Milestone
My journal about
From first steps to first birthdays, marking the major milestones of your little one's incredible journey.
This session was everything I love about what I do—capturing big moments and little details, all wrapped up in the people who matter most. We combined two of my favorite things in one shoot: a first birthday cake smash and a multi-generational family session. And honestly? It was such a beautiful reminder that milestones don’t just belong to the little ones—we get to honor the whole family.
We photographed this session over the course of two separate days, which, let me just say, was 100% the right move. Because let’s be real: one-year-olds don’t have the attention span (or energy) for a full-blown photoshoot with family and a cake smash. Splitting the session gave us the space to be present and relaxed—and that always shows in the final images.
The first part of the session was focused on the family: grandparents, parents, and the birthday girl all together in the studio. The love in the room was immediate and easy. You could feel the pride, the joy, the full-circle energy of seeing generations gathered together in one frame. These are the kinds of photos that don’t just sit in a gallery—they become part of your legacy.
And then came part two: cake smash time. If you’ve ever considered doing one for your baby’s first birthday, let this be your sign. It was equal parts adorable and hilarious. Frosting-covered hands, a little confusion, a lot of giggles—it was the kind of chaos that’s completely worth documenting. These photos will be the ones you pull out when they’re ten, when they’re twenty, when they’re celebrating their own babies someday.
One of the best parts of doing this session in the studio was the flexibility. We weren’t worried about light or weather, or about finding a location that worked for grandparents and littles alike. The studio gave us everything we needed: soft natural light, access to the client closet, a calm environment, and an easy place to reset in between. It’s perfect for milestone moments and family sessions alike, especially when toddlers (or grandparents!) need a break.
When you’re planning a session like this, I always recommend thinking about color coordination and comfort. Neutrals, warm tones, and textures work beautifully on camera and pair so well with studio backdrops. But above all, pick pieces that feel like you. This session had a mix of cozy, elevated, and fun—and it captured the spirit of the family perfectly.
Here’s what I’ll say if you’ve been thinking about doing something like this: don’t wait. Whether it’s your baby’s first birthday or your parents’ first time in front of the camera in years, it’s worth celebrating. These moments come and go so quickly, and having photos of your people—all your people—is something you’ll never regret.
These images were filled with so much joy, pride, and sweetness (literally). A baby covered in cake. Grandparents holding hands. Parents watching it all unfold. It was everything a session should be: real, heartfelt, and totally unique to the people in it.
Want to Document a Milestone and Your Legacy?
Let’s capture the chaos, the sweetness, and all the love that lives in between.
Thank you for reading! If you’re looking for a Tampa photographer to help you preserve generational memories in a cozy, natural studio setting—I’d love to connect. Let’s capture your legacy together.
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The baby was absolutely adorable and loved her cake smash session…Overall, a total success and a very messy cake smash! We started the session with some clean portraits, and ended with the cake. As always, I edited the entire gallery in color and black&white.
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There’s nothing quite like watching three generations come together by the ocean—waves crashing, wind in your hair, little ones running wild between hugs and high-fives. It’s chaotic. It’s joyful. It’s real. And that’s exactly what made this Clearwater Beach session so special.
What started as a family legacy session quickly turned into something even bigger—a first birthday celebration filled with laughter, love, and frosting.
Three Generations, One Story
This wasn’t just a photoshoot. It was a moment. A memory in the making. A reminder of just how powerful it is to gather the people who’ve built your world—generation by generation—and document the beauty of what you’ve created together.
The energy was everything you’d expect with toddlers in the mix: loud, unpredictable, full of snacks and sandy toes. But woven through all of that were tiny, tender moments that stole the show.
Grandparents soaking up the chaos.
Parents trading glances and laughter.
Little ones soaking up every second of attention.
The kind of images that feel like time standing still.etween generations, every frame told a piece of their story.
Why I Love Generational Sessions at the Beach
The beach is one of my favorite places to photograph families like this. It doesn’t demand perfection. It invites movement, play, and presence. And that’s when the magic happens.
Here’s what makes beach sessions ideal for legacy moments:
- It’s all about connection. From tickles to hand-holding to candid glances, there’s space for natural emotion to shine.
- You don’t need much. The sand, the sea, and the people you love—Clearwater’s coastal glow does the rest.
- Everyone can relax. Kids roam, grandparents stroll, and the session flows like a walk on the beach (literally).
This session felt like a dance between generations—part celebration, part chaos, all heart.
A Beachy First Birthday Bash
In the middle of this generational lovefest? One very happy baby turning ONE.
We brought out a little cake, let him dig in, and embraced the joyful mess that followed. Sticky fingers, frosting-covered cheeks, sand in all the places… and zero stress about it.
There’s something so meaningful about celebrating that milestone surrounded by the people who helped shape it. It wasn’t just a cake smash—it was a moment of full-circle love.
Making Space for Legacy
What always stands out in sessions like this isn’t the scenery—it’s the emotion. The way grandma’s eyes linger on her grown child holding a baby of their own. The way generations laugh together like no time has passed. The unspoken pride. The layered stories.
These aren’t just portraits. They’re pieces of history.
I kept the session loose and natural—offering gentle direction when needed, but mostly following the flow. That’s where the truth lives: in the in-between.
