The first birthday is a milestone that all new parents look forward to and with good reason. That first year goes by so fast and in the blink of an eye, your little one is well on his way to becoming a toddler. I love the first birthday milestone because babies are still snuggly and it is the perfect time to update your family portraits. Babies have so much personality at this age and I can really hone in and focus on all of those little details that uniquely make up his/her disposition.

Studio First Birthday and Cake Smash Sessions

While I love a good ballon garland and cake smash, it is not the end all be all of milestone photography. These images are adorable and, yes, I have done many of these sessions in the past. However, my goal as a Jacksonville, Florida newborn and family photographer has always been to capture images that can preserve all of the emotions and feelings associated with each step in life. While I can capture a wide array of adorable images in a studio cake smash, I can’t capture your family’s natural connection with one another.

How is the Outdoor Cake Smash and First Birthday Session Different?

There are many similarities in the session. I will capture portraits of the birthday boy/girl. You are welcome to bring along a cake for a cake smash, I can even bring along props. What differs is that instead of chasing your child onto a set and trying to get him/her to stand still, your child will be able to roam free. That is the beauty of the outdoor session. Children can just be themselves and I can capture the essence of childhood.

Additionally, I will be able to capture some lifestyle family photos during your session. To me, this is the most important part of the session. As moms, we often fail to document our interaction with our children. This first birthday session offers you an opportunity to document your love for your child.

What if You don’t want Family Photos?

I will always encourage parents to get into the frame with their children. With that being said, I will not pressure anyone to do anything that he/she is uncomfortable with. There are some clients that only want their child photographed and I completely respect that. I have packages for both milestone sessions or a family session.

Is there enough time in a session to do both family photos and a cake Smash?

Absolutely. I capture this type of session often for my clients and even when their are siblings involved, I am able to dedicate time to each portion of the session. I always leave the cake smash for the very end because the baby will get messy and can sometimes get cranky afterwards. Prior to the session, I will capture all of those must have moments of your family.

What time of Year is best for outdoor portraits?

When you live in the sunshine state, anytime of year is a good one for outdoor photos. As a St Augustine, Florida first birthday photographer, I can schedule a portrait portrait session during any month you would like. Of course, there are cold fronts from time to time, but we can work around that and you can always dress according to the weather.

Recent Beach Cake Smash Session

This little boy was the absolute cutest. We strated the session with some family photos over by the dune and then gradually made our way over to the ocean. We waited until the last 20 inutes of the session to do the cake smash so we could take advantage of the soft golden light of sunset. Mom brought along a second outfit for the cake samsh portion of the session, which I always advise to do. This will give your gallery a diverse look and many clients want something that is more birthday themed for the cake smash portraits. Here are a few of my favorites from the day.

Are you interested in a cake smash or Family Session? Contact me today.