Alice Claire Photography

One little reminder for new and expecting moms: I know it’s hard to think beyond the newborn days when you’re still preparing for baby’s arrival. And while those early weeks are so important to preserve, there is another stage that I absolutely love photographing.

Sitter sessions have become one of my very favorite milestones.

Somewhere between newborn and first birthday, babies transform almost overnight. They’re discovering their toes, reaching for toys, giggling at familiar faces, studying the world around them, and absolutely lighting up when they see their parents. And of course—the sitting stage itself is pure magic.

Their personalities begin to shine. The smiles become intentional, the laughter comes easily, and those sweet expressions change by the minute.

It’s such a fleeting season, and one that often gets overlooked while planning for newborn photos and first birthdays.

If you’ve never considered a sitter session, I truly believe it’s one of the most joyful milestones to document.

Some of my favorite childhood memories are of spending time with my dad in his darkroom. At an age when most children were playing outside, I was helping mix chemicals, watching photographs slowly appear on paper, and learning that a single image could hold a story, a feeling, or a memory.

What began as time spent alongside my father became a lifelong passion—first a hobby, then a career that has brought me immeasurable joy and connected me with so many wonderful families.

One of the greatest gifts fathers give their children isn’t something they can wrap or buy. It’s sharing a piece of themselves—their interests, their passions, their way of seeing the world. Whether it’s photography, fishing, gardening, woodworking, music, or simply a love of being outdoors, those moments spent together often become the memories that stay with us longest.

Today, I’m celebrating the fathers I’ve photographed over the years and the countless ways they’re shaping the lives of their children, often without even realizing it.
Happy Father’s Day. 🤍