Nashville Baby Photographer

As a Nashville baby photographer, I’ve seen how quickly the first year flies by. Just when your little one masters one milestone, they’re already moving on to the next. This season is full of growth, change, and wonder—and milestone photo sessions are the perfect way to remember every stage. Babies won’t fit in your arms forever, but the beautiful portraits that we capture will last a lifetime. At Shannon Payne Photography, I know how busy raising babies can be, and I am here to take care of all the details. I focus on capturing meaningful moments, not just ages. That’s why I call my baby sessions Milestone Sessions—because every baby develops on their own timeline, and every moment is worth remembering.

Baby Milestone Photos in Nashville

Your baby’s first year is filled with incredible milestones—from tummy time to sitting up, crawling, and celebrating that special first birthday.  I offer baby milestone photo sessions in Nashville designed to beautifully document each of these exciting stages.

Milestone sessions are available for babies ages 4 to 12 months and are held in my studio. Every session is designed with my simple, timeless style so that the focus remains on your baby and not busy props or backgrounds. Sessions are relaxed, baby-led, and tailored to your child’s stage of development.

You’ll have full access to my Studio Closet filled with handpicked, boutique baby clothing and accessories. Each piece is selected to photograph beautifully while keeping the focus exactly where it belongs—on your baby. From our high quality props to personalized styling services, every detail of your session is thoughtfully designed to give you a stress-free and elevated photography experience.

Please visit our blog to see our recent baby photography sessions.

How to Schedule Your Nashville Baby Milestone Session

Once you are ready to book your session, I’ll work with you to choose the ideal timing based on your baby’s developmental stage. While milestone sessions are available from 4 to 12 months, I recommend scheduling based on your baby’s readiness—such as tummy time (around 4 months), sitting unassisted (6–8 months), or standing with support (9–12 months). I understand that every baby grows and develops on their own timeline, and I’ll work closely with you to choose a session date that honors your baby’s unique pace. No matter where your little one is in their journey, we’ll create timeless portraits that celebrate their story.

All milestone sessions take place in my studio on weekday mornings when babies are typically at their happiest. I will work with you to find a time that works with your baby’s nap schedule. Once your date is reserved, you’ll receive a session prep guide, full access to the studio wardrobe, and styling support to help you feel completely confident and prepared. Because I take on a limited number of sessions to ensure a boutique, personalized experience for each family, my calendar often books several months in advance. I recommend reserving your session date at least two months ahead of time. If your baby hasn’t quite reached a developmental milestone as the date approaches, we’ll work together to adjust the timing as needed.

Curated Client Closet: A Stress-Free, Luxury Experience

One of our clients’ favorite aspects of the luxury baby photography experience at Shannon Payne Photography is our beautifully curated Studio Closet. As a busy mom, you already have enough on your plate—so let me take the stress out of planning outfits. With full access to our Client Closet, you don’t need to shop or worry about what your baby will wear.

The wardrobe includes outfits for girls and boys in sizes 3 months to 2T, diaper covers, bows, and floral crowns, and other handpicked accessories that reflect the classic and organic style my studio is known for. Many of these outfits are custom-designed by artisans and sourced from boutique vendors around the world to ensure a unique, high-end look that photographs beautifully. If parents or siblings will be joining, the Client Closet includes dresses for moms and sisters as well as shirts for dads and big brothers. If you prefer to bring your own clothing, I also offer wardrobe tips and styling guidance to ensure your whole family looks beautifully coordinated.

Whether it’s a sitter session or a first birthday celebration, each outfit is thoughtfully selected to match your session’s tone and your baby’s stage.

First Birthday Cake Smash Photo Sessions in Nashville

Celebrate your baby’s biggest milestone in style!

Your baby’s first birthday is such a meaningful moment—not just for them, but for you, too. You’ve made it through the first year of late nights, first steps, snuggles, and so much growth. Now it’s time to celebrate in a way that’s joyful, stress-free, and beautifully photographed.

At Shannon Payne Photography, first birthday photo sessions are one of our most popular offerings, and for good reason—they’re fun, memorable, and totally customized to your baby’s personality.

