Cute and Creative 1st Birthday Party Photoshoot Ideas
There’s nothing quite like a baby’s first birthday—the wonder in their eyes, the giggles from their cake-covered cheeks, the joy that fills the room as friends and family gather to celebrate one sweet year of life.
In this guide, we’re sharing some of our favourite 1st birthday photoshoot moments, drawn from real families we’ve photographed here at The Story of Us. From a strawberry-themed garden party to a safari adventure with animal balloons, these sessions are full of playful ideas, heartfelt connection, and a whole lot of personality.
Down on the Farm: A Barnyard Birthday Adventure
This barnyard-themed first birthday was bursting with charm and heartfelt touches. We loved how the favour boxes were shaped like tiny barns—such a sweet detail that made each guest feel part of the celebration. Blue balloons in soft and playful shades floated beside cow-printed ones, adding a fun pop of pattern that tied everything together beautifully. The photo wall was a standout, with life-sized farm animal standees—sheep, cow, horse, and pig—watching over the festivities like gentle party guests
Into the Wild: Safari Magic for Your Little Explorer
Wild wonder and cheeky details made this safari-themed celebration such a joy to photograph. The food table was a total hit—each treat labelled with playful names like Zebra Feed, Elephant Poop, Monkey Treats, and Hippo Lake (the kids loved it, and honestly, so did the grown-ups!). The birthday cake was a showstopper, topped with tiny animal figurines—lion, elephant, monkey—standing proud like they’d just wandered in from the savannah. Every corner of the party was filled with creativity and care, making it such a fun and meaningful shoot to be part of.
Sweet & Spooky: A Halloween Birthday Twist
This Halloween-inspired first birthday was the perfect mix of sweet and spooky, with a colour palette of purple, orange, black, and white setting the mood. The photo wall brought the theme to life with playful ghosts, spiders, monsters, and cheeky little bats. Everyone joined in on the fun—even the guests arrived in costume, adding to the festive, all-in spirit of the day. Mum dressed as a witch, Dad as a skeleton, and their little one stole the show in the cutest pumpkin outfit you’ve ever seen. The piñata was a big hit with the kids, and laughter filled the air from start to finish. It was such a joy to photograph a party where imagination—and love—ran wild.
Buzz & Bloom: A Garden-Themed First Birthday
Bursting with colour and joy, this garden-themed celebration was the perfect way to mark a baby’s first spring birthday. The photo wall bloomed with pastel balloons in soft, sunshiney shades, bringing the whole space to life. But it was the cake that truly stopped us in our tracks—one of the most beautiful we’ve seen. Decorated with bright flowers, tiny buzzing bees, and the sweetest little frog, it looked almost too lovely to cut. There was a calm, happy energy to the day—one that made it such a delight to capture through the lens.
Baby’s First Beach Club: Sun, Sand & Splashy Smiles
This beach club–themed first birthday was full of summer energy and laid-back fun. The photo wall was a pastel dream, with soft balloons floating above beachy props like mini surfboards, striped chairs, colourful floats, and bouncy beach balls. Everywhere you looked, there was something playful and bright. We especially loved the thoughtful party favours—beach towels and tiny sunglasses, perfect for the little guests to take home some sunshine. It was the kind of celebration where bare feet, belly laughs, and splashy smiles made every moment feel effortlessly joyful—and a total delight to photograph.
Berry Sweet: A Strawberry-Themed Celebration
Whimsical and wonderfully pink, this strawberry-themed first birthday was bursting with charm. The photo wall featured soft red and pink tones, sprinkled with sweet strawberry details that tied everything together—right down to the adorable birthday cake. The whole setup was like a berry patch come to life. One of the biggest hits? A matching ball pit in red, pink, and white that kept the kids laughing and playing all afternoon. It was a joyful, berry-bright celebration that felt as sweet as the little one we were there to celebrate.
