One and Only: How a First Birthday Photoshoot Can Capture the Joy and Personality of Your Little ONE
Ah, the joys of parenting a one-year-old. It's a magical time, full of wonder, discovery, and endless snuggles.
But let's be real, it's also a time of challenges and surprises. As a parent, you quickly learn that nothing is quite as unpredictable as a one-year-old. One minute they're giggling and cooing, and the next minute they're throwing a tantrum over something as simple as the wrong colour sippy cup.
Although even in those moments, there's a certain kind of joy that comes with knowing that you're doing the most important job in the world: raising a child.
As a parent myself, I can tell you that it's both exhilarating and bittersweet to watch your little one grow and change so quickly. My kids are now 10 and 11 and I swear to Oprah that it was only a few months ago that they were yelling "Wake up wiggle" at the TV. And for time context - it wasn't at "Lachie" purple Wiggle, but Jeff purple Wiggle.
- My Own Delights -
We interrupt this blog to bring you important news regarding first birthday photoshoots ....
FREE BIRTHDAY PHOTOSHOOT
All newborn sessions booked with Family Photography by Natarsha March are gifted a complimentary birthday photoshoot to use any time before your baby is 18 months old. Simply message Natarsha to secure your ideal date.
Now, back to my story....
I remember when my first daughter took her first steps. It was in our lounge the week before her first birthday. She had never "4-point crawled", just rolled around or commando crawled through our living space. This particular day, she was holding on to a play table and reached out towards me. One wobbly step was quickly followed by another before collapsing into my waiting cuddle. It was a magical moment, one that still tears me up and I'll never forget.
- Baby Sophie had just started walking at one year old -
But as much as I wanted to freeze time and savor that moment forever, I knew that I couldn't. Time would march on, and my baby girl would continue to grow and change. Sophie is now nearly 12 and is EXACTLY the same height as of me (I won't hear otherwise). She says she's bigger, and to be fair it's possibly only a matter of weeks before she is - maybe it will be the week before her birthday again - wouldn't that be something?
My point is, this is why I believe that capturing memories of the first year of parenthood is so important: they just grow too quickly.
You might not be able to slow time down in real life, but you can freeze little bits of it with photography. A first birthday photoshoot is a beautiful way to celebrate not just your child's milestones but your parenting milestones as well, and lock down lasting memories to treasure for years to come.
I know as a parent, you want to capture every moment of your child's first year and with phone cameras being so freaking good these days, there is no doubt an endless stream of photos on your camera roll of all these sweet family moments. But how many times have you scrolled through your phone looking for a specific photo, only to get lost in the endless stream of blurry snapshots and poorly-lit selfies? And how many times have you pulled out your old photo album, only to discover that half of the photos are out of focus or overexposed?
All my personal photos are either a selfie of me and the kids or a photo I took of my husband and my kids, because A) husbands aren't great at taking photos of wives and B) getting everyone in the family to sit still for one photo is also no easy feat, especially when you have an active one-year-old!
Even when you do manage to wrangle everyone into place, getting that perfect shot can feel like trying to capture a unicorn on camera. There's always someone blinking, someone looking the wrong way, or someone who just can't seem to stop making silly faces.
It's no wonder so many of us resort to the classic "selfie in the mirror" shot or the "hold the phone out at arm's length" technique. But let's be real: those photos rarely turn out the way we want them to and would we really put those on the living room wall?
The truth is, capturing those special moments takes more than just snapping a quick photo on your phone. It takes time, effort, and expertise. Plus, sometimes it's just nice to sit back and let someone else take charge.
That's where a professional photography session comes in. With a professional photographer, you don't have to worry about getting everyone in the shot or capturing that elusive "perfect moment." I'll be there to guide you through the process, help you pose, and capture those special moments in a way that you might not be able to do on your own.You don't have to worry about fumbling with your phone or setting up the perfect shot. You can just relax and enjoy the moment, knowing that I've got this covered.
A big part of the first birthday photoshoot is to capture milestones such as standing up with help, or standing up on their own. Big smiles and cuddles are pretty obvious inclusions as well - no-one smiles as big as a one-year-old playing aeroplane!
With over 11 years of experience in the business, I know just how to capture those fleeting moments that you might miss with your phone with some go-to tricks ready to draw out and capture your child's personality, from their goofy grin to their curious gaze.
And perhaps most importantly, I know how to turn those moments into works of art that you'll be proud to display in your home even when your baby is suddenly a teenager.
If you've made it this far, you're probably already starting to see the value in a first birthday photoshoot. It's a chance to capture those special moments in a way that you might not be able to do on your own, and to create a lasting memory of your first year of parenthood.
The next time you're scrolling through your phone or flipping through your old photo albums, think about about the memories that you might not be preserving in the way that they deserve.
When your child is grown and you're looking back on their first year, what do you want to see? Do you want to see a bunch of blurry, poorly-lit phone photos? Or do you want to see beautiful, professional-grade images that capture the essence of that magical time?
The choice is yours, but I know what I would choose. A first birthday photoshoot is more than just a way to capture memories. It's a chance to celebrate your child, your family, and your journey together. It's a way to honor the past and look forward to the future.
So don't hesitate. Book your first birthday photoshoot today and give yourself and your family a gift that you'll treasure forever. You won't regret it!
FREE FIRST BIRTHDAY PHOTOSHOOT
Remember, if you have had a newborn photoshoot with Family Photography by Natarsha March, you have a FREE birthday photoshoot to use any time before your baby is 18 months old.
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