If you’re reading this, chances are you and your partner just talked about first birthday photos… and now you’re deciding together what feels right.
That’s exactly how it should be.
This page isn’t here to pressure you or rush a decision.
It’s simply here to explain what our First Birthday Portrait Experience is, how it works, and why so many parents tell us afterward that they’re really glad they did it.
Why First Birthday Photos Matter (Without the Hype)
A first birthday isn’t just about a cake or a party.
It’s a very specific moment in your child’s development:
- They’re expressive.
- They’re curious.
- They’re starting to show personality.
- They’re right on the edge of toddlerhood.
This stage doesn’t repeat itself.
What we’re really photographing isn’t the celebration … it’s who your child is right now.
Not posed perfection.
Not a performance.
Just them.
What the First Birthday Portrait Experience Is Actually Like
One common concern we hear is:
“What if my baby doesn’t cooperate?”
That’s not a problem here … because cooperation isn’t the goal.
Our sessions are:
- Guided, but flexible
- Designed around how babies naturally move and explore
- Calm, supportive, and unrushed
During the session:
- We photograph a few different setups and outfits
- We follow your child’s lead
- Parents are involved and close by
- Breaks, messes, curiosity, and laughter are all expected
You don’t need a “perfect baby.”
You already have the baby this experience is designed for.
How the Investment Typically Works (In Plain Language)
This part matters, so we’ll be transparent.
The First Birthday Portrait Experience begins with a $75 session reservation, which secures your session time and includes the guided studio experience itself, the smash cake, the balloons and also a $50 gift certificate to use towards the purchase of your artwork.
After the session, you’ll see the images together and decide what you’d like to purchase. Most families choose to invest more at that point and here’s why:
You can’t predict which images will matter most to you until you see them. The expressions, the interaction, the way your child’s personality shows up… that clarity only comes after the experience.
There’s no pressure to buy something specific.
You choose what fits your family, your home, and what you want to live with every day.
What Parents Are Usually Surprised By
Most parents expect cute photos.
What they don’t expect is:
- Feeling emotional
- Seeing their child’s personality so clearly
- Realizing how fast this stage already feels
We hear versions of this all the time:
“I didn’t think this would hit me like that.”
And that’s usually the moment parents understand what they’re really investing in.
Who This Experience Is (and Isn’t) For
We believe in being honest.
This experience may not be the right fit if:
- You’re looking for the cheapest option
- You want a fast, in-and-out session
- You don’t care what happens to the photos afterward
This experience is for families who:
- Value guidance and care
- Want something tangible that lasts beyond a phone
- Care about telling their child’s story well
- Want to feel calm and supported through the process
Neither choice is wrong … it just depends on what matters most to you.
A Final Thought
If this feels aligned, we’d be honored to help you celebrate your child’s first year.
If you need time to talk it through together, that’s exactly how good decisions are made.
And if you decide it’s not the right fit right now, that’s okay too.
What matters most is choosing what feels right for your family.
If questions come up after reading this, we’re always happy to talk.
Jeanine McLeod is the owner and lead photographer of Cloud 9 Studios, a full-service photography studio located in Wesley Chapel, Florida, just north of Tampa.
For almost 20 years, Jeanine has specialized in family, children, and baby photography that celebrates the joy and connection of family life. She’s best known for her storytelling approach to first birthday and milestone sessions, creating portraits that capture love, laughter, and the magic of childhood.
Jeanine’s mission is simple — to go through life with her clients, documenting each chapter of their family’s story through beautiful, heartfelt images.
When families search for first birthday photos in Wesley Chapel or family photographers near Tampa, Cloud 9 Studios is where the experience becomes as meaningful as the portraits themselves.
