I'm Michelle
Because you shouldn’t have to choose just one moment to remember, this is your way to hold on to the whole story.
Because some moments are meant to be seen as they unfold, movement, emotion, and the beauty of this season, just as it was.
As a newborn photographer in Wilmington, NC there’s one thing I hear time and time again from parents: “I thought I’d remember it all… but the details are already slipping away.”
And it’s true.
One day you’re rocking a tiny miracle in your arms, and the next, they’re giggling, crawling, and blowing out their first birthday candle. That first year is full of God’s grace, growth, and transformation—and it’s a season worth remembering.
Those tiny fingers, the sleepy yawns, the gummy smiles are all a reflection of God’s goodness. These moments are sacred. They may feel unforgettable now, but time moves quickly. What seems ordinary today will soon be a memory you’ll wish you could hold onto forever. That’s why I created the First Year Collective—a portrait experience thoughtfully designed to help families preserve the beauty of their baby’s first year.
The First Year Collective is more than just a series of sessions. It’s a heartfelt commitment to documenting your baby’s story, from the anticipation of pregnancy to the celebration of their first birthday and how you’ve grown as a mother.
Choose from a curated combination of sessions, including:
Each session is infused with the love, beauty, and connection your family shares—and we make it effortless for you.
We know how overwhelming the first year can be, so we designed the First Year Collective to give you not just beautiful images, but peace of mind.
As part of the membership, you’ll receive:
Your portraits are more than photographs—they’re the first chapter of your family’s legacy. In a world that’s increasingly digital, a photo album is the antidote.
Your baby’s album is a gorgeous keepsake you can touch, feel, gather around, and flip through together—a cherished heirloom to pass down for generations. For that reason, our First Year Collective comes with a credit towards baby’s album after each session in the membership.
Your baby will never be this little again. That’s the hard truth and no matter how many photos you take on your phone, nothing compares to professionally captured memories. These are the images we’ll frame, flip through on hard days, and one day—share with your child.
Because the truth is, you’ll never regret investing in the story of your baby’s first year.
You’ll only wish you had done more to hold onto it.
As a newborn photographer in Wilmington, NC my mission is to make sure these moments don’t fade. I want you to remember everything—the weight of them in your arms, the way they looked up at you, the joy and love that filled the room.
Let’s capture it all, together.
Ready to preserve your baby’s first year?
Inquire about our First Year Collective Membership today and ensure your baby’s story is beautifully told—from day one.
These photographs become treasures passed through generations. Your children will one day hold these images close, seeing themselves through your loving eyes and discovering the quiet grace that surrounded their earliest days.
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Michelle Popp Photography is a Wilmington NC newborn photographer also specializing in family, maternity, and baby photography serving all of Wilmington, Hampstead, Topsail Beach, Jacksonville, Figure Eight Island, Leland, Surf City, Swansboro, Wrightsville Beach, Ogden, Porters Neck and surrounding areas.
Pure, Organic & Timeless
If this season feels tender, beautiful, or just a little fleeting, it may be His way of inviting you to pause and hold it close. I’d be honored to walk with you.