Baby Photography Near Me | A Nashville Parent’s Guide

What Nashville Parents Should Know When Searching “Baby Photography Near Me”

If you’ve searched “baby photography near me,” you already know there are so many talented photographers in the Nashville area. When my boys were babies, things were different—we didn’t have dozens of options, we just chose the photographer our friends used.

Today, parents have access to websites, reviews, and social media that make it easier than ever to find the right fit. Choosing the right Nashville baby photographer is more than just checking off boxes on a wishlist—it’s finding someone that you will trust with your family’s most important memories.

Many of my clients find me by doing a quick “baby photography near me” search on Google. There you can read all of the wonderful reviews that my sweet clients have left. Reading reviews is one of the best ways to get a sense of what the portrait experience with a certain photographer is really like.

Why “Baby Photography Near Me” Searches are Important for Nashville Families

Finding a photographer close to home makes the whole process easier for busy families. A full-service studio with clothing options saves you time, and flexible scheduling helps fit sessions around your busy schedule.

Best of all, choosing someone nearby means you can return again and again to capture every milestone, from newborn through the first birthday and beyond.

The Best Ages to Schedule Baby Photography Sessions in Nashville

Baby’s first year is full of exciting milestones. As your baby grows, you will want to remember every stage. Baby milestone photos are a great way to document such a special time.

This article from BabyCenter explains developmental milestones during baby’s first year.

Newborn Photos

The very first days of life go by in a blur. Newborn sessions capture that brand-new sweetness you’ll never want to forget. I can’t freeze the newborn smell, but I can definitely document every tiny detail.

Newborn photos are a true art, so choosing a trusted, experienced Nashville newborn photographer for this stage is very important. Check photographer portfolios to make sure their newborn work is consistent.

Tummy Time

Around 3–4 months, babies start holding their heads up and showing off those first big smiles. Tummy time photos highlight this stage of curiosity and personality. This age is typically the shortest milestone session due to babies at this age having a short “happy” wake time.

Sitter Stage

Ahhhh…. possibly my favorite! A sitting and smiling baby is the absolute cutest. At 6–8 months, babies are starting to sit on their own. This milestone brings playful expressions, gummy grins, and chubby rolls that make for adorable portraits.

Crawling/Pushing Up

Before walking, babies love to scoot, crawl, and explore. This stage captures their growing independence and keeps us chasing them along the way!

First Birthday/Cake Smash

You’ve survived the first year! Turning one is definitely a milestone worth celebrating! Cake smash sessions are full of laughter, frosting, and joy—perfect for marking your baby’s first big year. Visit my First Birthday Photoshoot Ultimate Guide to learn all about these sessions.

What to Look for When Choosing a Baby Photographer

When searching for baby photography near me, here are the things I recommend keeping in mind:

• Experience– knowing your photographer has years of experience and is trained in baby safety makes the whole experience calmer and more enjoyable.

• Style – what setting feels right for your family? Outdoor and in-home sessions can be beautiful but often bring unpredictable light, weather, or distractions. In my studio, I keep things simple and timeless — with soft tones, minimal props, and a calm environment so the focus stays on your baby and family connection.

• Trustworthiness – babies (and parents!) do best when they feel relaxed, and working with a trusted photographer who knows your family helps with that.

• Budget – pricing can vary depending on the photographer’s experience, talent, and the services they include, so look for value that matches your priorities.

• Services – consider whether the photographer offers sessions for all ages so you can return for each milestone, from newborn through first birthday and beyond.

• Personal Connection – your photographer should take the time to know your family’s preferences and style so your portraits feel authentic and uniquely yours.

Questions Parents Should Ask When Looking for the Best Nashville Baby Photographer

Before you choose a photographer, it helps to ask a few key questions so you know exactly what to expect:

• What is included each photography package? The pricing for all of my packages includes the time of the session, a set number of digital files, and a digital proofing gallery and download gallery. You have the option to add on additional digital files and products such as albums and wall art.

• How long does a session typically last? Sessions vary by age, but I always make sure there’s plenty of time to capture each milestone without rushing your baby. Newborn sessions may take a few hours, while milestone sessions like tummy time or sitter stage are shorter.

• Do you provide guidance on outfits and styling? Absolutely! My Nashville studio has a full client closet with carefully curated outfits, so you don’t have to worry about bringing anything. I’ll also guide you on colors and textures that photograph beautifully. I also offer services through Style and Select if you want to bring your own outfits.

• Do you photograph all stages of the first year? Yes! I specialize in capturing every milestone—from newborns to first birthday cake smashes—so you can have a consistent, beautiful collection of memories. You can even bring your toddlers back to me…. terrible 2’s and all!

• When will we receive our images? Proofing galleries are returned within 1-2 weeks, and then it takes another 1-2 weeks to receive your final edited images in a download gallery. Turnaround time from start to finish is 2-4 weeks.

Asking these questions helps you feel confident that your photographer is the right fit for your family.

Why Nashville Parents Choose Shannon Payne Photography

For over 15 years, I’ve had the honor of photographing babies (and their parents!) all over Nashville.

Families choose my Nashville studio because they want a relaxed, full-service experience where everything is taken care of—so you can actually enjoy the session instead of stressing about props, outfits, or keeping your little one happy.

I keep things simple and timeless—soft tones, minimal props, and a calm, baby-first approach—so the focus stays exactly where it should: on your baby and your family connection.

Many of my clients come back again and again, building a beautiful collection of memories. I absolutely love seeing families grow up in front of my camera—it’s the best part of my job!

Shannon is incredibly professional and made our whole family feel comfortable and relaxed throughout the shoot.

Molly, Nashville, TN

Ready to Book Baby Photography Near Me in Nashville?

If you’ve been typing “baby photography near me” into Google, let’s make this easy: I’d love to meet you and your little one in my Nashville studio!

Whether you’re capturing those sleepy newborn snuggles, belly-laugh-filled tummy time, or a frosting-covered first birthday, every milestone is worth celebrating—and I’ll make sure it’s as fun (and stress-free) as possible.

Your baby grows up fast, but these memories don’t have to. Click here and let’s create portraits that you’ll treasure for a lifetime. Trust me—your future self will thank you for it!

Meet Shannon Payne Photography

Shannon is a newborn, baby, and senior photographer with a professional studio located in Hendersonville, TN just outside of Nashville. Shannon is ranked as one of the best newborn and baby photographers serving Nashville and surrounding Middle Tennessee areas including but not limited to Gallatin, Goodlettsville, Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, Brentwood, Franklin, Spring Hill, and White House.

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