How is this sweet girl already ONE?!
I feel like we just photographed her newborn session, and somehow we’re already celebrating her first birthday. It is one of my favorite things about being a photographer when I get to see families come back through the years and watch their little ones grow.
She did SO well during her one-year photos at Blush Door Studio. She was happy, curious, and completely ready to celebrate.
And her mom made the whole thing extra special.
Make a First Birthday Session Personal
You don’t need an elaborate theme or a huge production to make first birthday photos meaningful.
The best details are often the ones that actually mean something to your family.
For this session, Mom made the cutest birthday details herself. She made the birthday banner, crown, cake topper, and cake.
And here’s the part that makes it even better: she had only recently learned how to sew!
I mean, look at what she created.
Those little handmade details made the session feel so personal. They’re the kind of things that will be fun to look back on later—not just because they’re adorable, but because they tell part of the story of who Mom was during this season of life.
Don’t Be Afraid to Include the Little Details
When you’re planning a first birthday photography session, think about the things that made your baby’s first year yours.
Maybe it’s a handmade outfit.
Maybe it’s a favorite stuffed animal.
Maybe you have a special blanket, birthday banner, family heirloom, or cake that you want included.
You don’t need to bring everything. Even one or two meaningful details can make a gallery feel much more personal.
For this little girl, the crown and birthday details gave us plenty to photograph without taking away from the most important part of the session: her.
Let Your One-Year-Old Be One
One-year-olds don’t always want to sit perfectly and smile at the camera.
And that’s okay.
In fact, some of my favorite one-year-old photos happen when they’re doing exactly what one-year-olds naturally do—moving around, exploring, looking at their parents, laughing, and showing off their little personalities.
This little girl did so well, which made my job easy. But I also want families to know that your baby doesn’t have to perform for the camera.
We’ll follow their lead.
Sometimes the best photo is the one where they’re looking away, reaching for something, or giving us that completely serious one-year-old expression.
A Studio Is Perfect for Milestone Photos
Blush Door Studio gives us a simple, controlled space where we can focus completely on your baby and all the little details you’ve brought along.
There’s no need to worry about weather, distractions, or finding the perfect outdoor location.
We can keep the setup simple and let your baby’s personality be the focus.
And because milestone sessions are usually fairly quick, having everything in one space makes it easy to move through different setups without overwhelming your little one.
From Newborn to One Year
One of my favorite parts of this session was simply knowing that not long ago, I was photographing this same little girl as a newborn.
The first year goes unbelievably fast.
One minute you’re holding a tiny newborn, and the next you’re chasing a one-year-old around with a birthday crown on her head.
That’s exactly why I love milestone photography.
You don’t just get pictures of what your baby looked like at one year. You get to document the little details of that particular season—their expressions, their personality, what they loved, and the people who were celebrating them.
Planning Your Baby’s First Birthday Photos?
If your baby is getting ready to turn one, don’t feel like you need to create a Pinterest-perfect setup.
Bring the details that matter to you. Let your baby be themselves. And let me worry about capturing the rest.
I photograph milestone sessions at Blush Door Studio in Cache Valley and would love to document this little chapter before it disappears into the next one.
If your baby is getting ready to turn one, reach out to Regie at Kylee Ann Studios and let’s plan a first birthday session that feels completely yours.
Regie is a Preston photographer, wife, mom of two, and middle school teacher who has been photographing people for nearly a decade. She brings a calm, genuine approach to every session and loves making people feel comfortable and cared for.
She specializes in weddings, families, newborns, extended families, and senior portraits throughout Preston, Cache Valley, Logan, Franklin County, and Bear Lake. When she’s not behind the camera, you’ll find her hunting, planning, reading, or enjoying mountain adventures with her family.
October 13, 2026
Regie Carter
