I know that an indoor first birthday session is not always the vision that families have when planning that important milestone for their child, but an indoor first birthday session can be just as special as an outdoor one. Frequently, clients like to combine their first birthday sessions with a portrait session of the family, portrait session of the child turning one, and a cake smash. This can easily be done as an in-home session, too, though! You don’t need a huge house either.
One of my favorite sessions of 2022 was this indoor first birthday session in North Beach. Because of covid, this cutie didn’t get newborn photos, so they wanted to ensure they didn’t miss the milestone. (And just to help my families feel safe, I’m happy to wear a K95 mask the entire time. I do this for every newborn session now no matter what!)
Because they didn’t get to document the nursery in the newborn session, we started with some photos in his room. Getting family photos was important, as was getting the decor! I wanted to show the milestones, as well… standing up assisted in the crib. Sitting up on his floor. All the fun details of their story with an almost one year old!
From there, we moved into the family room for a true lifestyle, documentary experience and some lifestyle portraits. We pulled out toys and mom and dad played. So often, parents are not BOTH in these photos with their kid…either mom or dad snaps away on the smart phone. This sweet family of three let me see them playing and loving on the boy just like they normally would (maybe without the comfy sweats though).
Once I had enough family moments, we switched to birthday portraits using the theme for Where the Wild Things Are/Wild One. I just needed an empty wall, and bam…portrait time. He wasn’t crazy about the crown, and he did need a snack break. Being home meant we had all of the comforts needed to address the hunger and keep him comfortable with any stranger danger.
After the portraits, it was time for cake smash. We faced his chair so it would get good light, and luckily we had a neutral wall. I was able to capture everything I would have captured outside, including all of the details. The best part: he could hop right in the bath and take a nap as soon as the cake smash was done! As a mom of a kiddo with a February birthday, I know how important it is to make an indoor first birthday session just as special as an outdoor one. I think we succeeded with this session. Indoor can be just as special, and my heart loved all the details and documentary moments.
If you are interested in booking a session, send an email to me at teresa@tcjdesign.com or head over to my contact page! I usually book at least three months out, so be sure to get on my calendar early!
