Many readers have asked here, on Flickr, and on Facebook how we create the weekly photos that document Clara’s first year. After answering a number of individual questions, we decided to put together a simple guide that explains our process from setup to final image. Documenting your child with consistent photos is an easy DIY art project that looks great framed or collected into a coffee table book.
We aren’t professional photographers, expert retouchers, or seasoned baby wranglers, but after a few months of photographing Clara on different fabric backdrops and adding her age to her onesie in post-production, we developed a workflow that produces consistent, polished results.
- Clara wears a plain white onesie so we can add the age text digitally later.
- We usually use only one yard of fabric for each shot, which keeps costs low and makes the project manageable.
- Most of our fabrics come from discount fabric stores or big-box craft stores; sale coupons make it even cheaper.
- We also use fabric, blankets, or pillowcases we already own—free backgrounds that can look just as good.
- We shoot in the early evening (roughly 5:30–6:30 p.m.) when the light is indirect to avoid harsh shadows and squinty faces.
- Our sunroom gets the best natural light, but you can achieve a similar effect outdoors on a blanket in early evening light.
- We use a DSLR (a Nikon D3000) and have gradually learned how to use it better thanks to tips from readers.
- To keep color consistent from week to week we white-balance the camera against the onesie before shooting.
- We typically shoot 75–100 frames and then choose our single favorite image to edit.
After the shoot we sort through the images and pick the one that best represents Clara that week. We use a photo management app to delete blurred or poorly composed frames and flag the promising shots. Our goal is to select a picture that captures her expression and isn’t too similar to previous weeks so the series stays visually varied.
Once the final photo is chosen, we open it in Photoshop for light editing and to add the age text. Our retouching is straightforward: crop the image if needed, slightly increase exposure or contrast to brighten the frame, and remove any distracting wrinkles or tiny blemishes on the fabric using basic retouching tools such as the Healing Brush or Clone Stamp. These small fixes help the final image look clean while keeping the authentic feel of the photo.
For the age graphic we usually copy the text layer from the prior week’s file to maintain consistent placement and style. If you’re starting from scratch, we use a bold circular number for the age and a simple sans-serif for the word “weeks.” Position the text so it follows the angle of the baby’s body and make sure the week number is correct.
Choosing text color that coordinates with the fabric background makes each image feel cohesive. You can sample a hue directly from the fabric using a color picker, or select a complimentary accent color to create contrast while keeping the overall palette harmonious.
To make the text appear printed on the onesie rather than floating above it, set the text layer blend mode to Multiply and lower the opacity into the 60%–80% range, adjusting as needed based on color saturation. This allows the shirt’s natural folds and shading to influence the text, creating a subtle, realistic printed-on effect. Occasionally, when the onesie has significant wrinkles, you may need to warp or chop portions of the text to follow fabric creases; that takes more practice but works well when necessary.
After those adjustments the image is finished and ready to share. We’ve gotten into a rhythm with this process, and now that we’re several months into the year-long project we’re excited about gathering all 52 images for a printed book. A bound collection will be a great keepsake for family and a fun way for Clara to see her own growth and expressions as she gets older.
We’re also slowly accumulating an eclectic stack of fabric backgrounds. Right now we’re tossing around ideas for what to do with them—make a quilt, sew small keepsakes, or stitch together a colorful banner or bunting that could double as birthday decor and a nod to this first-year series.
If you’d like to try this method, the basics are simple: use a plain onesie, consistent backgrounds, soft natural light, plenty of frames, and a straightforward Photoshop technique to integrate the age text. This approach works for babies, toddlers, or even pets—any subject you want to document over time. We’d love to hear about creative ways you’ve captured growth or change in your family or home.
PS: If you prefer not to edit photos, removable milestone stickers are also available that can be applied directly to clothing for a similar look.