This past year I went to many first birthday parties. However, there is a person whose friendship means the absolute world to me, and that is Julie. I can share the most absurd story, crazy moment, or outlandish experience and somehow, she can relate to all of them. Whenever I need sound advice, a laugh, a person to turn to, or that perfect sarcastic comment and reaction, I can count on her. So when I found out she was expecting a girl, I couldn’t be happier. I love and adore Seth already so a potential for another person to love? I couldn’t wait.
I met Laney at my bridal shower and from then on, I was able to see her whenever Julie and I could squeeze time in between our schedules (and distance apart). However, I was able to witness her growth through photos online and I could see the resemblance she had with Julie and Craig and admire her stunning, beautiful eyes! It is amazing how a year zoomed by and now, Laney is one year old. The last time I saw her she wasn’t walking yet and now, she is on the go. Laney is also babbling and talking more and to make her laugh, all you have to do is make a “Ca ca ca!” noise really loud and she smiles and giggles with delight (A useful noise that we made when doing family portraits – which will be up very soon!). Laney is an absolute beauty and I love being her Auntie Dre.
Julie and Craig, you have a beautiful daughter and what I really enjoyed seeing was how much she means to the both of you. There is this look that you give Laney, Julie, that shows such an immense bond and motherly love. When Laney is in your arms, Craig, you shelter and protect her while tossing her gently in the air and letting her fall safely into your arms. She fits right in – Caitlyn watching over her in the wading pool as the big sister and Seth sharing goldfish with his baby sister.
Happy first birthday again, Laney; I cannot wait to celebrate more birthdays with you and watch you grow even more!
After lunch and cake, Craig pumped up this gigantic water slide for the kids to play with. I wish I was a kid again because they were having so much fun getting wet – and getting some air off that slide! For the younger ones, there was a smaller pool that they could splash around in. All of the kids at the party were just too cute and I couldn’t help but take photos of them!
Last pictures of the princess of the party with her mommy:
The first cry, laugh, giggle, smile, tears, feeling of being sick, feeling of getting better, bath, crawl and sign of movement, attempt to get up and fall, steps, formation of words, time “Mommy” and “Daddy” is said…The first sign of unconditional love between parent and child. That first year must be a rollercoaster of emotions, but a bunch of milestones and accomplishments for both parents and child.
Taro and I experienced a lot of these moments as an aunt and uncle – not necessarily the “firsts”– and love that princess K is a special girl in our lives. We did, however, take part and attend her birthday and I was thrilled when her mom asked me to shoot pictures of her very first birthday.
Dressed in an adorable tutu, Baby K was ready to celebrate. There was a face painter/balloon artist, a stand full of cupcakes in shades of brown (to match the pink décor), and a room filled with loving friends, aunts and uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Before the cake was cut – which was exquisitely decorated – a game was played where Baby K had to “choose” her future. She ended up crawling and picking up lipstick and a book. So what do we see in her future? She is going to have beauty and brains!
At the end of the day, Baby K was exhausted; hopefully when she looks back on these pictures, she will see what a great first birthday she had. Happy birthday once again, princess K, and I cannot wait to celebrate your 2nd birthday…and the many more to follow!
A family picture, and then I love this shot of just K’s hand lying next to her Daddy’s hand.
It took some convincing, but K briefly wore her tiara!
And now it is time to eat cake…or cupcakes!
The face painter/balloon artist was a definite hit at the party. There were balloons shaped in flowers, monkeys, cars, and even Spiderman! When it came down to face painting, the kids were not the only ones to participate; even the adults at the party got in touch with the child within, remaining young at heart!
I love the one of Taro getting his face painted as a cat. He thought he could get in touch with his feline-self and potentially either befriend or scare Peanut when he got home.
A couple of just the family towards the end of the day:
By the end of the day, K was exhausted. The picture on the left was when the party first started; the picture on the right was at the end of the day where K was wrapped up in a blanket. She rested on the couch while her Mommy and Daddy cleaned up. Who knew turning 1 could be so tiring! Until next December, I hope your first birthday was a spectacular one, little princess.
There’s something definitely very special about starting a family. It brings the couple together in a different way and transforms an individual – caring for someone new to the world, shaping him/her to leave an imprint and impression on others, and learning about the self and what one is capable of. What I enjoy most when I see a family is the love that two individuals have for a tiny being; it is something pure and cannot be thoroughly described in words. So when Andy and Amy asked me to shoot family portraits for them, I was ecstatic. There is a gentleness that Amy has in her eyes when she cares for Kaitlyn; when Andy is with her, she loves to mimic what he is doing and is on her toy laptop while he is working on his. I wanted to capture that bond that each of them have with their daughter – same in that they both adore her and different in how they interact, but something that is one of a kind.
It might have been a little breezier than we expected and Kaitlyn had to be bundled up toward the end of the session, but it was a pleasure spending the afternoon with a lovely couple who wanted to capture the first year with their baby girl. I look forward to capturing more moments with your family, Andy and Amy!
Leave A Comment