29 Gorgeous 1st Birthday Photoshoot Ideas for 2025
Your baby’s first birthday marks their initial trip around the sun which is why you’re probably looking up 1st birthday photoshoot ideas — it’s a milestone worth preserving. As parents, we know these fleeting moments slip by faster than we can imagine, which is why documenting your little one's first birthday is one of the best first birthday party ideas. We’ve put together a selection of the top 1st birthday photoshoot ideas to try at home or in a studio with a professional photographer.
Jump to Section
- 1st Birthday Photoshoot Ideas for Girls
- 1st Birthday Photoshoot Ideas for Boys
- 1st Birthday Photoshoot Ideas at Home
- First Birthday Photoshoot Ideas With Parents
- 1st Birthday Photoshoot Ideas FAQs
1st Birthday Photoshoot Ideas for Girls
1. Cake Smash
The cake smash photoshoot is one of the best 1st birthday photoshoot ideas for girls and a popular trend for first birthdays. Choose a cake that complements your little one's outfit or party theme, and set up a gorgeous backdrop and decorations. Then, let your baby dive into the sweet chaos whether they’re smearing cake everywhere or taking playful nibbles, these adorable messy moments make for the best photos. For an easier cleanup, opt for minimal clothing so there’s less sticky laundry to deal with later.
2. Storybook Fantasy
Here’s a creative take on 1st birthday photoshoot ideas: choose one of your little one’s favorite storybooks and bring it to life for a day by designing a set based on the illustrations. Then, dress your baby as a character from the book and use props to reenact memorable scenes. Since this type of shoot may involve props and dressing up, it’s a good idea to set the stage while your baby naps. Then, when they wake up, you can capture a mix of posed and candid moments. And don’t worry about getting perfect poses; candid moments when she's exploring the scene can be just as magical.
3. Movie Theme
If you’re a family that enjoys watching movies together, why not celebrate your baby girl’s first birthday with a fun and creative movie theme? You can get the whole family to dress up as characters from a favorite film or let each person pick a different character to bring the theme to life. To keep things stress-free, choose a costume that’s comfortable and easy to put on and take off, and avoid anything with a tight fit, rough textures or tricky details.
4. Stuffed Toy Picnic
A teddy bear picnic with your little one’s favorite stuffed toys is one of the best 1st birthday photoshoot ideas for girls. You can stage it at a local park or garden and lay out a soft picnic blanket surrounded by a variety of teddy bears to set the scene. For the outfit, you can go with a sweet sundress or matching separates. Be sure to bring a cute picnic basket to use as a prop and don't forget a few simple snacks or treats to complete the look.
5. Rainbow Unicorn
Unicorns are a timeless favorite for kids, especially girls, making them the ideal theme for your little one’s first birthday photoshoot. This theme is relatively easy to pull off; simply dress your baby in their favorite unicorn outfit and add a tiny horn headband for an extra touch of cuteness. You can make the scene even more magical by using props like rainbow backdrops, shimmery fabrics and soft clouds.
6. Paint Splash
For parents looking for a fun and equally messy alternative to a cake smash, why not try a paint splash photoshoot? This idea is particularly ideal for a baby who enjoys being creative with arts and crafts. They’ll have oodles of fun splashing paint everywhere while the photographer snaps paint-covered giggles.
7. Boho Floral Tent
Get one of those lovely lace tents and decorate it with cute pink flowers, cushions and white wooden letters spelling the word “ONE.” Of course, you can customize the color scheme to your preference. Some of the most popular color options for 1st birthday photoshoot ideas for girls include lilac, lavender, yellow and orange to name a few.
1st Birthday Photoshoot Ideas for Boys
8. Sports Fan
Bring your passion for sports into your child’s first birthday celebration with a basketball-themed photoshoot. You can really go all out with this theme; think themed decorations and a cake that matches your favorite team or set up a mini photo session where your tiny MVP plays with different sports props like grabbing a basketball or rolling a soccer ball. To make it extra special, dress your baby in a tiny team jersey.
9. Animal Fun
At around the first year mark, your baby is likely learning about the wonderful world of animals. If they seem especially fascinated by dogs, cats or even zebras, you can plan their entire first birthday celebration around that theme and dress them up to match. For the photoshoot, create a fun backdrop like a forest for a wild animal or a cozy home for a pet and play animal sounds in the background to bring the theme to life and help your baby really get into character.
10. Superhero
A superhero theme is a fantastic way to celebrate your little hero's first milestone. Arguably one of the most fun 1st birthday photoshoot ideas for boys, this epic theme is a great way to showcase your baby’s growing personality and sense of adventure. Whether you’re doing the photoshoot in studio or at home, you can really go all out with props like mini capes, masks and action figures to bring the theme to life.
