First birthday memories captured | Cornwall baby photographer

Aari’s first birthday photoshoot | Cornwall

Just like that, Aari is turning one. As always, it’s hard to fathom that it was just over a year ago that I was photographing his mum with a very big belly, sharing some last moments of Evie being the only child.

It always amazes me how quickly the first year goes, and how much is packed into it. I was lucky enough to see them again and photograph everyone with Aari as a newborn soon afterwards, and then again at the beach 6 months later.

By the time of his first birthday session, he was already walking - a boy with places to go and a world to explore! And a mum who was trying to keep up with her babies as they were growing up too fast.

As most sessions involving young children do, this one started off feeling frazzled and slightly stressful. I have come to realise that this is simply a part of the deal with little ones - as much as my wish for parents is that it’s an easy, relaxed drive in and everyone is in a good mood, well you can imagine that’s not quite the picture in reality most of the time.

I think that once this is expected, and accepted, it can be more readily worked with and factored in. It has never meant that the session didn’t go according to plan - because the secret it, THERE IS NO PLAN. I’m winging it. Adapting to whoever arrives, in whatever state they arrive in.

There is no expectation that it will be easy. I don’t need it to be! All of my favourite shots have been taken under less-than-perfect conditions and it has led me to really believe that perfection is very boring and not great for creativity or unexpected delight during a session.

I have gone off on a tangent but I think it’s an important one - if you’re worried, as a parent, that your little one won’t behave or might be too shy or busy to sit still for a photo - try me. I’ve been doing this for a while and have navigated every mood and stage with my two boys and countless children I’ve photographed.

Let them be Little

In Aari’s case, because he was walking and on the move, we had the session in the studio and then took it outside.

It was a chance for him to toddle a bit and for his big sister to get in some photos too. This is one of the many reasons I love doing sessions where I live - it has a lovely outdoor space nearby that has saved many a session - and added some variety to galleries which I think is brilliant.