Kirsty Fairweather Photography

Milestones have a way of arriving before you feel ready for them. It is a phrase most parents say often, usually with a mixture of pride and disbelief.

Photographing those milestones is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. The most requested sessions are the baby ones, marking the earliest stages of a child’s life:

• Newborn
• Sitting (six to nine months)
• First birthdays

These sessions are a genuine privilege. Babies change and grow so quickly that being able to document those changes for a family is a lovely thing to do.

The milestones do not stop once a child is walking and talking. There are also sessions for:

• School leavers and friends parties
• Back to school minis
• Preschool leavers
• Graduation
• Birthday parties
• Prom, with mini sessions running from June to September to make the most of the dresses and outfits

As it happens, the timing of this piece is rather apt. One of the children in this household is sitting her final GCSE exam today, so there is another family milestone to mark. The obligatory doorstep photographs of her last day in uniform were taken this morning. Next stop: prom.

It is not often there is a chance to get her into the studio these days, but prom is one occasion where she will almost certainly agree. Photographs of her and her friends will be a lovely thing to have.

It really does go by quickly. It seems like only five minutes since the photograph of her first day at school, and since a Year 6 leavers’ photo shoot party was held in the studio for her year group. The photo book from that day is still a pleasure to look back on, not least for the changes it captures. In fact, it seems like five minutes since she was a baby.

So enjoy all the special moments. Anyone interested in a Celebrating Milestones session is welcome to get in touch.