11. Sailor
Let your little one set sail on a fun adventure with a sailor-themed photoshoot. You can dress them up in a cute sailor outfit, complete with a scarf and matching cap, and add a miniature boat as a prop or let your baby hold it. As you're taking the photos, make sure to stand nearby and call their name to capture their attention and get those adorable smiles.
12. Little Mr. Onederful
Give your baby a show-stopping first birthday photoshoot with the "Mr. Onederful" theme. Inspired by beloved Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary, this theme comes together with a mini “baby grand” piano surrounded by a marquee displaying a personalized message and light-up letters spelling "ONE." You could also add a balloon arch featuring bow tie accents and consider using soft, neutral colors for this one to get a more timeless look.
13. Outdoor Adventurer
Another great option for all the 1st birthday photoshoot ideas for boys is the outdoor adventurer theme. For this photoshoot, plan an outdoor session in a scenic local park or a spot with plenty of trees, natural lighting and open space. Then, dress your little explorer in comfortable, weather-appropriate clothes and bring a favorite toy or soft blanket as a memorable prop. The goal is to capture your son's curiosity and sense of wonder as he discovers the outdoor world. Stay close to keep the mood relaxed and let him play with fallen leaves, examine flowers or sit peacefully near a gentle stream.
14. Little Chef
Looking for more 1st birthday photoshoot ideas for boys? Consider a culinary theme where you dress your baby up in a tiny apron and chef’s hat for an adorable kitchen-themed shoot. Set them up in a safe, child-friendly kitchen with age-appropriate utensils and play food, and let them explore, roll some dough or even “taste” a few pretend ingredients while you capture those sweet, candid moments.
15. Hot Air Balloon
The hot air balloon theme makes for a charming first birthday photoshoot idea. Start with a large white balloon sitting in a basket, then add hanging hot air balloons decorated with stars and clouds. You can use white wooden letters to spell out the word "ONE" and set everything against a blue background. Complete the dreamy, whimsical scene you’ve created with soft cotton clouds along the background for a realistic finish.
16. Winnie the Pooh Theme
A Winnie the Pooh-themed setup is one of the most adorable 1st birthday photoshoot ideas for boys. It all starts with bringing the Hundred Acre Wood to life with a charming backdrop framed with greenery. You’ll also want to dress your baby as Christopher Robin or in colors that match the theme and add a little Winnie the Pooh stuffed toy to the scene to complete the picture-perfect scene. Or dress the guy as Poohbear and have the other characters surround him. Oh, bother.
1st Birthday Photoshoot Ideas at Home
17. Bring the Grandparents In
The older your baby gets, the more precious those multigenerational moments become and first birthday photoshoots are the perfect opportunity to capture these special memories. You could position the grandparents on either side of your little one — whether in a high chair or cradled in their arms — to create a heartwarming snapshot of them celebrating together. Make the picture even more harmonious by coordinating simple, complementary outfits.
18. Balloons
Balloons are the ultimate symbol of celebration and instantly set the tone for a birthday party. So what better way to celebrate this major milestone in your baby’s life than with a balloon-themed photoshoot? This simple idea is one of the best 1st birthday photoshoot ideas at home because it’s so easy to pull off. All you have to do is snap some adorable photos with your child holding a single bright balloon during their birthday party or create a dedicated photo station filled with colorful balloons and matching decorations.
19. Number One Sign
One of the simplest 1st birthday photoshoot ideas at home, the number one theme is super easy to pull off. You can go with a classic number one balloon or get creative by crafting the number out of toys, flowers or other fun props. You can even make this a yearly tradition for each birthday to create a beautiful visual timeline of your child's growth.
20. Bubbles
Bubbles have a magical way of captivating kids’ attention, making them a great addition to your little one’s 1st birthday photoshoot ideas. You can incorporate them into an outdoor photoshoot by gently blowing them toward your baby while your photographer works their magic. This is also worth adding to your list of indoor birthday party ideas if their celebration is in the winter, as watching your baby’s eyes light up while reaching for the bubbles is pure joy.
21. Chalkboard Theme
Your baby will be heading to school pretty soon, so you might as well introduce them to the chalkboard in a fun and creative way with a chalkboard-themed photoshoot. All you need is to find a simple, uncluttered wall or door and hang a chalkboard (even using an existing nail where a picture might go works well) and use that as your background. Then, place your little one in a high chair in front of the chalkboard and let the photographer work their magic.
