✨ Why Toddler Birthday Photos Are Worth It
Your baby’s cake-smash days might be behind you, but the magic is just getting started.
At Cloud 9 Studios, we see toddler sessions as the next chapter in your child’s story … a chance to celebrate the new independence, energy, and personality that comes after turning one.
These sessions are joyful, unpredictable, and full of movement — and that’s exactly why we love them!
The 2-Year-Old Stage: Curious and On the Move
Two-year-olds are explorers. They run, climb, and are on the move non-stop — so we design sessions to fit their world.
Our favorite 2-year photo ideas:
- Little Adventurer: a woodland or outdoor inspired set with props to climb or carry.
- Balloon Run: letting them play with a bunch of helium balloons through the studio.
- Favorite Toy Feature: a stuffed animal or book that means everything right now.
- Family Playtime: tickles, piggy-back rides, and snuggles that show connection.
- Favorite Cartoon: Minnie, Mickey, Sesame Street, just to name a few. Let your kids play with what they love!
- Storytime: bring their favorite book, toddlers love to read their books
Jeanine and the team move at your child’s pace, capturing those split-second expressions you see every day but can never catch on camera yourself.
The 3-Year-Old Stage: Personality Plus!
By three, toddlers know what they like … and they’ll tell you so! We lean into that confidence with creative, theme-based sets and portrait styles that match their growing identity.
Our favorite 3-year photo ideas:
- Superhero Energy: cape and power pose moments that make them beam.
- Tea Party or Picnic Scene: perfect for toddlers who love pretend play.
- Trains: kids love trains! Enough said. LOL
- Color Splash: bright backdrops and props to highlight their favorite color.
- Simple and Classic: a cute outfit, a number, maybe a lollipop or something fun to eat!
Each session is filled with laughter, movement, and personality … and that’s exactly what makes these portraits so real.
Our Philosophy: From Milestones to Moments
Jeanine McLeod’s “why” is going through life with her clients.
These toddler sessions continue that journey — the story that started with your baby’s first birthday now grows into a portrait of curiosity, imagination, and love.
Our goal is simple: make you feel proud of the mom you are and the child you’re raising.
📸 Tips for a Successful Toddler Session
- Keep it short and sweet (30–45 minutes is plenty).
- Bring snacks and a favorite toy for comfort and bribes 😉.
- Dress for movement: soft fabrics, bare feet, and colors that pop on camera.
- Let go of perfection: some of the best photos come from the unexpected moments — a silly face, a big jump, or a runaway balloon!
💬 Client Love Highlight
“I was nervous about getting photos of my two-year-old because he never sits still. Jeanine reassured me that movement was part of the magic — and she was right! He played with bubbles, ran with balloons, and laughed the entire time. When I saw the photos, I realized she had captured him exactly as he is right now — wild, happy, and so loved.” — Brittany T., Wesley Chapel Mom
Celebrate This Chapter
Your baby has grown into a toddler with a mind of their own — and that’s something worth celebrating.
Let’s create portraits that honor who they are today and become the next page in your family’s story.
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.
