This absolutely gorgeous baby showed up to her 1st birthday session sleepy from the car ride. But then… it was showtime. The moment I brought my camera out, it was like someone flipped a switch. Out came the sweetest smiles with the most adorable dimples, twinkling eyes, and heart-melting baby charm. She knew exactly what to do and completely owned the spotlight.
I can’t believe a year has flown by since this beautiful baby girl’s newborn photoshoot. And truly…she is SO gorgeous. Her lashes are so stunning and her dimples are absolutely darling. I also got to photograph her at 6 months, so I was thrilled when her momma brought her back for her 1st birthday photos!
Her first birthday session was all things pink and precious. I loved how she kept cuddling the stuffed animals in my studio, she is so sweet! Nothing says “birthday girl” quite like an adorable pink dress and crown. She loved her cake and big brother joined in for some fun too.
Looking to Capture Your Baby’s First Birthday?
A milestone photoshoot is a beautiful way to freeze time and remember these fleeting, precious moments. Let’s make your vision a reality and show off your little one! See my session options here.
There’s something so special about the bond between sisters—and this duo made their sisters photoshoot so much fun from the moment they stepped in front of the camera. Big sister kept telling her little sister how cute she looked — it was so sweet! They both looked absolutely adorable. Big sister is turning 5 this summer, and we couldn’t let the moment pass without snapping a few birthday portraits to celebrate the occasion.
Scroll through for some of my favorite shots from this darling session!
This adorable crew of cousins (two sets of siblings) came to me after winning a session I donated to Gifts of Joy through a silent auction. From the moment they arrived, the session was bursting with energy and chaos— it was so much fun and they are all such beautiful kids! Adding to the joy, both baby girls had recently turned one, so I made sure to capture some photos to celebrate their first birthday milestones too.
I’m also grateful to have the opportunity to support an incredible cause. From their website, “Gifts of Joy is a 100% volunteer-run nonprofit dedicated to bringing joy, hope, and encouragement to children battling cancer and their families. What began in 2018 as a small toy drive in Temecula, CA has grown into a multi-state movement, now serving 14 hospital units across Southern California and Tennessee. Through toy drives, care packages, and hospital support programs, we strive to uplift spirits, ease burdens, and remind every child and family that they are seen, loved, and never alone. Hospitals now rely on our year-round gifts and encouragement initiatives to bring comfort and support when it’s needed most.”
To learn more about Gifts of Joy or to get involved, visit their website and see how you can help bring a little extra light to families facing their hardest days.
Now to show off some highlights from this adorable cousins photoshoot!
This little beauty lit up the camera with her darling personality, gorgeous hair, and the cutest smile! I had so much fun capturing her 4th birthday photos—it was such a fun session from start to finish. I loved every minute of capturing her special milestone.
Birthday sessions like this are such a sweet way to freeze time and celebrate who they are right now. Four is one of my favorite ages, always such an extra cute phase in childhood!
This post is looooong overdue (I think she’s over 3 months old now), but I had to finally share! I just about fell over when I saw this little beauty’s gorgeous red hair—truly a showstopper from the very first moment! She was a dream to photograph and absolutely beautiful. It’s sessions like hers that remind me why I love capturing newborn photos so much—each little one is completely unique!
Booking Newborn Photos: What You Need to Know
The first few weeks with a new baby go by in a blur—and it’s such a special moment in time to capture before it slips away.
The best time to book your newborn session is before your baby arrives—ideally during your early third trimester. This ensures you have a spot on my calendar, usually within the first 5-14 days after birth, when babies are sleepiest and most easily posed, making it easier to capture those peaceful, curled-up portraits everyone loves.
Happy birthday to this handsome baby boy! Enjoy some highlights from his fun and messy cake smash session!
We kicked things off with some classic portraits to capture his adorable personality before it was time to dig into the cake. Once the cake was in front of him, he dove right in. Happy 1st birthday, sweet boy! You smashed that cake like a pro!
This baby girl’s first 1st birthday photos were such a fun milestone to photograph! We started the session with some sweet portraits to capture her adorable personality. She wasted no time and was all about that cake—and was so sweet trying to offer some to everyone else! Enjoy some overdue highlights from her first birthday photoshoot!
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Want to know more about my cake smash sessions? I have photographed hundreds of babies and lots of cake smashes over the years. My style is clean and timeless so I like to keep the background more basic to draw the focus to the baby, but when you book your session, you’ll fill out a questionnaire to customize your session however you’d like.
A cake smash can be included in any of my Baby Sessions. I also offer a Mini Cake Smash session option. You will need to bring the cake (more info below). I have a variety of cake stands, cake toppers, banners, lots of baby girl dresses/outfits and bows/headbands/ crowns/flower crowns, and some baby boy outfit and hat options too. And of course you’re welcome to bring anything of your own, including any themed items you might be using for a special birthday party.
Cake Recommendations:
Cake color: I recommend white cake with white frosting or naked cakes for cake smashes. Otherwise pale or light frosting/cake is recommended (avoid dark colors, red, or neon).
Frosting: Whipped cream frosting tends to be easier for babies to swallow and is also easier to clean off, but regular buttercream is ok too. Remember to bring something for your baby to drink at the session as frosting usually makes babies thirsty! Also, feel free to bring little puffs, cheerios, or yogurt drops if your baby likes them. Some babies are hesitant to touch the cake, so putting a couple of those little treats on top usually helps to encourage them.
Fondant: For safety reasons, I recommend avoiding fondant, as it can be a choking hazard for babies.
Cake Size: This is completely up to personal preference, but I recommend a 2-3 layer 6 inch cake.
Cake Stands: I have several cake stands to choose from if you need one for your session (gold, silver, white, wood, wood slice, etc).
Grocery store bakeries usually offer affordable cakes for baby’s first birthday. Many will even give you a free little smash cake if you tell them it’s your baby’s 1st birthday.
Alternate options: Want to do something a little different? Cupcakes, donuts, cookies, pancakes, waffles, watermelon or other fruits are some cute options!
Specialty cake bakers: I can provide a list of some possible bakers to order a cake from if you need. Most require at least a couple of weeks in advance to reserve a cake, and their prices and policies vary.
Welcome to the world, baby girl! She’s already a couple months old as I’m finally getting around to highlighting her session, but here we go! This sweet little girl’s newborn photoshoot was nothing short of dreamy. She gave me such a good mix of sleepy shots, awake portraits, and sweet little smiles. Newborn sessions are some of my favorites! It’s always such an honor to help families preserve these first fleeting days, when everything is brand new. I had a blast meeting this cute family and their two little girls. I have no doubt they’ll be besties for life!
Getting to capture newborn photos with 3 generations is so special! This cute family brought maternal grandparents and their two little boys for their second son’s newborn photoshoot. Welcoming a new baby is a momentous occasion, and one of the best ways to preserve these early memories is through a newborn photoshoot. These photos not only celebrate the new arrival, but also capture the bond between generations and the excitement of a growing family.