22. The Perfect Present
When it comes to 1st birthday photoshoot ideas, nothing expresses the idea of your baby being a precious gift quite like a gift-themed session. Simply capture your baby sitting or standing in a beautifully wrapped box and choose a simple background like a neutral sheet. It’s a simple setup that doubles as a playful way to keep your little one in one spot — at least for a few moments. Just make sure to take plenty of photos before they decide they’re ready to move on to the next adventure.
23. Bath Time
For simple yet memorable 1st birthday photoshoot ideas, turn bath time into a fun photo session and snap pictures of your little one splashing around with a big smile. Complete the scene by adding some simple first birthday decorations in the background and if your baby has siblings, they can join the fun in the tub, too. While this may not be a big party celebration, it’s definitely a charming way to create keepsake photos in a cinch.
First Birthday Photoshoot Ideas With Parents
24. A Family Photo
If you’re looking for unique first birthday photoshoot ideas with parents, a family photo is a must. You can mix things up with a blend of posed pictures and candid moments that showcase your family’s love and connection. One popular pose to try is with mom and dad on either side, holding their little one’s hands. Then, after capturing those adorable shots with parents, you can rope in siblings, and even extended family like cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles.
25. Growth Collage
One of the most memorable first birthday photoshoot ideas with parents is to create a 1st birthday time capsule with a photo collage showcasing your baby’s journey from birth to their first birthday. Include a photo from the day your baby was born and one for each milestone month leading up to their first birthday. And then for the big day, add festive decorations and props to highlight the occasion. While it does require some patience and creativity, this is a beautiful way to celebrate just how much your baby has grown in one year.
26. Tiny Gardener
Dressing your baby in cute gardening clothes is a sweet choice that’s perfect for garden-loving parents. You can set up a charming mini garden with potted plants, flowers and even a tiny garden bench and complete the look with a sun hat and some little gardening tools. From here, simply snap away to capture your tiny tot "tending" to their imaginary garden with curious hands and their cute messy face.
27. Twinning!
Dress the whole crew in coordinating outfits to highlight the special connection between you and your child. This idea works particularly well for Fall birthdays, where the colorful changing leaves make the perfect backdrop for your family photo and it’ll look even better with matching outfits.
28. A Slice of Normal Life
While it’s fun to make sure your birthday photos are full of special birthday details, there’s also something really meaningful about capturing your everyday moments. After all, your baby will only turn one once, so take some pictures of what life is like at home right now. This is a type of photography known as "lifestyle" photography and is all about snapping photos of you just being yourselves in your familiar surroundings. Capture moments in your baby’s room, the living room, or the kitchen — wherever you spend your time together. The most special part of these photos will be the natural interactions between you, showing the love and comfort you share in your own space.
29. Pool Fun
For a fun and playful touch, consider unique first birthday photoshoot ideas with a summer theme. If you have a swimming pool, you can dress your little one in an adorable swimsuit and sunglasses and create a beach-themed scene with props like a towel, an umbrella or even a volleyball. Be sure to keep the session quick and playful so you can catch those genuine, giggly moments before your little one gets restless.
1st Birthday Photoshoot Ideas FAQs
How Do I Prepare My 1-Year-Old for a Photoshoot?
Once you’ve chosen an option from one of these 1st birthday photoshoot ideas, the next step is to prepare for the session. The first thing is to choose the location: it could be a studio, your home or a scenic outdoor spot. Work with your photographer to select background props and sets and decide on outfits. You can bring your own or ask the photographer for options, as many studios offer a variety of clothes for both girls and boys that you’re welcome to use.
For an outdoor shoot, keep in mind that some babies may not enjoy sitting on grass, especially if they’re in shorts. In that case, consider a more comfortable spot or bring a blanket to lay on the grass. Lastly, choosing a photographer who is not only talented with a camera but also great with kids is another key consideration. A photographer who knows how to connect with small children will go a long way to making the photoshoot enjoyable for everyone. Remember that infant photography is different from newborn photography ideas. Newborn photographers may not specialize in infant photography.
When Should You Take First Birthday Pictures?
It’s a good idea to schedule your photo session close to your baby’s first birthday to make sure everything goes smoothly. This will give the photographer enough time to edit the photos and have them ready to share in time for the big day or right after.
No matter which photoshoot idea you choose, remember to have fun keeping in mind that your baby’s first birthday is a time to celebrate and make memories. A lot of these ideas, such as the bubbles and superhero theme, make for great birthday party activities and are worth incorporating into your to-do list as you plan your little one’s birthday party.
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