Documenting Your Baby's First Year as a Collective Member

When you’re expecting, most of the time you are focused on the pregnancy and newborn stage. As you should, but when you’re thinking about photographing those sessions, I’d encourage you to consider documenting your baby’s first year, not just those early days.

Yes, those early days are SO special, but that first year is a year you’ll never want to forget. It’s a year you’ll want to be able to tell them about one day. Can you imagine what that would be like without photos? I tell you this as a Mom, and not just a photographer, because if I am being honest with you, I wish I had done it. I WISH I had known then what I know now.

4 Reason’s To Book A First Year Collective

1 - Takes the Pressure Off of You

Life is busy and that first year can be a blur. The last thing I want you to do is to get caught up in life as new parents and forget to book a session. When you are a collective member, we track those milestone months for you and reach out when it’s time to schedule!

2 - Priority Booking

As a collective member, you get priority booking for each of your sessions. This is particularly important during busy seasons or getting a coveted sunset session or weekend. AND- it may sound a little silly, but you also get priority booking for our Santa sessions which is a huge benefit because we sell out 100 sessions in a matter of minutes every year.

3 - Cohesiveness

When we know you’re going to have several sessions throughout your baby’s first year, we’re able to plan with more intention. We choose your location and wardrobe selections carefully knowing that the images from each session may be displayed together on a wall or in an album. Furthermore, using the same photographer from session to session allows for continuity and consistency within the images from the session to session.

4 - Relationship

Building relationships with my clients is one of the aspects of my job as a CT newborn and family photographer I value most. I love hearing your stories and getting to know your family. The more sessions we do together, the more comfortable you are in front of the camera! You also get to know me, the studio and the process, and what to expect with your images.

Investing in the first year collective is truly an amazing way to preserve some of your family’s most cherished years and memories. It’s one of the most special and tangible gifts you can give not only yourself but your children and family for years to come.

AND— like I tell every parent, your baby will grow quicker than they ever will in that first year. You may think you can skip a milestone and not miss out on much. But trust me, when you can’t turn back the time, you will give anything to have photos to look back on.

If you’re considering documenting your baby’s first year as a first year collective member, contact me so we can set up a chat!

Oh, what a year it has been with Nash and his precious parents. From his Mama’s belly to his first birthday session, he captured my heart! I have enjoyed every session with them, and I cannot believe how much he’s grown this year! Happy Birthday, Nash!

Kristin Wood Photography, LLC specializes in Newborn, Maternity and Family Photography serving Fairfield County and surrounding areas including Greenwich, Westport, New Canaan, Ridgefield, Stamford, Fairfield, New Haven, Manhattan, and Westchester County. If you are interested in booking a session, please contact me here.

I would love to begin planning a portrait session for you. Whether you want an outdoor beach or field setting or a cozy in-studio or in-home setting, we will design the perfect session to suit your family. I provide a luxury photography experience with a full client closet, personalized wardrobe styling, hair and makeup artists, and custom album and wall art designs for your home.

Fairfield County Newborn Photographer | Darien Newborn Photographer | New Canaan Newborn Photographer | Greenwich Newborn Photography | Westport Newborn Photographer | NYC Newborn Photographer | Fairfield County Family Newborn Photographer | Darien Family Photography | Westport Family Photographer | Greenwich Family Photographer | New Canaan Family Photographer | Ridgefield Family Photographer | Fairfield County Luxury Photographer | Westchester County Photographer | NYC Family Photographer | Manhattan Family Photographer | Rye Newborn Photographer | Larchmont Newborn Photographer | Scarsdale Newborn Photographer | Westchester County NY | Kristin Wood Photography

Baby Girl's First Birthday Photoshoot | Fairfield County, CT

I cannot believe it’s already time to share this baby girl’s first birthday photoshoot with you! It feels like we were just photographing Harper’s newborn session in her nursery, and here she is standing up and turning ONE! If you missed her 6-month milestone session, you can catch up here!

When a KWP baby graduates from the first-year collective, it’s always a little bittersweet! We do 3-4 sessions together over the course of their first year and I have to admit, I tend to get attached to these babies and their parents. And while most of my clients continue with their annual family photos, there is just something extra special about that first year!

To wrap up Harper’s first year, we did a session in the studio. Now that the secret is out, I can share that this is one of my last sessions in my current studio. We are moving to Westport! But more on that later!

Harper may only be one, but she already has style! We started her session with the most precious little white onesie with delicate details. After that, was a little tulle dress…because what little girl doesn’t need tulle to celebrate their birthday?! We finished up with a little knit romper and a couple of bonnets…and you guys, she couldn’t have been more precious!

