How Often Should You Book Family Photos? A Guide for Bay Area Parents from a Bay Area Family Photographer!

If you’ve ever looked at your kids and thought, “When did they get so big?”  you're not alone. As a Livermore family photographer, I’ve seen firsthand how quickly childhood passes and how important it is to capture every meaningful chapter.

Maybe you're expecting your first baby, chasing a toddler around Sycamore Grove Park, or wanting to update your family photos for the holidays, this guide will help you decide how often to book professional family photos  and why it's worth it.

Meli Miller Photography, family photography in the Bay area

Before They Are Born: Maternity Sessions

Maternity Photo session in San Francisco

A maternity session is about more than just the bump , it's about celebrating this huge gift in your life, honoring your body, and preserving the anticipation before your baby arrives. These sessions are tender, powerful, and deeply personal.

Best time to book: Between 28–34 weeks Looking for a maternity photographer near Livermore or the Bay Area? I offer beautiful outdoor maternity sessions with soft natural light and relaxed direction, nothing stiff or too posed.

Newborn Sessions: The First Few Weeks

Newborn Photography in Livermore

Those early days with your newborn are a whirlwind of love, exhaustion, and wonder. Newborn photography captures the tiny toes, sleepy stretches, and quiet connection you’ll want to remember forever.

Newborn photography in Livermore and the Bay Area can be done in the comfort of your home, no rushing, no stiff posing, just natural, baby-led moments.

Book your session: For the first 5–14 days after birth

One Year: A Birthday to Remember

The first year is full of milestones, but none quite like turning one. Whether you go for a cake smash or something soft and simple in nature, one-year birthday photo sessions are perfect for capturing your little one’s personality before they grow again.

Annual Family Sessions

One of the best ways to keep your family's story alive is by booking a yearly family photo session. These sessions reflect how your family is growing and changing, the goofy grins, the missing teeth, the snuggles, the new dynamics.

As a family photographer in Livermore, I love helping families build a collection of images they can look back on year after year. Fall Sessions: The Most Popular Time of Year

Looking for the best time to take family photos in the Bay Area? Fall is it. With golden sunlight, warm tones, and scenic locations like vineyards and rolling hills, this season is by far the most requested for family portraits.

Pro tip: My Fall calendar fills up months in advance. Reach out early to grab a spot. Christmas Minis: Holiday Magic Made Simple

Christmas mini sessions in the Bay Area are short, fun, and packed with seasonal charm. Whether you want a clean, classic look or playful photos with your kids in matching pajamas, holiday sessions make the perfect keepsake (and holiday card).

Sessions often sell out, especially in November. Join my email list to be the first to know when they go live. Special Events and Big Life Moments

You don’t always need a milestone to take meaningful photos. A new home, a new pet, the first day of school, or even just your family together on an ordinary Sunday , these are the stories you’ll want to remember.

As your go-to Bay Area family photographer, I’m here for the big moments, the little in-betweens, and everything in between. So, How Often Should You Book Family Photos?

Here’s a quick breakdown of the most meaningful times to schedule a session:

• Maternity photos: 28–34 weeks

• Newborn photos: 5–14 days old

• 1st birthday: Around 11–13 months

• Annual family session: Once a year

• Fall portraits: September through November

• Christmas minis: Early November

• Any special milestone: Whenever your heart says “capture this” Let’s Tell Your Story!
  

  Are you welcoming a new baby, celebrating your child’s first birthday, or just want to document your family in this season? I’d love to help you create images that feel real and timeless.
  

  

  I’m Meli, a family, maternity, and newborn photographer based in Livermore, and I serve families across the Bay Area with sessions that are natural, relaxed, and filled with connection.
  

  Ready to start planning? Reach out here and let’s preserve the moments that matter most.