A First Birthday Celebration

I love working with couples on their wedding days! I also love getting to know my brides during the months before the big day. Houda is one of my former brides who turned into a friend. We’ve stayed in touch since I photographed her wedding a few years ago. I’ve worked with her family several times, including photographing two of her cousin’s weddings! I was so excited for her when she shared the exciting news that she and her husband, Abrar, were expecting little Naia. Last year I photographed her maternity and lifestyle newborn photos, so when she emailed me saying she wanted to mark Naia’s first birthday with some portraits, I was totally game. And, bonus, I got to celebrate with the whole family at Naia’s first birthday party!

This little princess truly was the star of the birthday festivities. Before guests arrived to celebrate with cake and presents, we did a mini family portrait session. We took the portraits at Houda’s parents’ home…in the same spot where we took many portraits on wedding day and their maternity session. It holds a special place in Houda’s heart and I love that sentimentality of returning to this same location for more milestones. I also love the gorgeous window light in this room. Talk about a photographer’s dream!

There is something so special about working with the same clients over and over again. In many ways you start to feel like you’re part of the family. Naia probably won’t remember her first birthday party. Our memories don’t tend to go back that far. But one day she’ll look at these photos and she’ll see just how much love her parents have for her. She’ll see how much JOY she’s brought to their lives. And she’ll laugh at how thoroughly she enjoyed her “cake smash” – the party’s big finale.

During their maternity session, Abrar shared with me an old Arabic saying. The phrase translated into something like this: God loves him most who gave him daughters. I immediately loved that quote and came home to write it in my journal. I couldn’t help but thinking of that beautiful phrase as I took these photos. Naia, you are so loved by your family! Happy First Birthday!

Y’all isn’t she just a doll?! Her daddy certainly knew how to make her giggle!

You know I couldn’t do family portraits without working in a few of just mom and dad! These two are such pros at being photographed by now. I love every chance I have to get them in front of my camera!