Timeless First Birthday Photoshoot — A Beautiful Cake Smash Alternative
RUNNER UP NEWBORN AND BABY PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2020
Tamworth and Birmingham’s leading Baby Photographer.
Your baby is turning one, and a first birthday photoshoot is one of the most special ways to celebrate it. A whole year of firsts, of watching them grow from a tiny newborn into this laughing, curious, personality-filled little person who is about to take on the world.
It’s a big deal, and it deserves to be celebrated properly — but maybe cake smash just isn’t your thing. Maybe you’d love something a little quieter, a little more them — images that feel elegant and timeless rather than covered in buttercream.
That’s exactly what a First Birthday photoshoot at Deborah Longmore Photography is all about.
A Different Kind of Birthday Celebration
A First Birthday photoshoot captures something a cake smash simply can’t — your child exactly as they are right now. The way they smile when they catch your eye. The concentration on their little face as they explore something new. That gorgeous, gummy grin that’s somehow even better with a tooth or two.
These are the moments you’ll want to remember forever, and a beautifully lit, thoughtfully styled portrait session is how you capture them.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
It feels like only days ago you were holding them in your arms for the very first time… and now your little one’s first birthday is here. Where did that year go?
This once-in-a-lifetime milestone deserves to be celebrated and remembered with photographs that truly earn their place in your family album.
Where Your Session Happens
Your First Birthday photoshoot takes place in my warm, fully equipped Tamworth studio, with soft, natural-style lighting that produces those clean, classic images you’ll still love in twenty years’ time.
What Does a Session Look Like?
Every session is relaxed, unhurried and completely led by your child. There’s no pressure, no rushing and absolutely no mess to clean up afterwards!
I use simple, elegant props to keep the focus exactly where it belongs — on your little one. Some babies want to sit and explore. some want to pull themselves up and show off their new standing skills and some just want to grin at the camera because they’re absolutely delighted with themselves. Whatever your baby is like on the day, we go with it.
When to Book Your Session
Book your First Birthday photoshoot around your baby’s first birthday, and I’ll make sure your gallery and chosen artwork are ready in time for the big celebration.
On the Day of Your Session
We’ll begin with some beautiful classic portraits, capturing your little one’s personality with simple, elegant props that keep the focus exactly where it belongs — on them.
From there, we follow your baby’s lead. If they want to sit and explore, we capture that. If they’re keen to show off new standing or crawling skills, we capture that too. There’s no script, no pressure and no mess — just a relaxed, natural session that results in timeless portraits you’ll treasure for years to come.
Family and sibling images are also included, and are typically taken towards the end of the session.
“It was such a relaxed and lovely experience — Debbie made our little one feel so comfortable and the photos are just stunning, exactly the timeless feel we wanted.”
THE FIRST BIRTHDAY PHOTOSHOOT SESSION
Simply pay a £100 session fee at the time of booking, with the image package payable before the session
Looking for prices? Keep reading!
PRICING
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOUR FIRST BIRTHDAY PHOTOSHOOT?
After your session, I will create your final gallery of beautifully edited images. You will then be able to view your gallery and place your order of your chosen images.
Please have a look at the pricing below.
Please have a look at our pricing below.
The £100 session fee includes my time, expertise, and creativity during your session. Please note that images are not included in this fee. Image collection packages are priced separately and listed below
A minimum image collection package order of £179 is required per session in addition to the session fee. You can upgrade your image collection package at any time following the viewing of your images.
Image Collections
Gold – £549
- 25 x digital images hand edited in high resolution (provided in colour and matching black/white – 50 images in total)
- Pre-session consultation via questionnaire
- Full use of props and outfits
- Family and sibling images included in the session
- Online password protected gallery for viewing of your images in the comfort of your home
- Complimentary set of 7×5 colour prints of your chosen digital images
- Mobile photo app for a keepsake and easy sharing of your images
- Facebook timeline cover photo collage
- £50 credit towards any wall art purchase
- £50 Credit towards your family session
Silver – £359
- 10 x Digital images hand edited in high resolution
- Pre-session consultation via questionnaire
- Full use of props and outfits
- Family and sibling images included in the session
- Online password protected gallery for viewing of your images in the comfort of your home
- Complimentary set of 7×5 colour prints of your chosen digital images
Bronze – £179
- 5 x Digital images hand edited in high resolution
- Pre-session consultation via questionnaire
- Full use of props and outfits
- Family and sibling images included in the session
- Online password protected gallery for viewing of your images in the comfort of your home
DISCOVER COMBINED SESSION BUNDLES
Simply pay the combined session fee at the time of booking, with the image package payable before each session.
BUMP TO BABY
Bump and Baby – Maternity and Full Newborn Experience – £175 (£25 saving)
Booking a combined maternity and newborn photography package is more than just convenient — it’s a way to celebrate your family’s journey with beautiful, timeless images that capture the emotions and magic of this special time.
WATCH ME GROW
Watch Me Grow – any 3 sessions of your choice – £250 (£50 saving)
Your baby’s first year is full of incredible changes — from sleepy newborn cuddles to curious one-year-old adventures. These moments pass in the blink of an eye, but with the Watch Me Grow Package, you’ll have them beautifully documented forever.
WATCH ME GROW PLUS
Watch Me Grow Plus – any 4 sessions of your choice – £300 (£100 saving)
Your baby’s first year is full of incredible changes — from sleepy newborn cuddles to curious one-year-old adventures. These moments pass in the blink of an eye, but with the Watch Me Grow Package Plus , you’ll have them beautifully documented forever.
Why Choose a First Birthday Photoshoot Over a Cake Smash?
Both sessions are wonderful — but they’re very different things.
A cake smash is fun, bright and full of joyful chaos. A First Birthday photoshoot is calm, personal and beautifully timeless.
If you want images that feel elegant rather than exuberant — or if your little one is sensitive, easily overwhelmed, or you’d simply prefer something a little more classic — a portrait session is absolutely the right choice.
And honestly? There’s something incredibly special about a simple image of your child at one year old, looking right into the lens, full of personality, with nothing to distract from just them.
Why Book Deborah Longmore Photography for Your First Birthday Photoshoot?
I am fully qualified with the Guild of Photographers and hold the status of Craftsman in Newborn and Baby Photography and Master Craftsman in Professional Photography. I have spent years perfecting the art of capturing babies and children at their most natural — and there is nothing quite like a one-year-old in full personality mode to make a photographer’s heart happy!
I’ve been recognised as a Top 10 International Newborn & Baby Photographer every year since 2016, and I bring all of that experience and expertise into every single session.
These studio sessions are the perfect way to capture your little one’s personality at exactly this moment in time. We’ll work at your baby’s pace throughout — whether they want to sit, stand, explore or simply gaze curiously at the camera, every genuine moment is a beautiful one.
Family and sibling images can also be included at the end of the session.
Want a Themed Cake Smash Instead?
If you’ve changed your mind and fancy the mess and magic of a full cake smash celebration after all, I’ve got you covered there too!
First Birthday Photoshoot/Sitter Session Guide
For more information about cake smash photography sessions, please click on the cake smash session guide cover.
It also includes tips on how to prepare for your session.
