Olivia is One! - First Birthday Session

Olivia was ONE-derful to have in the studio! I so enjoyed her personality and adorable facial expressions. She is so smart too, taking instruction like a seasoned pro. For her First Birthday session, her mommy wanted something clean and simple. I complimented her precious tulle gown with some muted gold balloons. We also took a few shots on “Lamby,” her favorite rocking horse…er, lamb…from home. What a perfect prop! Lamby brought some big smiles! It’s always a great idea to bring a favorite toy from home, especially if it compliments the color scheme.

I just happened to have the flower wall in the studio at the time of Olivia’s session, so we took a few shots in front of the purple flowers, as well. Olivia changed into the cutest lace romper and pearls - perfect for the old-time elegance of the purple and mauve roses.

Thanks for visiting me, Olivia! Happy 1st Birthday!

Nico is One! - First Birthday Session

Nico has Mastered his first year! I was so excited for the chance to do a Masters-themed photo shoot. My husband is a big golf fan, and has been to the Masters, so I understand the admiration people have for the tournament and all it entails. Everything from the food, to the etiquette, to the iconic green jacket has special meaning. Nico’s daddy is going to The Masters this year, and to coincide with this exciting pilgrimage to Augusta, Nico’s parents chose to carry out the theme for his early April birthday party!

The Masters is a classic, renowned event, so I was thinking rich neutral tones, and an antique golf club would make for great props. Nico’s mommy brought the amazing baby Masters jacket, which couldn’t have been more perfect! We also scattered some golf balls throughout, and had a toy golf cart for Nico to play with. Giving Baby something to do during their session, always makes for some great captures.

Nico’s Mommy also had this most adorable baby Masters hat!

We ended his session with a “Hole in 1” smash cake to celebrate his milestone first year. This little guy smiled all through it. He was a joy, and this theme was super fun. Happy 1st, Nico!

Amelia is One! - First Birthday Session

I was so honored to do Amelia’s session, as she had traveled all the way from North Carolina for it! Six and a half years ago, I did her big sister’s first birthday photos when the family lived here in the Pittsburgh area. They had since moved, but knew they’d be home visiting family, so reached out to see if I could do their newest addition’s photos, as well.

When I heard Amelia would be wearing a sweet, simple rose colored dress, I immediately pictured it against a vintage wood background, and added some simple classic touches as props. Technically, Amelia turned one a few months ago, so we didn’t want these images to scream birthday as much as just highlighting her one-year-old self. Classic and sweet.

When I photographed Big Sister all those years ago, she was in this exact galvanized tub, but with a light pink dress, so we wanted to try to capture the same look for Amelia, but with a different shade.

I also knew that I had done some O - N - E shots with her big sis, so I pulled those letters out to be used, as well. Mommy and Daddy can look back on the girls’ first year with similar images to compare or display in their home.

We ended by pulling away the props, and getting some simple shots of Amelia clapping and playing. I love it how all babies seem to love, “so big!!!”

Happy 1st Birthday, Sweet Girl!

Emma is One! - First Birthday Session

Emma is one of my “First Year Special” babies, meaning her parents purchased a package including Newborn, Baby Portrait, and First Birthday sessions. This means that I had the absolute pleasure of capturing her cuteness at different stages throughout her first year.

For her First Birthday Session, her parents chose the theme “Lucky One” since she was born the day before St. Patrick’s Day! They requested pastel rainbow colors inspired by the marshmallow shapes in Lucky Charms cereal, which were used as decor at her first birthday party.

Besides bringing along her Lucky Charms, Emma brought along an array of expressions, her sweet cheeks, and an appetite for birthday cake! Once this cutie got started on her smash cake, she really enjoyed herself. I loved seeing her again, and wish her all the luck and birthday wishes!

