First Birthday Family Portraits in the Studio | Nicole Hawkins Photography
First Birthday Family Portraits in the Studio
There are so many ways to celebrate a first birthday, but one of my favorites is with timeless portraits that capture your baby’s personality and the love surrounding them.
This beautiful Maplewood studio session was exactly that — a joyful milestone for a family who wanted something elevated and heartfelt to mark their baby’s first year.
When this mom reached out, she said, “I’m looking to book a photo session for my child’s first birthday and would like to include the whole family — mom, dad, and big sister — in some of the photos.”
I loved that right away. Milestone sessions that include parents and siblings tell a much fuller story: who your child is, and the people who adore them most.
Planning a First Birthday Session That Includes the Whole Family
Before the session, we discussed wardrobe ideas and the overall tone they wanted — a balance of formal and fun.
The family chose classic black clothing, with dad in a suit jacket, for a sophisticated look on my hand-painted Oliphant Studio backdrop. Mom let me know that 11 year old Zahra already had a black dress picked out and was all good with hair and makeup.
Then we planned to transition into a lighter, airy setup in my white studio area for more relaxed, candid images.
This dual approach created variety and emotion — heirloom portraits for the wall, plus bright, joyful images that show the family’s natural connection.
Studio Portraits on the Hand-Painted Oliphant Backdrop
There’s something special about photographing a family dressed in all black against a textured, painterly backdrop.
The simplicity of the palette lets expression and connection take center stage. Dad’s jacket added just the right amount of polish, while mom and the girls brought warmth and softness to balance it.
The result was timeless — portraits that feel classic and refined, yet full of life. These are the kinds of images that only become more meaningful with time.
Bright and Airy Family Photos in the White Studio Space
After creating the formal portraits, we switched to the white studio area for something brighter and more relaxed.
The family loved the happy, casual vibe of this stylish matching black sweatsuit session, so we drew inspiration from that — everyone barefoot, sitting comfortably on the floor, laughing together.
These moments captured the playfulness of early parenthood and the natural joy of being together.
The baby’s expressions were pure sweetness, and the contrast between the elegant black portraits and the airy, light images made for a perfect gallery balance.
Why Skip the Cake?
Although many first-birthday sessions include a cake smash, this family preferred to keep the focus on connection and personality.
I love that choice — milestone portraits don’t need props to feel special.
The real magic comes from the way a one-year-old looks at their parents, the way big sister makes them laugh, or the way they’re just beginning to explore the world with wonder.
These details tell the story of your child’s first year far better than frosting ever could.
Why Families Love Studio First Birthday Portraits
Studio milestone sessions are stress-free, elegant, and versatile.
There’s no need to worry about the weather, and every detail — from light to backdrop to wardrobe — is designed intentionally.
For parents who want portraits that feel clean, modern, and timeless, the studio provides the perfect canvas.
If you’d like to see another take on a modern, refined family studio session, visit my studio portrait page or my recent post on studio and outdoor senior portraits in New Jersey to see how different lighting and styling approaches create unique results for each family.
Plan Your First Birthday Family Session
Whether you’re marking your baby’s first birthday, celebrating a milestone, or simply ready for updated portraits of your growing family, my Maplewood studio offers both formal and playful setups to fit your vision.
We’ll plan wardrobe, colors, and tone together so your portraits feel polished yet full of heart.