Hey there, mama!
Can you believe it? Your baby is turning ONE! This milestone is such a special moment, and it deserves to be celebrated in a way that reflects all the joy and love your little one has brought into your life. As a mom who understands the whirlwind of emotions and planning, I want to share some heartfelt tips on planning that first celebration and making your baby's first birthday unforgettable, including a fun cake smash portrait session right here in our Swansboro studio.
1. Keep It Personal and Intimate
One of the best things you can do for your baby's first birthday is to keep the celebration personal and intimate. Invite close family and friends who have been part of your baby's journey. This creates a warm and loving atmosphere, making your little one feel surrounded by familiar faces.
For the kids' first birthday, we decided to have a small gathering at home. We decorated the living room with balloons, streamers, and a cute banner. It was simple, but it felt just right. The best part was seeing their eyes light up with all the colorful decorations and hearing the giggles and laughter from our loved ones.
2. Plan a Cake Smash Session
A cake smash session is a fantastic way to capture your baby's personality and those adorable messy moments. Plus, it makes for some priceless photos that you'll treasure forever. You can choose a theme that matches your baby's favorite things or keep it simple. The photos will capture the pure joy and curiosity on our baby's face as well as their developing personality during this milestone.
3. Capture the Moments
The first birthday is not just about the big day but also about preserving the memories. Make sure you have a good camera or hire a professional photographer, like us, to capture all the sweet moments. From the first bite of cake to the playful interactions with family, every moment is worth remembering. We know exactly how to capture the essence of the day without missing any precious moments so that you can just ENJOY being present for this milestone. These photos will hang on your walls and be displayed in an album, to remind you of that beautiful day every time you look at them.
![Samantha Ann Photo provides newborn photography in Swansboro, NC (Onslow County) for busy moms who want a stress-free an](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/XolYze7/IMG_8643-8a4f1277-1000.jpg)
![Samantha Ann Photo provides newborn photography in Swansboro, NC (Onslow County) for busy moms who want a stress-free an](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/XolYze7/IMG_8773-76ba0c2b-1000.jpg)
![Samantha Ann Photo provides newborn photography in Swansboro, NC (Onslow County) for busy moms who want a stress-free an](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/XolYze7/IMG_8644-78f89084-1000.jpg)
BONUS TIP: ENJOY THE DAY
It's easy to get caught up in the planning and stress of making everything perfect, but remember to take a step back and enjoy the day. Your baby won't remember the decorations or the cake, but they will remember the love and happiness that filled the room. Take a moment to hold your baby close, soak in their giggles, and appreciate the journey you've been on together.
I hope these tips help you create a first birthday celebration that is both meaningful and memorable! If you're interested in a cake smash session or milestone session to mark this occasion, feel free to reach out here. Happy planning!
![tips for planning a first birthday party cake smash by swansboro photographer Samantha Ann Photo photography studio](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/1kE6yK8/ARTHURFIRSTBIRTHDAYCAKESMASHPHOTOSBYSWANSBORONCNEWBORNSTUDIOPHOTOGRAPHERSAMANTHAANNPHOTOSTUDIO-01b979c7-1000.jpg)
![tips for planning a first birthday party cake smash by swansboro photographer Samantha Ann Photo photography studio](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/1kE6yK8/ARTHURFIRSTBIRTHDAYCAKESMASHPHOTOSBYSWANSBORONCNEWBORNSTUDIOPHOTOGRAPHERSAMANTHAANNPHOTOSTUDIO-2-246a2496-1000.jpg)
![tips for planning a first birthday party cake smash by swansboro photographer Samantha Ann Photo photography studio](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/1kE6yK8/ARTHURFIRSTBIRTHDAYCAKESMASHPHOTOSBYSWANSBORONCNEWBORNSTUDIOPHOTOGRAPHERSAMANTHAANNPHOTOSTUDIO-4-447f6743-1000.jpg)
![tips for planning a first birthday party cake smash by swansboro photographer Samantha Ann Photo photography studio](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/1kE6yK8/ARTHURFIRSTBIRTHDAYCAKESMASHPHOTOSBYSWANSBORONCNEWBORNSTUDIOPHOTOGRAPHERSAMANTHAANNPHOTOSTUDIO-3-f30efb34-1000.jpg)
Samantha Ann Photo provides newborn photography in Swansboro, NC (Onslow County) for busy moms who want a stress-free and luxury portrait experience. Also offering family, maternity, and baby photography, our studio is located in the heart of Swansboro serving families from surrounding areas such as Jacksonville, NC, Hubert, Peletier, Emerald Isle, Cape Carteret, Cedar Point, Havelock, and Morehead City.
We offer a high-end, full service experience including a pre-session consultation, exclusive access to our curated studio wardrobe, and same-day image viewing. Uniquely to us, our clients view their captures same day and can choose what best fits their family from an array of heirloom albums, custom wall galleries, and digital images are included with wall art purchases. If you are searching for a comfortable, safe experience with stunning heirloom wall art for your family, we can't wait to serve you!