They say time flies.  I don't need to tell you this.  I'm sure everyone and their mom has told you this so you don't need me to reiterate it again.  I have babies of my own (I mean, my oldest turns TEN next year. 10.  DOUBLE DIGITS!!!) so I get how fast the years go.  So when Malyssa contacted me to setup Dallas' one year smash and splash and family session, it doesn't really feel real- it feels like we just finished their newborn session a few months ago!

I say it every. single. time.

Where does the time go?

How has it already been a year?

Why are they so big?

Time. Flies.

Noooooooo.  (I know, I'm dramatic).

How did we go from this?

To this?!

I see you all on social media (ok, that sounded creepy).  I quietly worry along side those first scary illnesses, celebrate the fun milestones your baby has hit, and fervently wish along side you that there was a way to slow down time.

Since there's not, I do my little part of capturing this chapter when I'm given the gift of being a part of this first birthday chapter.  I know a lot has happened in this year that I can't possibly photograph, but this particular chapter does still deserve to be told.  The first birthday is filled with so much joy, happiness, and celebration that deserves space on your walls and shelves besides just in your heart.

During their design meeting, we hashed out the details that we wanted to include in his first birthday.  They utilized the client closet, my cake lady made an "o-fish-ally" one cake, and I sent a reminder the day before the session to bring Matt's treasured model cars to the studio the morning of the session.  Fortunately, mom and dad know and trust me pretty well and agreed to my request to change the morning of their family session (and we're also willing to be ready by 7:15... eek!). But those family pictures? They're positively swoon worthy!

If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times that most babies LOVE the splash portion of the session- the cake portion? Not so much.  Despite a prep guide, the "pressure" of a photographed cake smash disinterests babes.  Regardless, the splash portion usually makes up for lackluster cake smashes in epic proportions.  Dallas was absolutely case in point.

Dallas may be one of the easiest baby boys I've photographed.  Typically, pandemic babies... well.  They typically don't love strangers.  Especially ones that play peek-a-boo with them but disappear behind a big black box instead of hands.  One year old are mobile, so they are fully aware and capable of crawling or walking off set.  And they do.  Fortunately, they're also still pretty easily entertained and both the smash and splash and family session were a breeze.  Their entire album was gorgeous from start to finish.

Smash and splash and family session