First Birthday Photography
A first birthday is really two photography jobs. The first is a studio session a few weeks ahead, on a themed set, which is where the invitation image and the framed prints come from. The second is coverage on the day, which is documentary work in a room full of relatives and cake. We do both, and most families book both, because the party is not the place to attempt a portrait.
Ways to book this
- Studio session only — themed set, before the day
- Party coverage only — four to six hours on the day
- Studio + party — booked together, priced together
- Full package — studio, party, cake smash and album
In the session
Everything that comes as standard with a first birthday booking — not a list of optional extras.
After the session
What is delivered, and in what form. Full personal-use rights on every image.
What we would tell you on the first call
Book the studio session at least three weeks before the party if you are printing invitations, because printing takes longer than everybody assumes. On the day itself, do the family group photographs early — within the first hour, before the child is overwhelmed and before half the relatives have drifted outside. Every family that leaves the groups until after the cake ends up chasing people around a car park.
First Birthday — Frequently Asked Questions
Should we book the studio session, the party coverage, or both?+
Most families book both, because they are genuinely two different jobs. The studio session a few weeks ahead is where the invitation image and the framed prints come from. Coverage on the day is documentary work in a room full of relatives. A party is not the place to attempt a portrait, and a studio is not where the day actually happens.
How far ahead should the studio session be?+
At least three weeks before the party if you are printing invitations, and four to five if you want cards posted. Printing consistently takes longer than everyone assumes.
When should the family group photographs happen at the party?+
Within the first hour, before the child is overwhelmed and before half the relatives have drifted outside. Every family that leaves the groups until after the cake ends up chasing people around a car park. Give us twenty minutes early and you get a complete set.
How many photographers come to the party?+
One as standard, two for gatherings above roughly 75 guests. With larger events one photographer is always in the wrong room, and the coverage has holes in it that nothing fixes afterwards.
How quickly do we get the party photographs?+
A highlight set within 72 hours, while everyone is still talking about the day, and the full gallery of 150 to 300 images within three weeks.
Can the cake smash be part of the first birthday booking?+
Yes — the full package covers the studio session, the party, the cake smash and an album. Booked together it is quoted together.
Packages that include this
Sessions bundled the way families actually use them.
All packagesRelated Services
Thinking about a first birthday session?
Tell us the occasion, your child's age and roughly when. You will get availability and a quote the same day — and an honest note if the timing would be better a few weeks either side.
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