The usual first birthday photo goes like this: a white backdrop, a smash cake, a very confused baby, and icing in places icing should never go.
It's a fun tradition and I understand the appeal. But it's not what I'd want on the wall in twenty years. What I'd want is something that shows what this particular child was like at one, or at two. How they walked. What they were obsessed with. The way they looked at their parents.
That's the kind of birthday session I like to photograph, and it almost always happens outside.
The session that made me love these
This summer I photographed Roman, Olia and their son Evan, who was turning two, in a meadow just south of Cambridge. They brought a handmade linen banner that said "EVAN IS TWO" and we strung it between two young poplars.
Evan sat still in front of it for about four seconds. Then he was off. He brought his teddy bear into half the frames, stuffed Queen Anne's lace into the bib of his overalls, and watched his mum blow apart a dandelion clock as if it were the most astonishing thing he had ever seen.
My favourite frame is the three of them back on the ground in front of the banner, Roman reading him a picture book and Evan looking straight up at me. It has the birthday in it, but it's really about the three of them. You can see the whole session here.
One or two: which birthday is better for photos?
Both are lovely. They're just different sessions.
Around the first birthday, most babies are sitting confidently, crawling fast and maybe pulling up or taking a few steps. They're happy on a blanket and they still like being held. These sessions are slow and close: a lot of laps, little hands, first wobbly steps holding a parent's fingers.
Around the second birthday, children are walking, running and talking, and they have opinions. These sessions move. You get more personality and more laughter, and much less sitting still. I plan for that.
Either way, the session doesn't have to be on the birthday itself. A few weeks before or after is just as good, and gives us room to pick an evening with good weather.
Ideas that work outdoors
A simple banner. Linen, paper, hand-lettered, whatever suits you. It's a gentle way to put the age in the picture without a giant number balloon. Evan's was just his name and his age on linen.
The thing they love most. A teddy, a toy truck, a favourite book. It gives a toddler something to do with their hands, and in twenty years it'll be the detail that makes you catch your breath.
A picture book. Reading together slows everyone down and makes for warm, quiet frames. It also buys me three or four minutes of a two-year-old sitting still.
Flowers and grass to explore. A meadow in summer, fallen leaves in autumn. Children photograph best when they're investigating something, not posing.
Bubbles, used sparingly. They work for a minute or two of delight. After that they're just a sticky distraction.
A small cake, at the end. If you'd like cake in the photos, bring a small one on a plate and save it for the last ten minutes. It's a reward, the light is at its best by then, and nobody has to sit in icing for the rest of the session.
What I'd skip
- Large number balloons. They dominate every frame and look dated quickly.
- Matching birthday outfits with slogans. The words date the photo and draw the eye away from faces.
- A packed prop list. Two or three meaningful things beat a car full of props.
- A strict shot list. Toddlers don't do shot lists. The good photos come from following them.
This is the most important part.
Birthday sessions happen at the age when naps rule the day. I'd rather start after a good nap than chase the perfect sunset with a tired child. In practice, that usually still means late afternoon or the hour before sunset, which is also when the light is softest.
In summer, golden hour can land after bedtime. In that case we go earlier, find open shade, or try a morning session instead. My golden hour guide has the times for each month.
Bring snacks. Bring a spare outfit for the inevitable grass stain. And don't worry about them cooperating. Evan didn't, and it's one of my favourite galleries this year.
Where to do a birthday session
Somewhere with soft ground and room to roam. Open lawns and meadows are ideal for one-year-olds; anywhere with a path and things to look at suits two-year-olds. A few of my favourites near Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge:
- Dickson Park, Cambridge, for wide lawns and old trees. I wrote a full guide to Dickson Park.
- Huron Natural Area, Kitchener, for meadow, forest and a pond in one walk.
- Your own backyard or living room, if it has good afternoon light. Home sessions age beautifully, because the house becomes part of the memory.
More in my list of family photo locations.
What to wear
Soft colours, natural fabrics and room to move. Linen and cotton photograph beautifully and survive grass. For the birthday child, something simple, maybe one special piece like a cardigan or tiny overalls. Barefoot is fine on a lawn and often looks best. My guide to what to wear has palettes by season.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best age for first birthday photos? Anywhere from about 11 to 13 months. Most babies are sitting and crawling confidently and may be taking first steps, which makes for lovely, varied photos.
How long should a birthday photoshoot be? For one child and one location, 30 minutes is often enough, especially at one. For two-year-olds or larger families, an hour gives everyone time to settle.
Should we include a smash cake? If you'd like one, bring a small cake and do it in the last ten minutes. Cake first means a sticky, overexcited child for the rest of the session.
What if my toddler won't sit still? They won't, and that's fine. I photograph them doing what they want to do. Some of the best birthday photos come from the moment they run off.
