Parker’s First Birthday in the Studio | Maplewood NJ First Birthday Photography Studio
Baby and Dog First Birthday Portraits in Our Maplewood NJ Studio
First Birthday Photography at Our Maplewood NJ Studio
Celebrating a first birthday milestone in the studio is so special. At my Maplewood NJ first birthday photography studio, families enjoy a clean, modern space designed to highlight your baby’s personality without overwhelming props or distractions. Each session is planned with care, ensuring your little one feels comfortable and happy while we capture portraits that you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
Do you remember Parker’s in-home newborn session in their Hoboken home? Or her 6-month session in their home and outdoors? I am so excited to share her first birthday photoshoot with parents and her pup in my Maplewood, NJ photography studio. It has been such a privilege and joy to beautifully document her first year with gorgeous photos. Parker’s family has since moved from Hoboken to a gorgeous home in Chatham, NJ, and she is going to be a big sister soon. I can’t wait to continue the beautiful tradition of milestone photos for Parker and her baby sister.
Timeless Studio Portraits for Baby’s Milestone
First birthdays are about more than just cake — they mark the incredible growth of your baby’s first year. I focus on creating timeless images that showcase your child’s unique expressions, curiosity, and joy. With soft light, neutral tones, and simple styling, these portraits remain classic long after the trendier photos have passed.
If you baby was born in winter, like Parker, the studio is the perfect place to create timeless birthday portraits for this sweet milestone. While spring outdoors is lovely, it doesn’t truly warm up in New Jersey until May, and the unpredictable rain makes scheduling outdoor sessions tough. We wanted to celebrate Parker’s birthday with sweet cake photos, but also focus on the milestone of her walking and leaving the baby days for the toddler stage. We had a framed fine art print of her as a newborn, a beautiful sitting portrait from her 6-month session, and I had a vision for her first birthday portrait.
Baby and Dog First Birthday Portraits
Should you include your pup in your baby’s first birthday portraits? Yes!
For many families, their pup was their first baby, and it only feels right to include them in such an important milestone. I welcome dogs into the studio so we can create baby and dog first birthday portraits that are joyful, sweet, and true to your family story. If you have a well behaved dog, you should absolutely ask about including them in our studio photography session.
Including Your Family’s First Baby (the Pup!)
Whether your dog sits patiently next to your baby or leans in for a curious lick of frosting, these moments are often the most cherished. Including your pup shows the love between all members of your family — furry or not — and creates images you’ll look back on with a smile.
I was so happy to have Parker’s pup join in the session, as one of my ideas for the final piece in the frame set was an updated portrait of the two of them. We ended up selecting a beautiful, happy walking image of Parker to frame, but the images of Parker and her pup make me so happy, and Mom and Dad loved them, too.
Sweet and Playful Interactions to Remember
Dogs bring spontaneity and joy into a session. Sometimes we intentionally include them, like in these sweet basket photos, and other times they hop into the frame during cake time or quietly show up to snuggle by your baby’s side. No matter what, these interactions add personality and warmth to your portraits, making them even more meaningful.
Cake Smash but Simple and Refined
Many families love to include a cake smash during their session, and in my studio, it’s done with a minimalist, refined approach. No one has ever searched for a “New Jersey Cake Smash Photographer” and left my studio with only messy photos.
Whether your baby enjoys diving in or prefers to gently explore, the photographs capture the fun in a way that still feels polished and artful. The result is a playful yet elegant set of images that complements your heirloom album or wall gallery beautifully.
For Parker’s session, Mom brought a small, tasteful cake from Splurge Bakery in Milburn, NJ.
Celebrating Family and Connection in Maplewood
My studio sessions are never just about one milestone — they’re about celebrating your whole family and the connections that matter most. From parents and siblings to the family dog, these portraits reflect the love you share and the story you’re building together right here in Maplewood.
Heirloom Artwork to Treasure for Years
Your photographs deserve to live beyond a screen. I help families create custom artwork, from handcrafted albums to wall galleries, so your baby’s first birthday portraits become a part of your home and your family legacy.
Clients who order a set of three or more frames (or a statement piece) and live within 30 minutes of the studio are offered complimentary installation. After we have decided on the right placement, my professionals will come to you and install your new artwork. Parker’s room in her new home was beautifully decorated, and the space between the windows was perfect to finally put the three companion pieces together.
A Relaxed Experience for Parents, Kids, and Pets
Every detail is designed to make your experience stress-free, from wardrobe guidance to a calm, welcoming studio environment. Parents can relax, kids can be themselves, pups are lovingly welcomed, and together we’ll create portraits that feel effortless yet extraordinary.