A Custom Cake Smash Experience

Each cake smash session includes a custom cake designed by my partner’s bakery, so you don’t have to lift a finger. I’ll coordinate with the baker to ensure your cake perfectly fits your session’s color palette and theme—whether you prefer a simple, semi-naked frosted cake, natural greenery and florals, or a specific theme. The cake is included in your session, and all you have to do is show up and enjoy!

The cake smash setup is styled with a timeless white backdrop and a cake stand and birthday topper from my studio collection. You’ll also have access to my Client Closet for a beautiful, coordinated outfit that photographs perfectly.

Include the Whole Family

These sessions aren’t just about the cake smash—they’re about celebrating your family. You’re welcome to include parents and siblings in the photos to mark this special moment together. Whether it’s snuggles with mom and dad, sweet sibling kisses, or everyone laughing through the smash, I’ll capture the joy of your growing family.

What if My Baby Doesn’t Like the Cake?

This is one of my most frequently asked questions. Don’t worry—I’ve photographed hundreds of first birthday sessions, and every single baby reacts differently to the cake. Some babies dig right in, and we have to take the cake away! Other babies are hesitant, and some cry when they touch the frosting. We want to embrace every reaction – no matter if they are smiles or tears! Regardless of the reaction, I will keep things fun, relaxed, and baby-led. I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve to help warm up hesitant babies. My priority is to make sure you leave with sweet images—no matter how your baby feels about frosting.

Make It a Milestone to Remember

This is more than just a photo session—it’s a milestone celebration. From the professionally styled set to the custom cake and outfit coordination, every detail is taken care of so you can focus on enjoying the moment. Let’s create an experience you’ll never forget and images you’ll treasure forever.

First Moments Baby Photography Packages in Nashville

While your baby’s first birthday is a huge milestone, it’s just one of many worth remembering. That’s why so many of our families choose the First Moments package—to beautifully tell the full story of their baby’s first year.

Your little one will grow more in the first year than at any other time in life—and as a parent, you’re too busy soaking in each moment to capture it all. That’s why I created my First Moments baby photography packages: to help you document every stage in a seamless, stress-free way.

Your baby’s first year… thoughtfully documented.

What’s Included in a First Moments Package?

First Moments packages combine the most popular milestones during your baby’s first year. Sessions typically include:

• Tummy Time Session (around 4 months) – capturing sweet baby expressions, big eyes, and tiny fingers pushing up for the first time.
• Sitter Session (6–8 months) – documenting your baby’s emerging personality as they sit up, giggle, and interact.
• One-Year Session + Cake Smash – a joyful session that celebrates the first year.

You can also customize your package to include maternity or newborn sessions, depending on where you are in your journey.

A Luxury Photography Experience From Start to Finish

When you choose a First Moments package, you’re investing in more than just photos—you’re receiving a full-service, luxury experience tailored to growing families. While you are busy making memories with your babies, I am here to handle every detail:

• Access to my Studio Client Closet for every session
• Expert styling guidance for your baby and family
• Thoughtful, age-appropriate posing and pacing
• A custom cake is included for the first birthday session
• Professionally edited, heirloom-quality images to preserve forever

Save Time, Stress Less, and Never Miss a Milestone

As a busy parent, you shouldn’t have to scramble to schedule sessions or figure out what to wear. With your sessions already planned in advance, you’ll always have something to look forward to—and I’ll be here every step of the way to guide you through it.

Booking a First Moments package also ensures priority access to my calendar, so your sessions are secured during the ideal developmental windows.

Let’s Tell the Story of Their First Year

This is your baby’s story—and yours, too. From their first tiny smile to their first messy bite of birthday cake, the First Moments package ensures that none of it slips by undocumented. This story is so important, we don’t want your memories to stay in a digital folder on your computer. Many families choose to create a custom heirloom album at the end of their baby’s first year. With professional-quality printing and timeless design, your album becomes a keepsake you’ll reach for again and again—and one day, it will be theirs to hold and cherish too.

Let’s preserve these once-in-a-lifetime memories so you can relive them again and again.

Let’s Capture the Moments You’ll Never Want to Forget

Your baby’s first year milestones deserve to be documented with care, intention, and love. If you’re looking for a Nashville baby photographer who understands how meaningful this season is, I’d be honored to help you preserve it.

Let’s create timeless images of your baby’s biggest milestones. Contact me today to reserve your session and learn more about my First Moments packages.