Is it even a first birthday photoshoot without finishing up with a cake smash?! Next to documenting their sweet little faces, this may be one of my favorite parts. It’s always so unpredictable- some babies will love it, some hate it and some are just totally confused.

If you’re going to do a cake smash, I recommend keeping the cake small and neutral. It will photograph best and also be less overwhelming to them. And remember, it’s totally okay for them to respond however they do. I promise, no matter their reaction it always makes for great photos!

Without further ado, the birthday girl, Harper!

Kristin Wood Photography, LLC specializes in Newborn, Maternity and Family Photography serving Fairfield County and surrounding areas including Greenwich, Westport, New Canaan,  Ridgefield, Stamford, Fairfield, New Haven, Manhattan, and Westchester County.  If you are interested in booking a session, please contact me here.

I would love to begin planning a portrait session for you. Whether you want an outdoor beach or field setting or a cozy in-studio or in-home setting, we will design the perfect session to suit your family. I provide a luxury photography experience with a full client closet, personalized wardrobe styling, hair and makeup artists, and custom album and wall art designs for your home.

Fairfield County Newborn Photographer | Darien Newborn Photographer | New Canaan Newborn Photographer | Greenwich Newborn Photography | Westport Newborn Photographer | NYC Newborn Photographer | Fairfield County Family Newborn Photographer | Darien Family Photography | Westport Family Photographer | Greenwich Family Photographer | New Canaan Family Photographer | Ridgefield Family Photographer | Fairfield County Luxury Photographer | Westchester County Photographer | NYC Family Photographer | Manhattan Family Photographer | Rye Newborn Photographer | Larchmont Newborn Photographer | Scarsdale Newborn Photographer | Westchester County NY | Kristin Wood Photography

First Birthday Session and Cake Smash in Studio in Darien, CT

It’s always a little bittersweet when a KWP baby turns one. Over the last year, I have had the honor of watching little Chase grow from a tiny little newborn baby boy to a boy on the move…and one that loves cake!

Since I met Chase at his in-home newborn session, I knew it was going to be an exciting year documenting him grow. He was so alert and curious and already letting his sweet little personality show.

Chase’s smile is contagious and will melt your heart…right along with the bond he shares with his big sister. The two of them could not be any sweeter together. One of my favorite sibling photos ever was from Chase’s six-month milestone session at Sherwood Island.

What to Do at a First Birthday Session

It can be hard to wrangle a one-year-old on the move! That’s one reason why I love doing first-birthday sessions in the studio. It’s an open space, free of distractions, and gives them a controlled space to move around in.

This usually looks like them playing in the curtains, standing by one of our poofs, crawling around, and playing with wood toys that I provide. I have found that these give them something to do to also photograph well.

If you choose to do a cake smash for your one-year-old, we will do that at the end. Then ensures that we get those must-have photos first and then we let the fun begin! Some babies love cake and others want nothing to do with it. However your child responds, know that it’s totally normal and 100% adorable either way!

This is a side-by-side photo that I LOVE putting together- you can really see how much they grow and change over the year!

Kristin Wood Photography, LLC specializes in Newborn, Maternity and Family Photography serving Fairfield County and surrounding areas including Greenwich, Westport, New Canaan,  Ridgefield, Stamford, Fairfield, New Haven, Manhattan, and Westchester County.  If you are interested in booking a session, please contact me here.

I would love to begin planning a portrait session for you. Whether you want an outdoor beach or field setting or a cozy in-studio or in-home setting, we will design the perfect session to suit your family. I provide a luxury photography experience with a full client closet, personalized wardrobe styling, hair and makeup artists, and custom album and wall art designs for your home.

Fairfield County Newborn Photographer | Darien Newborn Photographer | New Canaan Newborn Photographer | Greenwich Newborn Photography | Westport Newborn Photographer | NYC Newborn Photographer | Fairfield County Family Newborn Photographer | Darien Family Photography | Westport Family Photographer | Greenwich Family Photographer | New Canaan Family Photographer | Ridgefield Family Photographer | Fairfield County Luxury Photographer | Westchester County Photographer | NYC Family Photographer | Manhattan Family Photographer | Rye Newborn Photographer | Larchmont Newborn Photographer | Scarsdale Newborn Photographer | Westchester County NY | Kristin Wood Photography

Graham's Connecticut Cake Smash and First Birthday Session - Greenwich Photographer

I had so much fun with this family at my Darien studio for their first birthday session! They opted to be in the photos with their little one and they turned out so precious.

