Kelly and Dustin last worked with me for their newborn session shortly after my own son was born. I was excited to have them come to the studio for Lachlan's first year portraits and cake smash. Kelly and Dustin pulled pieces from their own wardrobe following my styling suggestions, and came to the studio after Lachlan's nap. I always schedule these sessions for after your baby has napped and eaten. A well rested baby with a full tummy is always much happier... I guess I could say the same for adults!

We started the session with family images. I love starting with family because it establishes a level of trust with your baby. They see that mom and dad are okay with the lady who has the camera, and they relax and show their true personality. Sometimes they're shy at first, and this is totally ok! It can make for some very sweet snuggling images.

We then moved on to portraits of just Lachlan, and then I set up the paper backdrop for the cake smash. I also have a high chair in the studio for cake smashes, but each parent chooses what they want to do. Parents are assigned to be baby herders if the backdrop is chosen, since most babies will eventually move on from the cake and want to explore the studio.

Lachlan enjoyed smashing his cake but wasn't too wild about eating it! Not every baby will stuff their mouth with cake and make a huge mess. Every baby is different, and the way they approach their cake smash is unique to them. Some babies just don't care for the taste or sugar or the way the icing feels, and that's ok! The point of First Birthday session is to create portraits of your baby at the age of one, and then to document their authentic reaction to the cake smash experience.

Image of a one year old, baby, boy sitting between his parents who are both smiling while he just grins.

Image of a mother with red hair, holding her one year old son while he reaches for the camera.

Image of a mother and father hugging their son between them while they all smile.

Image of a mother holding her son and smiling down at him, while his father hugs his wife and kisses his son's forehead.

Image of a one year old boy, sitting on a couch and half smiling up at the camera.

Side by side images of a one year old boy, sitting on a couch, wearing khaki's and a striped shit.

Image of a one year old boy, sitting on a couch, wearing khaki's and a striped shirt, and showing off his bottom two teeth.

Image of a one year old baby boy, wearing a blue cloth diaper, and sticking his finger into the icing of his smash cake.

Side by side images of a one year old boy reaching for his smash cake.

Image of a one year old, baby, boy, wearing a blue, cloth, diaper, with icing all over his face and hands, looking down at the icing on his fingers.

Close up of the icing covered fingers of a one year old, baby, boy.

Image of a one year old, baby, boy, with icing all over him, with on hand in his mouth, licking the icing off of that hand.

Image of a one year old baby boy, looking down at his icing covered hands.

Image of a one year old, baby, boy, with his smash cake sitting in front of him, covered in icing.

If you're looking for a baby and family photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Be sure to view this short 1.5 minute film to hear about my philosophy and see how I work so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!