First Birthday photoshoot with an older sibling | Warlingham Smash cake

How did that First Birthday arrives so quickly, right ? You blink and they have grown up from being a tiny newborn to crawling everywhere and some of them walking already !

What if there is an older sibling ? Well that makes it even more special because your family has grown all together around your latest baby.

Why this milestone matters

Your baby’s first year is full of Firsts : first smile, first giggles, first snuggles, first steps, and probably first fight with their sibling ! A First birthday photoshoot at this stage is not only to capture your baby’s first year but it will also tells the story about their older sibling and your family.

Let’s be honest big sister or brother will probably jump in the frame more than once during the session, I can guarantee you that and that’s the beauty of it !

Including the sibling in the Smash cake or First Birthday session will add this extra connection you will love on your photos. Both their personality will shine and they will probably be cheeky !

These are the moments you will want to look back at.

What to expect during the session with a sibling included

This session is always very relaxed and baby-led. With an older sibling, we let them play together, let them explore and capture them being just them.

Don’t ask them to smile or perform. Just be present or be silly but don’t try to control them. There is nothing they can break of value in my studio ( apart from my camera, but it stays on my neck !).

It’s important to create space for them to express themselves freely. That’s how we get the best shots.

We will capture portrait of baby solo - of course - and portraits with their sibling as well as with each parent and all together.

Don’t stress about cooperation

Parents often ask : “What if the other one doesn’t play along?”. Well, I don’t expect perfection but instead connection.

I expect them to be raw and real, not fake or forced into performing. So we can sit back and watch while they play together, or gently help them with my little wooden toys or sing or dance all together ( I expect parents to be silly sausages like me, if we need to !)

What if my Baby doesn’t touch the cake ?

In my smash cake sessions, it does happen sometimes. Some babies have never experienced a cake or sugar before the session. Some of them would not be interested at all and that’s okay.

Having a sibling during a the session can actually help a lot because they can show them how to smash the cake or try a little bit of it with their fingers. They like to touch it or smell it and eventually try it :)

It’s about being patient and not rushing.

We will always get some beautiful shots of them in front of their cake even if they are not interested in it.

Are you ready to book your First Birthday photoshoot ?

Contact me to book either your Smash cake or your Family session. If you need the photos ahead of a party, be sure to enquire soon enough so I can have enough time to edit and you have enough time to order some prints.

Any questions, I am here to help

Claire xx