Sadie is One! - First Birthday Session

This little sweetie is turning the Sweet ONE! Sadie has had quite the first year, becoming a big sister shortly before her first birthday! Her family is planning to celebrate her next month with a candy themed party, so for her session, I decorated the set-up with bright, playful colors, and classic sweets; lollipop, gumballs, gumdrops, and of course - cake!

She is as sweet as her onesie says she is - Miss Sadie was smiley for all her pictures, and really enjoyed her cake. Happy 1st Birthday, Sugar!

Daphne is One! - First Birthday Session

Daphne is one of my First Year Special babies, meaning her parents purchased a package to capture her as a newborn, sitter, and one-year-old. I love working with her family - she is the fourth child I’ve photographed for them - so this session was a real treat.

Daphne was born on Valentine’s Day, so her color scheme was inspired by the pastels of conversation hearts - which is also the theme for her First Birthday party. She was such an angel in the studio, giving me smiles as sweet as vday candy. I was fortunate to have her big sisters present to help coax the smiles, as well as the assistance of Daphne’s favorite songs from Wicked (a girl after my own heart).

Happy 1st Birthday, Little Valentine!

Taytum is One! - First Birthday Session

I am always thrilled when a client books a “First Year Special” with me. This provides them three sessions for the approximate price of two. They can use these sessions whenever they’d like, but most use them for newborn, baby (around 6 months), and first birthday portraits. It’s a great way to document the ever-changing first year of life.

I’ve worked with the M family many times before, and loved to see them again this past year with the birth of their 3rd child Miss Taytum! For Taytum’s First Birthday session we did a warm, feminine color palette that also complimented the time of year (late Fall). This baby doll was a joy to work with, and I’m happy to know I will see her and her beautiful family again in the future.

Emery is One! - First Birthday Session

I love a theme, and Emery had a great one - Apple Pie! The reason behind it is especially sweet. When Emery’s parents were expecting her, they didn’t know if they were having a son or daughter, so they referred to their baby-to-be as Sweetie Pie. After Emery was born, they continued their pie theme with her monthly pictures, as Mommy baked a different pie for each month. So, of course, when it came to choosing a First Birthday theme, it was obviously going to be pie! An apple pie was just right for her Fall birthday.

Happy 1st Birthday, Emery!

Evelyn is One! - First Birthday Session

It has been a pleasure to capture little Evelyn throughout her first year. This darling girl is so precious, as is big sissy Hadley. The girls looked like two miniature princesses running around the Hartwood Mansion garden. Every time I do a session there, I feel like I am in England at a stately manor. I was a little disappointed by the lack of blooms in the area for early May, but the M Family brought all the beauty we needed to get some great shots.

Happy 1st Birthday, Sweet Evie!

Eli is One! - First Birthday Session

This is ONE cool dude. I was so excited to meet Eli and his family for this gnarly session at North Park. From the straight brim hat to the micro Vans, this guy was decked out in skater style, ending his session in the cutest checkered suspenders for his cake smash. He was so squishy and adorable!

Happy 1st Birthday, Eli!

Sawyer is One! - First Birthday Session

This boy has stolen my heart!

Sawyer and his big sisters hung out with me on the hottest day of the year for his First Birthday Session, but it was his sweet giggles that truly had me melting . These little mommies were so very attentive to their baby brother, and helped me to get his attention and make him laugh.

Between the laughter, love, and smiles, Sawyer blew lots of raspberries, and played with his tootsies. It has been an honor to capture him for this exciting milestone. Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy! God bless you!

Nelle is One! - First Birthday Session

It has been my pleasure to capture sweet baby Nelle from bump to baby to big girl! She is a real joy to photograph! For her First Birthday session, we explored her family’s beautiful backyard, which also happens to be the location of her mom’s maternity photos exactly one year prior. On the day of the maternity session, the property was covered with purple wildflowers, which we incorporated into the session, so of course, we had to do the same for the first birthday.

In addition to the flowers, we also did a cake smash, featuring the pearls of Nelle’s great-great-grandmother, her namesake, and also a strawberry milk bath! It’s strawberry season, and felt so appropriate for this little country girl.

