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I would just do SOMETHING to document the occasion. Even if its not your dream photo shoot, I still feel like getting something in your budget is better than nothing at all.

We paid for a professional to do newborn photos, and then we did JC Penney for 3 month ones. The NB ones were 100x better, but they were also a lot more expensive. I'm happy with the 3 month ones for the $25 we paid.

We just took pics at home with our dslr. Never did professional maternity, newborn, or 1 yr and no regrets. Our kids are photographed every day (by me!) and at almost every holiday.

My friends actually had a photo shoot at JC Prnney or WalMart or something for their daughter's six month pictures and they got a few that turned out really cute! It was inexpensive too, so she said she wouldn't be too upset if they weren't all great. Could you do something like that just to have something?

Does anyone near you do mini sessions? Theres a couple in my area that do holiday themed ones that are gorgeous (and Im super picky) for $75 for a mini session.

@regberadaisy: You have a dslr? I would for sure DIY your own pics. I have one too and no way in heck would pay a photog, the rates are insane, and I dont want what they can do bad enough to spend the money when I can still get good, cute pics DIYing!! I didnt do maternity pics, newborn pics, and LO isn't a year yet, and I can bet we wont do 1 year pro shoot I know you said you realllly wanted pro pics, but in my (cheap!) opinion you can get close enough with your dslr on your own with some planning and ideas beforehand (all for free :p)! I debated mini-shoot, but then not getting copy of high-res image without paying through the nose was the hook there and I wasn't biting.

@regberadaisy: Have you thought about just going to Sears or another portrait studio? We have been really happy with our Sears just for a family pose or two.

I DIYed my own maternity (more like progress) shoot and 1-year birthday shoot. Loved them lol.

I didn't do a newborn shoot or a beauty maternity shoot though, which I don't really care for myself. The only thing that I really hired a photographer for was a boudoir shoot years ago (before baby).

I wanted some newborn shots BAD but it wasn't feasible for us because of all the time we spent in and out of the hospital when she was tiny.

BUT, we did 6 month pictures and are doing her 1 year ones this weekend!

I would suggest maybe seeing if there are any casting calls in your area for local photographers. Right before my son was born was when I discovered photography and specifically newborn photography. I looked around and found a photographer who was portfolio building and she came and did my sons photos when he was nine days old. My husband doesnt see the point of paying for photos and money is tight too so I eventually got a DSLR of my own and joined a photography forum for moms and took some classes. I would not say Im anywhere near ready for professional status but I do feel better about my camera skills and chase my son with it daily. I am set to try my own newborn photos and have been doing some selfie maternity ones as well. The best part of getting into photography though is I have made friends with other local photographers and so many of them are portfolio building so want to try out on my newborn and belly so even if Im not terrific at this I still might get some nice photos from my friends as they are all talented and trying to start up their own business too.

We did not have the money for a maternity shoot, a newborn shoot, and probably won't for 1 year photos. We had some photos done at Target portrait studio at the end of my pregnancy, but I had to use a Groupon to even get those. I took some photos of DS as a newborn with my digital camera (I also can't afford a DSLR- we're both grad students living off of one TA salary).

I do wish I'd been able to afford nice photos like I wanted, but it just wouldn't be responsible for us to sink a ton of money into them when we ought to be saving. I see it this way: my folks did not have a ton of professionally done, perfect photos like what is common today. They had Polaroids and other snapshots. Looking through family photos, my favorites to look back on aren't even the few pro shots I have from when I was a kid. They're the regular snapshots that document fun things and important milestones. Those are what I try to focus on now, and not beat myself up because I'm making a decision that is more responsible for my family.

@regberadaisy: this is ME exactly!! i thought about a maternity shoot, then decided to wait and save up for a newborn shoot.... then we decided that it wasn't worth it either... i never did a one-year shoot either. however, now that we have a family of four, i already made my husband promise that we will get to do a family shoot. it is happening at the end of this year, and we already set aside funds for it. no if's, and's, or but's this time!!

instead of all those other shoots and "settling" for an ok photographer, our family shoot is going to be with a photographer i absolutely love!

edit: i should mention i have no regrets about not doing a maternity or newborn shoot because at the end of my pregnancy, i didn't feel so hot! and both my kids at jaundice and looked like little funny newborns. noelle had eczema on both her cheeks... it wouldn't have made for very attractive photos. for our 1-year shoot we had a friend shoot the bday with his DSLR and we were happy with what we got even though it wasn't "professional". i'm excited to do a family shoot where we can all be a little more interactive, and the kids will have more personality since they're older too!