We selected outfits from the Client Wardrobe for Graham and for Mom. I’m obsessed with this gray knit bubble he wore! Mom looked stunning this is Fillyboo dress too!

We started with portraits of baby Graham. He was a little uncertain about this whole camera thing at first, but he soon warmed up! He loved rolling around on the bed and playing with his parents!

We used my vintage white high chair to get some classic images of Graham as he tried out his birthday cake. Graham was definitely loving his cake from Palmers Bakery in Darien (www.palmersdarien.com). I always recommend them for my clients because they do such a nice job on the cakes!

I always recommend that my clients get a cake with mostly white icing or even a “naked” style cake. I’m not a fan of messy colored icing and the dyes that go in those. As always, I think simple is best! I want all the focus to be on your baby!

I absolutely LOVE these images and am so excited to show you! And don’t forget to check out that very last photo…it is priceless!

Olivia is One - Field First Birthday Session in New Canaan Connecticut | Fairfield County Baby Photographer

We had so much fun celebrating Olivia’s first birthday at Waveny Park in New Canaan. This session included Mom and Dad as well to get some adorable images of the whole family celebrating this major milestone!

Mom and Olivia came to the studio in Darien, Connecticut prior to their session for the planning and styling consultation. During the consultation we discussed what location would best suit their family and the style they wanted for this session. We then selected outfits from the client closet that would work well with the field location that they chose. I love these pre-session consultations because it gives us the opportunity to get to know each other better and gives us both a huge sense of comfort going into the session itself!

I brought this adorable high chair to the field for a few “first birthday” style images and I just love how cute it was outside. Mom brought a GIANT balloon that we were going to use as well, but unfortunately it popped before we got to use it, but Olivia thought the balloon was really fun!

I love this this off white Henley Dad borrowed from the Client Wardrobe. It is my favorite shirt for men because it is a nice thick material and not stark white (which sometimes doesn’t photograph well outside). Olivia wore 2 of the most precious dresses from the Client Wardrobe. That dusty pink tulle dress has been a fan favorite for 1st birthdays this year.

Kristin Wood Photography, LLC specializes in Newborn, Maternity and Family Photography serving Fairfield County and surrounding areas including Greenwich, Westport, New Canaan,  Ridgefield, Stamford, Fairfield, New Haven, Manhattan, and Westchester County.  If you are interested in booking a session, please contact me here.

I would love to begin planning a portrait session for you. Whether you want an outdoor beach or field setting or a cozy in studio or in home setting, we will design the perfect session to suit your family. I provide a luxury photography experience with a full client closet, personalized wardrobe styling, hair and makeup artists, and custom album and wall art designs for your home.

Fairfield County Newborn Photographer | Darien Newborn Photographer | New Canaan Newborn Photographer | Greenwich Newborn Photography | Westport Newborn Photographer | NYC Newborn Photographer | Fairfield County Family Newborn Photographer | Darien Family Photography | Westport Family Photographer | Greenwich Family Photographer | New Canaan Family Photographer | Ridgefield Family Photographer | Fairfield County Luxury Photographer | Westchester County Photographer | NYC Family Photographer | Manhattan Family Photographer | Kristin Wood Photography

Eliza's First Birthday Session and Cake Smash | Connecticut Baby Photographer

First Birthday’s are such an important milestone, not just for baby, but for Mom and Dad too! It means you MADE it- you survived what is arguably the most difficult year of your life haha! The sleep deprivation, the stress, the worry all of it culminates at the first birthday! Congratulations- you are now considered old pros at this baby thing!!!

The First Birthday really is a special time and you will remember it for the rest of your life. Having gorgeous portraits to freeze this moment in time is really a treasure!

When client’s request a First Birthday session, we always discuss whether we will do cake at the end. If we do, we save it for the very last thing (for obvious reasons! haha!). I have lots of sweet, simple props for my milestones includes a vintage white hair chair, a vintage rocking horse, and some pretty chairs. One year olds are SO curious about the world around them so to keep them interested in taking photos, we have to keep changing things up!

I do not provide the cake for cake smash sessions due to potential allergies, but I do suggest a mostly white cake (or even a “naked cake”). They photograph lovely and don’t stain like the colored icings. There are lots of bakeries around to order a cake, just be sure and specify what size you would like (if you want a small cake tell them it’s for a smash cake!).

I’m sharing Eliza’s session with you today! She is SUCH a pretty baby and was FULL of joy! Her Mom picked out this pink tulle dress from the Client Wardrobe and it was PERFECT on her! Mom also brought this sweet monogrammed diaper cover. I love how much variety we were able to get in such a short time!