Why You Shouldn’t Wait: Capturing Family Photos as Kids Grow Out of the Baby Stage

From a Toronto Family Photographer Who Sees the Magic in the Middle

As a photographer, I’ve had the pleasure of documenting families through every stage—from maternity to brand new babies to multi-generational extended families. And while I can assure you that every chapter is beautiful, there’s one stage that often gets quietly overlooked: the in-between.

The stage where the chubby cheeks start to slim out. When they feel ready to conquer the world - but they’ll get to it after one more cuddle. When they’re loud and curious and so full of personality, but still want to be tucked in at the end of the day.

It’s the season bookended by toddlerhood and adolescence—the “not quite big but not quite small” phase of childhood. And let me tell you as someone photographs families (and a mom whose kids are currently in the season of in-between)… it’s magic.

Why this Stage Matters

We’re so conditioned to take photos at big milestones: newborn sessions, cake smashes, graduations, holidays. But life isn’t just made up of milestones. It’s made of little in-between moments that often pass unnoticed. You have permission to document this time too.

You Blink, and It’s Different

The truth is, change doesn’t always come with a big announcement. One day, you realize you haven’t rocked them to sleep in a while. That they’ve stopped mispronouncing that word you secretly loved.

Photos from this stage hold those small, seemingly ordinary details—the missing teeth, the way their tongue sticks out while they concentrate, the way they lean into you without thinking twice. These are the moments we long for later.

Brothers being brothers at a family photo session.

It’s About More Than the Kids

Family sessions at this stage aren’t just about documenting your children’s growth. They’re about you, too. About your relationship with them now—how you comfort, guide, and love them through this next stretch of life.

Because one day, they’ll look back at these photos and see how you looked at them. How tightly you held them. How present you were. And isn’t that the best gift you can give your kids?

Family snuggle during a photo session in Toronto.

Don’t Wait for the “Perfect” Time

There’s no perfect season, perfect age, or perfect outfit. Life doesn’t slow down, and neither should your memory-making.

So whether your kids are five or twelve, whether they’re climbing trees or eye-rolling through jokes—this time is worth remembering. You are worth remembering.

Let’s capture your now. Because it matters more than you think.

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Ready to document this beautiful, wild, in-between season? Reach out—I’d love to create something real with you.