Thinking About Your Own Multi-Generational Session?
Here are a few tips to help it come to life:
Let it breathe. I’ll guide you through it, but don’t stress about the “perfect” shot. The best ones are the real ones.
Coordinate your outfits, don’t match. Think soft neutrals, whites, earth tones, and denim—effortless and timeless.
Let go of perfection. Toddlers will run. Wind will blow hair. Embrace it—it’s all part of the story.
Bring the cake if there’s a milestone. A simple smash can turn into the highlight of your session.
What Legacy Looks Like
This session had it all: a breezy beach, the joy of a first birthday, generations showing up with their whole hearts, and a few tiny hands covered in cake.
It’s the kind of session that reminds me why this work matters. Because these aren’t just photos—they’re proof. That love is loud. That family is everything. That time doesn’t wait—but memories can.
Thank you for reading my blog. I love sharing real stories from sessions that celebrate love, legacy, and everything in between. If you’re ready to plan something meaningful for your family, click here to get in touch. I’d be honored to help you capture your own version of messy, magical, memory-making love.
This session was everything I love about what I do—capturing big moments and little details, all wrapped up in the people who matter most. We combined two of my favorite things in one shoot: a first birthday cake smash and a multi-generational family session. And honestly? It was such a beautiful reminder that milestones don’t just belong to the little ones—we get to honor the whole family.
We photographed this session over the course of two separate days, which, let me just say, was 100% the right move. Because let’s be real: one-year-olds don’t have the attention span (or energy) for a full-blown photoshoot with family and a cake smash. Splitting the session gave us the space to be present and relaxed—and that always shows in the final images.
The first part of the session was focused on the family: grandparents, parents, and the birthday girl all together in the studio. The love in the room was immediate and easy. You could feel the pride, the joy, the full-circle energy of seeing generations gathered together in one frame. These are the kinds of photos that don’t just sit in a gallery—they become part of your legacy.
And then came part two: cake smash time. If you’ve ever considered doing one for your baby’s first birthday, let this be your sign. It was equal parts adorable and hilarious. Frosting-covered hands, a little confusion, a lot of giggles—it was the kind of chaos that’s completely worth documenting. These photos will be the ones you pull out when they’re ten, when they’re twenty, when they’re celebrating their own babies someday.
One of the best parts of doing this session in the studio was the flexibility. We weren’t worried about light or weather, or about finding a location that worked for grandparents and littles alike. The studio gave us everything we needed: soft natural light, access to the client closet, a calm environment, and an easy place to reset in between. It’s perfect for milestone moments and family sessions alike, especially when toddlers (or grandparents!) need a break.
When you’re planning a session like this, I always recommend thinking about color coordination and comfort. Neutrals, warm tones, and textures work beautifully on camera and pair so well with studio backdrops. But above all, pick pieces that feel like you. This session had a mix of cozy, elevated, and fun—and it captured the spirit of the family perfectly.
Here’s what I’ll say if you’ve been thinking about doing something like this: don’t wait. Whether it’s your baby’s first birthday or your parents’ first time in front of the camera in years, it’s worth celebrating. These moments come and go so quickly, and having photos of your people—all your people—is something you’ll never regret.
These images were filled with so much joy, pride, and sweetness (literally). A baby covered in cake. Grandparents holding hands. Parents watching it all unfold. It was everything a session should be: real, heartfelt, and totally unique to the people in it.
Want to Document a Milestone and Your Legacy?
Let’s capture the chaos, the sweetness, and all the love that lives in between.
Thank you for reading! If you’re looking for a Tampa photographer to help you preserve generational memories in a cozy, natural studio setting—I’d love to connect. Let’s capture your legacy together.
I recently got to capture a milestone session at Spring Hill Studio for the cutest little girl and her family. Mom, Dad, big brother, and their sweet baby girl made this session so much fun!
From giggles with her big brother to snuggles with Mom and Dad and a few naps in between, every moment was so special. It’s always so much fun to capture these milestone moments, especially when the whole family is there.
This session at Spring Hill Studio was all about celebrating her big milestones with the people who love her most. I’m so glad I could document these moments for them to look back on!
Mom and I had originally planned for a dreamy sunset beach session, but as we all know, sometimes our little ones can have other plans! When I was driving around, I found these beautiful ruins on the side of the road and told mom about them, and it ended up being the perfect location for an early morning session. We met super early, before the heat came out, and it was still nice and shady. And get this – Baby A was exactly 6 months on the day of her session! How perfect was that?!
This session was super special because Beckett is almost the same age as my youngest kiddo. It’s wild seeing my little clients grow up so fast—babies really don’t waste any time, huh? Oh, and just so you know, I edit all the pics in both color and black & white! It’s my way of making sure your memories look awesome, no matter the vibe. It’s seriously the coolest thing watching these tiny humans change and grow, and I’m stoked I get to capture these moments. If you want a photographer who’s all about keeping it real and making your memories pop, I’m your gal!
The baby was absolutely adorable and loved her cake smash session…Overall, a total success and a very messy cake smash! We started the session with some clean portraits, and ended with the cake. As always, I edited the entire gallery in color and black&white.