Why Your First Birthday Photoshoot Deserves the Same Love as Your Newborn Session

When you’re pregnant, everyone tells you to book the newborn photoshoot. And rightly so.. Those first sleepy, squishy days fly by in a blur of tiny socks and Vinted deliveries you don’t remember ordering.. they’re always a fun surprise though.

But here’s the thing that often gets overlooked: your baby’s first birthday photoshoot is just as special.

As a newborn and family photographer here in York (and as a mum of two little girls, aged three and six months), I can promise you this: the milestone of turning one is huge, and it deserves to be captured in all its glory.

When my eldest turned one, I remember looking at her and thinking: How on earth did we get here already? One minute she was snoozing on my chest in newborn nappies, the next she was wobbling around the living room, proudly clutching a breadstick like it was an Olympic torch.

That first year changes everything. Your baby goes from a sleepy little bundle to a mini human with personality, quirks, and (in my daughter’s case) a strong opinion about broccoli. The first birthday photoshoot is the perfect way to celebrate that transformation.

Why First Birthday Photoshoots Matter (in York!)

If you’re Googling baby photographer York or first birthday photoshoot near me, you’re probably wondering if it’s really worth booking another professional session so soon after your newborn shoot.

Here’s why I say a big fat YES:

• It’s a once-in-a-lifetime milestone – You only turn one once (thank goodness, because cake smashes are messy).
• You see their personality shine – At one, babies giggle, clap, crawl, wobble-walk, and show off their cheeky little selves.
• The photos become family treasures – Imagine looking back when they’re 18 and seeing how cheeky they were at just one.
• It’s less sleepy, more silly – Newborn shoots are calm and serene. First birthday sessions are all about laughter, mess, and big grins.

And if you’re local, there’s something extra special about celebrating that milestone in York – whether it’s a cosy studio shoot with balloons and cake or an outdoor golden-hour session in one of our beautiful parks.

A Personal Confession (Or: Why My 3-Year-Old Thinks Cake is a Food Group)

When my eldest had her first birthday photoshoot, she absolutely destroyed the cake. Like, full head-first dive into the buttercream.

Now, she’s three, and whenever she sees me setting up a cake smash in the studio for another baby, she gets this look like, Where’s mine? (Sorry, love. Once a year is enough.)

And my youngest? She’s only six months, so we’ve still got six more months to go before her first birthday session. I’m equal parts excited and terrified. If her current love of mushed-up sweet potato is anything to go by, we are in for a very enthusiastic cake smash.

What to Expect at a First Birthday Photoshoot in York

A lot of parents worry about whether their one-year-old will “perform” for the camera. Let me reassure you: the session is all about going with the flow.

Here’s what happens:

• We’ll start with some family portraits (so yes, mums and dads, you’ll be in the frame too—no hiding).
• Then it’s time for some fun milestone shots—standing, clapping, giggling.
• Finally, if you fancy it, we’ll dive into a cake smash. It’s messy. It’s hilarious. And it’s one of my favourite parts of the job.

The best part? You don’t have to worry about the clean-up. That’s all on me (and my ever-faithful studio mop).

Your baby’s first birthday isn’t just another day, it’s the celebration of your first year of parenthood too. You’ve survived the sleepless nights, the endless laundry, and the teething dramas. You deserve photos that show the joy, the chaos, and the sheer brilliance of that first year.

So if you’ve already had your newborn photoshoot in York (and if not, it’s never too late to start!), don’t stop there. Give your little one’s first birthday photoshoot the same love and attention. Trust me—it’s the milestone you’ll look back on and laugh about for years to come.

And if you’re still on the fence, just remember: babies don’t stay little, but cake smash photos last forever.

Feel free to explore my website for more information and to see some of the photography I’ve captured. Have questions? Send me a little message here!

Best wishes,

Lucy xx