Happy 1st Birthday to this lil’ strawberry shortcake!

Elliana is One! - First Birthday Session

It was a joy to work with Elliana and her mommy for her first birthday session! I loved the daisy theme they carried out, as well as the milk bath! Milk baths are a super fun way to photograph a baby for their first birthday. A small amount of milk combined with lukewarm water creates a dreamy, opaque background to really highlight baby’s features. It also gives us a chance to add some fun, little floatable props like flowers, leaves, or pinecones to the mix. Lastly, it bounces light onto baby’s face to get some really angelic shots, which was easy to accomplish with this one as Ellie was all smiles!

Happy 1st Birthday, Sweetheart!

Walker is One! - First Birthday Session

Walker is almost ONE!

This darling boy is my first outdoor session of 2023! It feels so good to be outside again, and the night of Walker’s session brought spring-like temps and warm, golden sunlight. The winter was long and slow for me this year, but sessions are finally booking up as the days grow longer. Photographing Walker and his mama was a great way to kick things off. For this session, they opted for all neutral colors, and rustic overalls, as his first birthday party is a farm themed “Holy Cow! Walker’s One!”. So fun!

I hope you have the best birthday party, Sweetheart! It was a pleasure meeting you!

William is One! - First Birthday Session

I’ve had the pleasure of photographing William over the past year, as his family purchased the First Year Special package, which includes 3 sessions (newborn, baby, and first birthday) for the price of 2! Being that he’s a winter birthday, we captured his session in the comfort and warmth of his own home. We also included some family pictures, as my sessions are always customizable to whatever the client would like!

Thank you for allowing me to share in your first year, sweet William! Happy Birthday!

Lexi is One! - First Birthday Session

Little Miss Lexi was positively glowing for her First Birthday Session in Cranberry Woods. This sweet fashionista started the session with some family shots, and then changed into her flower crown for a few on her own. Although she was feeling most comfortable in Mommy’s arms, we still got some great smiley shots. What is more beautiful than a child loving on their parents? That smile certainly says it all.

Atticus is One! - First Birthday Session

The Force is strong with this ONE.

I adore a good theme, and bonus points if Mommy and Daddy bring props! Atticus’ parents are big fans of Star Wars, as are their little guys, so bringing along some of their favorite toys was an easy way to enhance the photos, as well as keep Atticus engaged. In addition to this, his SUPER TALENTED mom made these costumes especially for the session. The most amazing part? They’re no-sew! She fashioned these masterpieces using only hot glue. Amazing!

Happy 1st Birthday, Atticus!

Hadley is One! - First Birthday Session

It was wonderful to spend a warm June evening with Hadley and her family. She looked so adorable frolicking in the golden sunlight, chasing bubbles, and collecting rocks and pinecones. This little sweetie loves nature, and it was fun to catch her in her element. I was fortunate to document her life from newborn to first birthday, and it was a joy to watch her grow.

Happy 1st Birthday, Hadley!

Franco is One! - First Birthday Mini Session

Oh Franco! I just loved meeting you! This lil man was so sweet for his 1st birthday pictures. I’m a big fan of baby boys wearing classic looks, and Franco looked precious in his seersucker and knee socks! I wish him all the kisses, hugs, and happiness as he turns one - it’ll be an exciting year for this big-brother-to-be!

Ellie is One! - First Birthday Session

This First Birthday Session rounds out a full year of capturing Ellie! Her family purchased the First Year Special, as they also did for their oldest daughter, and received three sessions; newborn, baby, and birthday, for the price of two! I’ve truly enjoyed working with the W family for the past 3 years. They have the sweetest daughters, and such a well-behaved dog! Ellie made us work hard for her smiles, but once we got them, it was so worth it! Check out that little bottom tooth!

Happy 1st Birthday, Sweet Girl!