When planning maternity photos or newborn photos, many families assume they’ll book sessions one at a time. That works for some, but it’s not always the most thoughtful or cost-effective approach. If you’ve found yourself wondering why book a newborn photo package to document baby’s first year instead of individual sessions, the answer often comes down to flexibility, continuity, and long-term value. Baby’s first year moves quickly, and having a plan in place from the beginning can make documenting it feel simpler and far less stressful.
The first year moves quickly. Faster than anyone warns you about. One day you’re figuring out how to swaddle, and the next you’re planning a first birthday. A newborn photo package is designed to capture those changes in a cohesive, intentional way — without having to start from scratch every few months.
Let’s break down how it works and who it’s really for.
What Is a Newborn Photo Package?
Simply put, a newborn photo package is a way to bundle multiple photo sessions at a discounted rate. Every photographer may have a slightly different approach to the way that their package is structured, so it’s important to compare packages and find the one that fits best for your family. My newborn photo package, called the First Year Membership, allows families to bundle up to four sessions across baby’s first year.
You can choose from:
The goal isn’t to push you into doing everything. It’s to give you options and built-in savings if you know you’d like to document more than just the newborn stage.
Each session is photographed with the same consistent style and attention to detail, so your images feel cohesive when displayed together.
How the First Year Membership Works
This is where my approach is a little different.
There is no upfront payment required to join the membership. You’re not committing thousands of dollars on day one. Instead:
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You join the membership.
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You book sessions as you go.
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You receive built-in savings when you choose multiple sessions.
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You get priority booking for milestone dates.
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You receive access to member-only perks and special events.
The membership is intentionally flexible. You don’t have to map out the entire year before your baby even arrives. If you’re not sure whether you’ll want a cake smash or prefer a simple family session at one year, you don’t have to decide right away. Tell me what you’re leaning toward, and when the time comes, I’ll check in. You can book the session or pass without pressure.
Life with a baby is unpredictable. Schedules shift. Sleep changes. Plans evolve. Your photography experience should allow for that.
Who a Newborn Photo Package Makes the Most Sense For
A newborn photo package is a great fit if you:
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Know you want to document more than just your pregnancy or the newborn stage
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Appreciate built-in savings across multiple sessions
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Prefer having milestone dates planned ahead
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Love the idea of a cohesive collection that tells a full story
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Want priority booking for busy seasons
It’s especially helpful for first-time parents who are already thinking, “I don’t want this year to disappear without documenting it.”
If you’re only interested in one session, booking individually may make more sense. The membership is designed for families who want continuity.
What Sessions Are Typically Included?
What sessions you wish to include are up to you. While most families choose three or four sessions during the first year, you can choose just two as well.
A common path looks like this:
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Maternity – celebrating the anticipation
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Newborn – those early, sleepy days
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Sitter milestone – when baby can sit independently
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Cake smash or first birthday – personality on full display
Some families skip the maternity session while others opt for a one-year family session instead of a cake smash. Others prefer a simpler combination of just maternity and newborn or newborn and one year photos.
The beauty of my newborn photo package is that it adapts to your preferences.
What Does a Newborn Photo Package Cost?
There is no fee to join the First Year Membership. It’s completely free.
Rather than paying upfront for a bundled package, the membership works as a built-in savings structure for families who choose to document multiple milestones during baby’s first year. You book sessions as you go, and the savings increase based on the number of sessions you complete.
In other words, you’re rewarded for consistency without being locked into a large advance payment or a rigid contract. If you decide to photograph two milestones, you receive savings. If you choose three or four, the value grows accordingly.
To explore the different session types and current pricing, visit the Investment page. If you’d like a detailed breakdown of how the First Year Membership works, including savings and timelines, you can find all of that on the First Year Membership page.
What Makes My First Year Membership Different
There are plenty of maternity and newborn photographers who offer bundled packages. What makes mine different is the flexibility.
- No required large deposit
- No rigid timeline – sessions can be spread across 18 months
- No pressure to decide everything immediately
- Same level of care whether you book two sessions or four
The membership grows with your family instead of boxing you into decisions made months in advance.
The structure supports planning, but it also leaves room for real life, which we all know rarely follows a perfect timeline.
Because each stage is photographed in a consistent, natural style, your images flow together visually. They don’t feel like separate events; they feel like chapters of the same story.
And you’re not starting over with a new photographer every few months. I already know your preferences, your comfort level, and how you like to be photographed, which makes each session feel easier and more connected than the last.
Why Planning Ahead Reduces Stress Later
One of the biggest benefits of a newborn photo package isn’t just financial — it’s mental.
You don’t have to:
- Research a photographer again in six months
- Worry about availability during busy seasons
- Re-explain your preferences each time
You already have a plan in place.
When milestone moments are approaching, I will reach out and you can decide it you’d like to schedule a session. It’s one less thing you have to think about.
And when the year is over, you don’t just have scattered images, you have a complete story.
Is a Newborn Photo Package Right for You?
If you’re drawn to the idea of documenting this entire season in a consistent, natural way, a newborn photo package may be worth considering.
It gives you flexibility, built-in savings, priority booking, and a clear plan for preserving baby’s first year, without requiring you to map out every detail in advance.
If you’d like to explore how the First Year Membership works in more detail, you can find the full overview and pricing information on the Newborn & First Year Photography Package page.
And if you’re still deciding, that’s perfectly normal too. The most important thing is choosing the option that feels manageable and meaningful for your family.
Kelli Dease is a Farmington, Connecticut newborn and family photographer specializing in timeless, light-filled maternity and newborn portraits, baby and children’s photography, and family portraits. She offers a relaxed, full-service experience for growing families, creating in-studio and outdoor portraits with a focus on simplicity and ease. Clients receive access to a curated studio wardrobe, thoughtful guidance throughout the planning and session process, and digital images, with the option to add fine art prints and albums. Please contact Kelli Dease Photography today to find out about session availability.
Kelli Dease Photography serves families throughout Farmington, Avon, Simsbury, Canton, West Hartford, Burlington, Granby, and the surrounding Farmington Valley, Hartford County, and central Connecticut areas.
To see more of Kelli’s photos, please follow her on Instagram.
