The Ultimate Guide to Sitter Session Photography - 7 reasons you absolutely need one!
Last week I was approached by a Wimbledon based family for a Sitter Session for their baby. I’m embarrassed to say that in my almost a decade as a family photographer - I had not come across this term and had absolutely no clue what that meant!
A red-faced google search brought me up to speed. They are super cute sessions that I offer regularly - just being called something different now. Sitter sessions are the sweetest sessions and honestly, one of my favourites.
I had wasted precious time looking through multiple articles on it. Therefore, I have put together this guide so that you can find all the important info on sitter sessions - all in one place.
In this article, I cover what a sitter session is, when is the ideal time to have one, is your baby ready for one, ideal location for your sitter session and my top 7 reasons why you need one.
Ready to find out all about it? Lets go…
What is a Baby Sitter Session Photography?
A Sitter Session Photography is the celebration of your baby sitting independently, unaided. It is a key milestone in your baby’s development and the idea is to celebrate this new phase in baby’s life. Its the next session you want to book after your newborn session. It is also the perfect time, as they are confidently sitting up…yet are not mobile enough to make you run after them! That stage is coming up in just a few months . Us lucky parents! :)
When is the ideal time to book a Baby Sitter Session?
You can book a session when you feel your baby has started sitting confidently without much support from anyone else. Usually that is a skill many babies master between 7 and 9 months of age. But as is always the case, some babies master this earlier while some others do it a little later. You can find out what NHS recommends, here.
My younger son started sitting quite early but would adorably fall for a long time. If interested, you can watch that video here. You DON'T want this happening in your sitter session! lol :)
Is my baby ready for a Sitter Session Photography?
Find a 3 point check below to determine if your bay is ready for their Sitter Session.
Is your baby sitting unaided and confidently?
If they are sitting confidently without much support from anyone else, then they are ready for their session.
Is your baby falling sideways or backwards while sitting?
Before babies start sitting unaided, they go through a phase where they sit confidently but fall sideways or backwards (As you’ve seen in my son’s video above). You can catch their fall in most cases. But even then, if that’s the stage your baby is in, I’d recommend against scheduling their sitter session yet. They are almost there though. I’d wait just a few more weeks when they become more confident sitters.
Is your baby able to reach out and grab toys while sitting?
Usually when you learn to master a skill, all your focus goes towards mastering it. Its the same for babies. But when they start reaching out and grabbing toys confidently while sitting, you know that they have mastered sitting and are ready to master the next skill. Your baby is ready for their sitter session. Yay! :)
In this next video, my son is just a few weeks older than the video posted above. But you can see that he is sitting much more confidently now…happily ‘singing’ while sitting on his cute bum! lol :) He even is making an attempt to grab some toys. He is definitely ready now for his sitter session!
What is the ideal location for a Sitter Session Photography?
Below, I list down a few options for location that I recommend for sitter sessions -
Enjoy a Baby Session At Home
A lot of my families opt for an in home family session for this stage. It is easy to see why. The baby is in an environment where they are in control. They are in familiar territory which always makes for a fun session for them and for the rest of the family. You can browse images from my At Home Family Sessions here.
What about trying the outdoor for your Sitter Session?
Outdoor sessions are also popular option at this stage. I have a list of favourite locations I recommend once I get to know the personality and preference of the family. You can see Outdoor Family photo examples here.
Not sure still? How about going for Hybrid Baby Sitter Session?
You can opt for a combination of at home and an outdoor session. If you have a backyard or access to an outdoor space - we can capture the beauty of this stage both indoors and outside.
Studio Session
I don’t offer these but you can always search for a photography studio near you that offers Sitter Sessions.
Can my family be included in Baby Sitter Session?
Absolutely! I won’t have it any other way. Capturing the connection between the baby and parents is super important to me. The siblings also have a lot more fun now with the baby and is lovely to capture. It is a super special time for the family as a whole and that is what I love to capture for my parents. Its the same for my newborn sessions as well and includes the whole family then too.
Reasons why you need a Sitter Session -
Ok. So I could have written a LOT more than 7 reasons but I’ve forced myself to list just my top 7 reasons only! I must tell you that it was difficult!
They are sitting independently! Its exciting!
After months of lying on their backs, or being carried - its super exciting that they are sitting on their own! This is usually 7 months of age and most babies start to show their personalities a little which is always so adorable to capture!
Its so easy to make them smile at this stage!
Usually this is the smiley stage when they are soooo giving with their affection and expressions!
Their tummy muscles are strong by now
So we can take beautiful images of them lying on their tummy, playing with a favourite toy or smiling and laughing as they listen to a favourite song.
The details at this stage! Swoon!
Their bodies are a little fuller by this time - no longer frail like in the first weeks after birth. So the details like knuckle dimples, fuller thighs….they will make anyone’s heart melt! Utter baby delight!
They stay awake for longer
Which means that they can be up for the entire duration of the shoot and still enjoy it. My sessions usually last between 60-90 minutes. Babies are my bosses for the day! I only go for as long as they enjoy - Its abort mission as soon as the first tired tears appear!
Stranger anxiety has not yet set in
In most cases, babies are still trusting of strangers at this time. So having a new person photograph them will ideally not do anything to dampen their good mood :)
They aren’t mobile….just yet
So its easier to capture them sitting. This stage is an extremely small one - as they will be up and running in no time after this. That’s one of the biggest reasons for most of my families to book a Sitter Session.
How do I book a Sitter Session?
Want to find out more? Please get in touch for a zero pressure initial 15 minute call where you can find out about my process and ask me any questions that you might have.
Enter my Monthly Draw to win a Complimentary Session
As a thank you for being on my list, each month you will be entered into a draw to win a Complementary Session where the Session Fee of £100 is waived off.