe for sweet, timeless photos using just your phone and whatever sunshine is pouring through your windows.

1. Pick the Perfect Outfit (my favorite part!)

I’m obviously biased, but a smocked or flutter-sleeve dress makes every photo 100× sweeter. Neutral or soft pastel outfits photograph like a dream and let baby’s face steal the show.

Pro tip: Stick a bow on with a tiny piece of double-sided fashion tape if she’s a bow-flinger like mine!

2. Keep the Background Clean & Simple

My go-to spots in our house:

- White crib sheet draped over a chair 

- Cream quilt on the floor in front of a sunny window 

- Plain wall with soft natural light 

Less is more. You want to see those chubby thighs and gummy grins, not a busy background.

3. The Magic Light

Film between 8–11 a.m. or 3–6 p.m. when the light is golden and soft. Turn OFF overhead lights (they make everyone look orange). Face baby toward the window, never shoot with the window behind them.

4. The Monthly Number Trick

I use:

- A wooden milestone disc (Etsy has a million cute ones) 

- Or our felt “one”, “two”, etc. banners — I just lay it beside her 

- Sometimes I write the number in chalk on a tiny chalkboard for a vintage vibe 

5. Poses That Always Work

- On tummy with elbows up (6–8 weeks) 

- Sitting with a pillow behind “just in case” (4–7 months) 

- Standing at the couch (9–11 months) 

- Cake smash at 12 months — obviously in a Gabby Lou birthday dress!

6. How to Actually Get the Smile

- Dad making silly noises off-camera 

- Favorite crinkle toy 

- Me waving a giant bow like a lunatic (works every time) 

- Sing “If You’re Happy and You Know It” — instant giggles

7. Phone Settings I Swear By

- iPhone: tap the screen on baby’s face to focus & expose 

- Turn on Live Photo — you’ll catch the perfect millisecond every time 

- Shoot in Portrait mode for that dreamy blurred background 

- Edit with the free app “Lightroom”

8. Bonus: Make a Little Book

At the end of year one I put all 12 photos in a 8×8 Shutterfly book titled “Gabby Lou’s First Trip Around the Sun.” I also subscribe to a monthly Chatbooks book, ever since Louise was born.

Your turn — tag us @gabbyloubaby when you snap your next milestone photo! I repost my favorites and nothing makes my heart happier than seeing your sweet babies in our pieces.

You’ve got this, mama. These are the days you’ll wish you could bottle forever.

All the love & ruffles, 

Anne ♡ 

(and Gabby & Lou, who just turned 4 and 2 going on 13)