If you ever wondered how you should celebrate your baby's first birthday when they won't remember a thing about it, then I have the answer for you - a first birthday family photoshoot.

Over the years I’ve capture so many first birthday photoshoots, I must admit it’s the most wonderful way to celebrate such an important milestone both for the baby and the parents. Taking family photos is important, it's an easily accessible time machine that will bring back the most wonderful of memories. Especially these days, when a lot of families are spread out in different countries (or on different continents).

Your baby is ONE. Whatever you decide to organise for your little one’s special day, it is worth documenting it with a family photoshoot for these reasons:

The best gift for your baby

What is the best gift for 1st birthday? Babies do not care about fancy outfits, large parties or extravagant gifts. They need attention, love and cuddles, the precise ingredients that will allow a professional photographer to capture some wonderful tangible memories for you and your little one. With family photography I always want to capture how you feel for each other and the images captured for the baby’s first birthday will allow your son or daughter to travel in time and see all the love and adoration. Truly the best gift for your baby!

A wonderful way to include extended family members

Family gatherings are joyful, but can also be a bit chaotic, therefore it’s worth having a professional photographer to capture all the fun and loving moments of connection.

Not to forget that with the pandemic, we’ve been all deprived of hugging our parents, grandparents, seeing cousins and organising birthday gatherings. For families spread in different countries, like mine, we didn't even get the chance to see each other. So many joyful moments that would have been and so many cuddles that were never given. It's a little heart-breaking, but I do hope Summer 2021 will be the season things change, that we will all be able to travel far and wide to see our loved ones, including for birthday celebrations.

If anything, the pandemic showed how important it is to have photos and tangible mementos of our time together with extended family. If you had a baby during this time, there’s no better occasion to get everyone together than for your little one’s first birthday. All you have to do is enjoy each other’s company and you will receive an album with the most wonderful memories.

Celebrate parenthood

After having my baby, someone asked me recently if I shoot differently now that I am a mum myself. Truth be told, no, the same things inspire me now as they did before: joy, love, capturing the love and emotion between parents and children. However, I understand MORE the value of these photos. Time is a thief and family photos are the only weapon against it. I can preserve those special moments, those cute baby rolls, those long tight hugs...

Family photography is a time machine to every cute little thing and every loving moment you want to remember, revisit and celebrate your jour parenthood journey.

Getting everyone in the frame

Unless it’s a selfie, someone is always missing from the family photos. It’s either mum or dad; or maybe a grandparent. For such a joyous occasion as a baby’s first birthday, I believe everyone deserves to relax and be a part of the celebrations. Let a photographer do the running around and capture the magic of the day.

A fun way to capture siblings interactions

You’ve made it, you survived one year with two (or more!) kids under one roof. If this is not something worth celebrating and documenting, I do not know what is :-)

The beauty of family routine

If you are like me and prefer quiet celebrations instead of parties, that’s just as perfect. We can capture your little one’s milestones (first steps, new tooth, blowing kisses) and the loving routine which makes family life so wonderful - reading together, playing with your beloved pets, enjoying your daily walk or playing silly games at home. Picture perfect means real and that’s where my art lies.

If you’re planning a first birthday photoshoot this year or a family gathering and you’d like me to capture all those months of missed cuddles squished into one special day, please get in touch. A lifetime of memories starts here.