5 First Birthday Ideas for Your Baby

Congratulations! You have made it through your first year of parenting.

Whether you are a first time mum or your little one is joining a team of brothers and sisters… This is such a memorable milestone, deserving special celebrations!

It is incredible how much babies develop and change in their first year, from the moment you hold them for the first time, through all of the other beautiful “firsts” you will remember forever - including their first BIG birthday!

So ready to make it extra-special?

Here is our list of 5 first birthday ideas for your baby!

First Birthday Ideas: Create a “time capsule”

Creating a memory box or a time capsule is a beautiful way of documenting your little one’s first year: get a sturdy container, like a metal tin or a plastic box to house these items securely, and decorate the time capsule with your baby's name and birth date for a personalized touch.

Include in your box any special keepsakes, then bury or hide it in a safe place until they are older - and surprise them with it!

Here is a small list of things you could include in the time capsule:

1. Photos - lots and lots of photos, as these become even more precious as the time passes. Of course, if you had a newborn photoshoot with them don’t forget to include those photos!

2. A newspaper from the day of their birthday or (alternative) a local newspaper from the same week.

3. Ask grandparents and other family members to write letters you can include in the box, and if baby has young siblings they can create some drawings instead!

You can of course also include things like a favorite toy or their special outfit.

Outdoor Picnic Party

This might sound a little old-fashioned, but family time spent outdoors is always special!

For an unforgettable outdoor picnic party, set up a cosy blanket under the shade of a big tree, so you can relax and enjoy the natural surroundings.

Make sure to pack a picnic basket filled with delicious snacks like sandwiches, fruits, cheese, and refreshing drinks. Don't forget to bring along some games and activities to keep everyone entertained, especially if older siblings are part of the crew!

Remember to bring a trash bag to clean up afterward and leave no trace behind. Enjoy the fresh air, the company of loved ones, and the simplicity of a lovely outdoor picnic. It's a beautiful way to celebrate and create lasting memories on your special occasion.

First Birthday Ideas: Baby-Friendly Sensory Play

Sensory play is a fantastic way to help your little one explore the world around them. Set up a simple sensory bin with items like uncooked rice, soft fabric scraps, and textured balls. Let your baby touch and feel the different textures, stimulating their sense of touch and curiosity. You can also create a DIY sensory board using materials like faux fur, sandpaper, and bubble wrap to introduce new tactile experiences.

Another fun activity is making sensory bottles by filling clear bottles with water, glitter, and small toys. Secure the lids tightly and let your baby shake and giggle at the mesmerising effects. This activity isn't only entertaining but also helps develop your baby's visual tracking skills.

For a mess-free option, try sensory bags filled with hair gel, food coloring, and small objects like beads. Seal the bags and let your baby squish and move the gel around, creating a sensory delight.

Sensory play encourages exploration, boosts cognitive development, and provides a sensory-rich environment for your baby to learn and grow… the perfect way to enter their second year of life!

Storybook Character Theme

Next in the list of our first birthday ideas: a storybook!

Yes, you read that right - many companies these days offer the option of creating a personalised storybook for your baby. If you don’t know any yet, Wonderbly is one of the most popular options and offers a wide range of options (for babies and adults).

A first birthday photoshoot

Our list of first birthday ideas wouldn’t be complete without mentioning a First Birthday Photoshoot to capture this special milestone.

Get ready for a messy and fun-filled adventure that will also give your family some stunning portraits of your little one’s growing personality! This adorable photoshoot involves letting your baby loose on a beautifully decorated cake, allowing them to dig in, smash, and create a delightful mess. It's a fantastic way to capture some truly memorable and candid photos that you'll cherish for years to come.

Your Cake Smash Photoshoot at our studio also includes “clean” portraits before the cake is brought in and a final “splash” in our miniature bath tub.

To learn more about capturing your baby’s first birthday with a Cake Smash Photoshoot visit our First Birthday page or get in touch!

4 Things you didn’t know about your newborn photography session

If you are here, chances are you are considering a newborn photography session for your new baby… so, congratulations!

Choosing the right photography studio and photographer to capture your baby’s first week of life is obviously an important decision, and if you are here you have almost certainly done some research and visited our Newborn Page, but how about walking behind the scenes of our photoshoots to discover a little more? 

Welcome to our “4 things you didn’t know about your newborn photography session” guide!

First: booking in advance come at no risk

We always encourage parents to get in touch during pregnancy to discuss their newborn photography session, and there are a few reasons for this:

1 - It Guarantees Your Slot

Newborn Photography Sessions are special for us too, so we must limit the spaces available to offer the best possible experience (and quality of work) to families, and to ensure we can be flexible if your little one is early or late

2 - It Gives Us Time To Plan

We love to offer a pre-session consultation to all families, to give us a little time to discuss the styling of your session, introduce you to our printed artwork and ensure you are completely comfortable with the process. 

3 -  Babies Are Not Tiny For Long!

The best time to photograph your little one is when they are under three weeks of age (although we can book your session even if baby is a little older, don’t worry!) so booking in advance means your space is reserved and as soon as your newborn arrives we can confirm the actual shoot date.

The best time for your newborn photography session

As mentioned above, the best time for your newborn photography session is during the first three weeks of life, when baby still naturally settles into those curly poses and easily falls into a deeper rest… But don’t worry if they are a little older!

We know that those memories are still incredibly important for you so we will always do our best to capture them for your family. While we might adapt our workflow if your newborn is a little older, we can still absolutely capture some stunning portraits for you.

So, if you are considering a newborn photography session and baby has already arrived please let us know right away so we can walk you through your options.

Family images are included

Years from now, when your newborn baby is not little anymore, family images taken during your newborn photography session will be some of their most treasured memories… And this is exactly why we include family shots at no additional cost with every newborn photoshoot.

Let's face it, the opportunities for good family images will be very few and far between in the next few months, especially if this is not your first baby, so your newborn photography session is the perfect opportunity for this.

And don’t worry, there are many creative ways of including you and your partner in your images even if you don’t feel too comfortable being in front of the camera.

Call the baby whisperer!

As you can imagine, there is more to newborn photography than “just” photography.

During your newborn photography session we’ll continuously “read” your little one needs to ensure they are comfortable and happy, and we will work using a specialist “baby-led” workflow that allows us to capture a variety of beautiful portraits while minimising movements and disruptions to your baby’s sleep.

As we always say, your baby cannot talk, so choosing a photographer who is experienced in working with newborns is key to ensure this experience is stress-free for the whole family!

Want to know a little more about choosing your newborn photographer?

Read our dedicated blog post or get in touch to discuss your newborn photography session!