Pittsburgh First Birthday Photographer

From the moment I laid eyes on you, I loved you.

But that love has expanded in infinite measure as I’ve watched you grow.

Pittsburgh first birthday photographer

A baby’s first year is full of incredible change and that’s why we love capturing their latest milestones like sitting, crawling, standing, and walking.  It’s no wonder first birthday sessions are our favorite way to celebrate this amazing year.  As your Pittsburgh first birthday photographer, we create beautiful natural portraits of your baby and you.  We start by highlighting your baby’s latest achievements and allow for natural interactions with family members to bring out their personality.  Additionally, some families like to do a cake smash and bubble bath session and we couldn’t be more thrilled to capture the fun that happens with these sessions.  We have a classic white highchair and provide clear balloons as well as a freestanding tub filled with bubbly warm water and bubbles blowing from above for a magical experience.

Pittsburgh First Birthday Photographer Portfolio

Celebrating Your Baby’s Milestones

Babies develop differently and while you can find lists with developmental milestones by month, we understand that each baby is unique.  Therefore, we celebrate by focusing on their latest achievements.  So please don’t fret if your baby isn’t able to sit/crawl/stand/walk by their first birthday.  They’ll get to it in their own way.  As your Pittsburgh first birthday photographer, we will work diligently to highlight their latest achievements and bring out their personality.

Our Process

In eight simple steps

1: Discovery Call or Text

We’ll take 10-minutes to get to learn about what you’re envisioning as well as answer any questions you might have.

Please fill out my contact form and I’ll be in touch soon.

2: Book Your Session

When you decide you’re ready to get started, sign the booking proposal to reserve your session.

You can pay your session fee online or mail a check

3: Getting to Know You

Fill out our questionnaire to plan your session.

We’ll use this info to prepare for your photoshoot.

4: Welcome Packet Mailed

We’ll email you our Welcome Guide.

So you’ll have everything you need to know for your session.

5: Photoshoot Day

Plan to arrive to the studio or the designated location 10 minutes prior to your session.

We’ll work together to create something beautiful.

6: Photo Reveal

We’ll project a highlights reel on the big screen and share mock-ups or artwork with your images.

Then, you’ll get to choose the images we retouch for your session.

7: Artwork Delivered

Retouched selections are emailed in a downloadable gallery within two weeks from your photo reveal.

Artwork ordered during your photo reveal is ready for pick-up within 4 weeks.

8: Enjoy Your Artwork

Seeing your artwork on display is the best way to enjoy your photos every day.

We incentivize this by including an additional retouched digital file for every $50 spent.

First Birthday Session Pricing

Whether it’s their first taste of cake or the wonder of a bubble bath, your child’s first birthday portrait is a big deal!  Some families opt for a traditional heirloom portrait while others prefer to go on-location for their child’s first birthday photoshoot.  As your Pittsburgh first birthday photographer, we’re here for it all!

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First birthday bubble bath photos Pittsburgh - First Birthday Portrait Session
First birthday session 1 - First Birthday Portrait Session

$500

  • Up to two hours in studio or on-location
  • Post-session photo reveal and consultation (in-person or online)
  • Your choice of 10 retouched digital files sized to make 8×10 prints or smaller
  • Wall art and albums available for purchase
  • Travel fee applicable for sessions beyond 30-minute radius of Captivating Imagery’s office in Cranberry, PA

Weekday Special: receive an additional five retouched digital files when you schedule your session during the day on a Monday through Friday.

Please call 412-427-8371 or email to learn more.  Ask about our Belly & Beyond package!

photographer Kate Miller - First Birthday Portrait Session

Meet the Photographer

Kate Miller has been photographing babies and first birthdays in Pittsburgh for 17 years and has had her own studio in Cranberry for three years.  During her free time, she enjoys trying new recipes, walking her Sheepadoodle, and going on adventures with her family.

Newborn photos - First Birthday Portrait Session

My husband and I found Kate about 4 years ago after our son was born. Since then, we have been in awe with her and her talent. She is the most honest and sincere, patient, and kind photographer we have ever met. Photographing kids is not always easy, and our son was no exception. There have been many times that i was ready to throw in the towel but somehow Kate was able to work her magic. She has never disappointed us. In fact, she has always exceeded my expectations. I never hesitate to recommend Kate to anyone.

Natural family photos - First Birthday Portrait Session

Kate is the best family photographer I’ve ever worked with. She was great with both of my young daughters during the session, giving direction and keeping their attention (not easy!). And most importantly, the final pictures look fantastic. She really picked the right name for her business because the images are captivating. We will definitely work with her again!

The Artwork

Following your session, Kate will put together a photo reveal and you’re invited to come to the studio to see your photos projected on the big screen.  Kate will prepare mock-ups of artwork featuring your images.  Our custom framing and heirloom albums are handcrafted and unsurpassed in quality.

Our heirloom albums feature your images beautifully and best of all, you can go back and turn through the pages of your story over and over again.

RECENT BLOG POSTS

View some of our recent First Birthday sessions in and around Pittsburgh PA.

Pittsburgh baby photographers - First Birthday Portrait SessionCaptivating Imagery
Bubble bath first birthday - First Birthday Portrait SessionCaptivating Imagery
bubble bath photoshoot - First Birthday Portrait SessionCaptivating Imagery

FAQs

How do I prepare for my child’s first birthday session?

First, we’re recommending that parents be a part of the first birthday session.  Choose your wardrobe and have it ready to go the night before your session.  Moisturize your skin and apply chapstick before going to bed (parents and babies too!).  Set an alarm for the morning to allow enough time for your regular morning routine (coffee, breakfast, getting-ready).

Bring snacks and a drink for your child.

What should we wear?

Consider scheduling a complimentary styling consultation with Captivating Imagery.  We have collection of dresses for mom to choose from and several options in sizes 6-12 months and 12-18 months.  We can also help with planning your wardrobe for the whole family.  Additionally, we offer suggestions in our Welcome Guide.  We’re the Pittsburgh first birthday photographer that has thought of it all!

Can I bring cake/balloons/confetti?

Absolutely!  We have a small helium tank and provide clear latex balloons.  If you would like to bring other balloons, please feel free.  If you haven’t already purchased a cake, we recommend Flour & Sugar Cakery and can even pick up your cake for you so that’s one less thing to bring. And yes, confetti is fine, though the canisters do make a loud pop, so we recommend loose confetti that you can toss.

Do I need a towel for a bubble bath?  A swim diaper?

We’ve got clean towels for bubble baths.  If you would like your child to sit in the tub in a diaper, please bring a swim diaper.  We only keep captures that are chest up and avoid shooting when kids bottoms are visible.

When can I see my photos?

Kate will email you to schedule your photo reveal about a week after your session.  Once you select your photos to be retouched, the files will be ready for you within two weeks.  Any orders of tangible artwork will be ready within a month from placing your order.

Like What You See??

Captivating Imagery is known for Award Winning Pittsburgh Newborn Photography. Kate has won Best Photographer in the Cranberry Eagle’s Reader’s Choice Awards in 2022, 2023, and 2024 and has been ranked among the best Pittsburgh newborn photographers since 2016.

She serves the Pittsburgh, Cranberry, Wexford, Sewickley, Mars, Warrendale, Zelienople, Seven Fields,  Beaver and the greater Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania region.

EST 2008 - First Birthday Portrait Session
ReadersChoiceAward - First Birthday Portrait Session
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