RESERVE YOUR PURE STUDIO MINI SESSION

I had the best time capturing and celebrating one-year-old Macie for her soft pink winter wonderland cake smash! Between the watercolor details and the sweetest winter animals, this cake smash session felt like stepping into a dreamy winter wonderland. It was the perfect way to celebrate such a special milestone.

This family holds such a special place in my heart. I photographed Macie’s sweet newborn session just a year ago, and years before that, I captured her big brother Rocco’s cake smash when he turned one. Getting to welcome families back year after year, milestone after milestone, is one of the greatest joys of my work.

A Custom Winter Wonderland Backdrop for Macie

When Macie’s mom sent me a photo of her birthday party invitations, I instantly knew we could create something truly beautiful to match. The invitations featured soft pink watercolors, sweet deer, and other winter animals, all of which became the inspiration for Macie’s custom cake smash design.

Together, we brought that vision to life with a soft pink winter wonderland backdrop that felt whimsical and perfectly suited for her first birthday. Seeing everything come together so seamlessly is one of my favorite parts of designing custom cake smash sessions. I design every detail with your child and your celebration in mind.

Family Portraits: A Year in the Making

As beautiful as the cake smash was, the heart of this session was truly the family portraits. This past year, these portraits had been a dream for Macie’s mom. After Rocco was born, we created a beautiful gallery wall in their living room, with a prominent family portrait at the center. When Macie arrived, she knew she wanted to update that family portrait, but timing matters so much when little ones are adjusting to big life changes.

A year ago, Rocco was brand new to being a big brother. He was quiet, a bit unsure, and still finding his footing in this big new role. I encouraged the family to wait and give him time to grow, to bond, and to settle into life with his baby sister. I promised them that with time, we would be able to capture something truly special.

And wow… did he ever deliver.

At this session, Rocco absolutely brought his A-game. He was all smiles, full of cuddles, and so proud to be Macie’s big brother. He loved snuggling up with her, telling us how nice she was, and being part of every moment. The sibling portraits were overflowing with connection, and the family has so many beautiful family portraits to choose from.

Watching the bond between Rocco and Macie was incredibly moving. These are the kinds of portraits that grow more meaningful with time. They are keepsakes that will hold so much love and history as these two continue to grow up side by side.

My Child-First Approach

One of the things I care deeply about in my work is creating a studio environment where every child feels welcome and supported. Some children jump right in and others need time to adjust. Some are shy and cautious, while some are full of energy. All of these behaviors are completely normal and welcome.

My approach is always child-led. That means setting gentle expectations, offering choices, moving at your child’s pace, and allowing space for growth, not just within a single session, but over time.

For families who worry, “My child would never cooperate for this,” or “My kid could never do a studio session,” I want you to know: you are exactly the families I love working with. There is no rush or pressure to perform. There is only patience, understanding, and a deep belief that every family deserves to have their story documented beautifully.

Seeing Rocco’s growth over this past year, and capturing these joyful, connected family portraits is a perfect reminder of why it is important to give children time and space.

Soft Pink Winter Wonderland Cake Smash

From Macie’s soft pink winter wonderland cake smash to the heartfelt family and sibling portraits, this session was filled with so much beauty and love.

It is an honor to be invited back into this family’s story to document these precious milestones. Happy first birthday, sweet Macie.

Ready to schedule your newborn session in a studio that welcomes your entire family and wants them to feel involved in the process? Let’s chat! It’s important to me that your family feels loved and seen through the session.