Let Them Smash Cake: Classic, Messy, and Magical
The classic—and still a crowd favourite. For this little one’s first birthday, the cake was a sweet nod to nature, decorated with delicate honeycombs and tiny fondant bees. It looked almost too pretty to touch… until those little hands dove right in. From tentative pokes to full-fisted scoops, every moment was filled with giggles and golden crumbs. These are the kind of memories that stick—in frosting-smudged cheeks, in laughter shared, and in photos that capture it all.
Planning Your Baby’s 1st Birthday Photoshoot
A little planning goes a long way to make the experience joyful for everyone—especially your one-year-old.
Timing is everything:
We recommend booking sessions around your baby’s happiest time of day, often right after a nap and a feed. Golden hour light (early morning or late afternoon) can work beautifully for outdoor settings.
What to wear:
Choose soft, comfortable clothing for your baby—something that suits the theme, but won’t irritate delicate skin. For family members, neutral tones or pastels photograph beautifully and let the baby be the focus. Avoid large logos or distracting patterns.
Choosing a location:
Some families opt for a backyard celebration, a beach picnic, or even an indoor play setup. If your party has a theme, think about how the space supports it—hay bales for a farm theme, or tropical touches for a beach club vibe.
Behind the Lens: How We Capture First Birthdays
No two 1st birthday shoots are the same, and that’s part of the joy. We blend documentary-style moments with gentle direction, capturing everything from tearful snuggles to triumphant cake-smashing.
Our sessions are flexible and baby-led. If your little one needs a break, we pause. If siblings want to jump in, we welcome them. And when we see those moments of genuine connection—a laugh shared between parent and child, a look of wonder—we're ready.
Ready to capture your baby’s first birthday? Let’s make it happen!
Your baby’s first birthday only happens once, but the memories can last a lifetime—especially when they’re captured with care, intention, and heart. Whether you’re planning a big celebration or a quiet backyard moment, your photoshoot can reflect all the love, laughter, and little details that make your family’s story unique.
At The Story of Us, we feel incredibly lucky to be invited into these milestones. It’s not just about the cake (though we do love a good smash!)—it’s about the connection, the celebration, and the joy of watching your baby turn one.
Explore our portfolio to see the magic we create: Family, In-home, Newborn, Maternity, Family Trips, Celebrations, and Extended Family.
Book your baby’s first birthday photo session with us today!
Frequently Asked Questions About 1st Birthday Photoshoots
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We recommend booking your shoot a few weeks before your baby’s actual birthday, especially if you want to use the photos for invitations or decorations. That said, anytime around the first birthday is perfect—it’s more about celebrating this stage than the exact date.
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For the milestones worth remembering—candlelit cakes, quiet blessings, and the love that gathers everyone together—we offer storytelling coverage that documents your day as it naturally unfolds.
Our celebration photography includes:
1 Hour Coverage
60+ fully edited, high-resolution images
Delivered in a private online gallery
Ideal for small celebrations or key moment coverage
2 Hours Coverage
120+ fully edited, high-resolution images
Perfect for capturing a full event flow—family portraits before guests arrive, details, and unfolding moments
Our approach is warm, documentary, and gently guided—perfect for first birthdays, naming days, backyard laughter, and everything in between.
Head over to our celebration photography portfolio for more details and inspiration!
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Absolutely. Many of our families choose to have us document the birthday celebration itself—decor, guests, cake, and all—or we can do a separate styled shoot inspired by the party theme. Either option creates lasting memories.
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Yes! We encourage it. While your baby is the star of the shoot, capturing interactions with siblings and parents adds so much heart to the story. We’ll guide you through relaxed, natural moments that showcase your connection.
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Babies are beautifully unpredictable—and that’s completely normal, especially during a birthday celebration with lots happening around them. Our approach is candid and flexible. We don't expect perfect poses—instead, we capture real moments as they unfold. Whether your baby is wide-eyed with curiosity, having a snack break, or cuddling up to you mid-party, those in-between moments often turn out to be the most memorable.
