1 Year Pictures A Sweet Studio Session in Northeast Minneapolis

If you’ve ever thought babies change fast in that first year, just wait until you see them at one. Suddenly they’re not tiny squishy newborns anymore, but actual people with opinions, personalities, and the kind of curiosity that makes you say “don’t put that in your mouth” about 472 times a day. That’s exactly why 1 year pictures are one of my favorite milestones to capture.

Last December, I had the sweetest one-year session in my Northeast Minneapolis studio. It had everything: wooden toys, a tea party for two, a wooden “cake” (because real frosting is…a lot), and a mama who looked stunning in a borrowed dress from my studio wardrobe. Spoiler alert: her daughter totally stole the show anyway.

Why 1 Year Pictures Are a Must

Babies at this age are busy. They’re explorers, comedians, and occasionally little escape artists. Which makes photographing them equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. By the time kids turn one, parents often feel like they’ve survived a marathon (with fewer medals and way more snack crumbs).

That’s why 1 year pictures matter. They’re not just about the milestone it’s about celebrating the wild, wonderful year you’ve had together. You’ll look back and remember their baby giggles, the way they smushed their fingers into toys instead of cake, and the look of pure joy when mom sat down for a tea party on the studio floor.

And once you’ve got photos checked off your list, you might be planning the big birthday party, too. If you need some inspiration, Parents.com has a roundup of fun first birthday ideas that might spark a theme you’ll love.

Inside the Session: Toys, Tea, and a Wooden Cake

This session was the perfect blend of sweet and playful. Mom slipped into a flowy dress from my studio wardrobe (because let’s be honest—shopping for yourself while wrangling a one-year-old is not exactly relaxing). Her daughter was the real star, though, with big smiles, curious eyes, and the willingness to humor us in a tea party setup.

We kept props minimal but meaningful. Wooden toys for simple play, a mini tea set that turned into a laugh-fest, and a wooden cake to mark that big first birthday. Why wooden instead of real frosting? Simple—no sugar rush, no sticky mess, and zero chance of me finding frosting in my camera bag a week later.

The mQn Experience

A Studio Made for 1 Year Pictures

My studio in Northeast Minneapolis has two very different vibes, which makes it perfect for milestone sessions. On one side, it’s all white walls, soft natural light, and clean minimalism—the kind of backdrop that makes little ones pop against the simplicity. On the other side, there’s a lime-washed blue wall with warm wood floors, giving portraits a cozy, artistic feel.

For this session, we used both sides. The white wall gave us those timeless, bright shots that families love to frame. The blue wall added depth and warmth, perfect for mom-and-daughter snuggles. Together, it felt like two sessions in one—without ever leaving the building. And since it’s Minnesota, staying indoors where the weather can’t ruin our plans is always a win.

What Families Love About Studio Sessions

Zero weather drama. No worrying about rain, wind, or snow.
Wardrobe access. Borrowing a dress saves parents from late-night Target runs or frantic online orders.
Play-friendly setups. Toys, tea sets, and cakes are easier to manage when everything’s right here.

Best of all, families can relax. No long walks, no bug spray, no chasing toddlers through a field while yelling “don’t eat that stick!” Studio sessions are calm, contained, and still give you images full of personality.

Making the Session Fun (Because Toddlers Don’t Do Boring)

A big part of photographing one-year-olds is keeping it playful. If I told a one-year-old to “pose nicely,” I’d probably just get a confused stare before they tried to eat my lens cap. Instead, I let kids lead the way. We laugh, we play, we roll with whatever they want to do.

That tea party? Totally unscripted. Mom sat down, baby giggled, and suddenly it turned into some of my favorite shots of the day. It’s those little unexpected moments that turn into big memories.

Pricing Information

Why Parents Love Having 1 Year Pictures

Parents often tell me they were on the fence about scheduling professional photos. But afterward, they always say the same thing: “I’m so glad we did this.” Because let’s be real, phone photos are great, but they don’t end up printed and framed in the living room. They don’t capture the little details in quite the same way.

Professional 1 year pictures give you something lasting. The baby rolls, the new teeth, the way they cling to mom’s dress or belly laugh at peekaboo—those are moments worth saving.

FAQ: 1 Year Pictures in the Studio

1. Do you provide outfits for moms and babies?

Yes! My studio wardrobe includes dresses for moms and clothing options for little ones under five. For this session, mom borrowed a dress, which looked gorgeous and took one more thing off her to-do list. Babies can wear pieces from the wardrobe or bring their own favorites.

2. What props are included?

I keep props simple and timeless—think wooden toys, tea sets, and milestone markers like a wooden cake. The goal is to highlight your baby, not overwhelm the photos with stuff. If you have a sentimental item (like a favorite blanket or toy), bring it along—we’ll work it in.

3. How long does a 1 year session take?

That depends on the type of session you book:

Petite Session (30 minutes): Perfect if you want family photos and milestone images, but without the cake smash. This is what we did for this session.
Signature Session (45–60 minutes): The full experience, with time for family portraits and a cake smash. If frosting flying everywhere is your dream, this is the way to go.
Mini Milestone Session (15 minutes): A quick, baby-only option for simple milestone photos. Think of it as a “just enough” session to capture the moment without the extras.

One-year-olds are usually done after a short window anyway, so each session length is designed to work with their energy (and attention span).

Ready to Plan Your Baby’s 1 Year Pictures?

Your baby only turns one once. And trust me, you don’t want to blink and realize you skipped it. Between the props, the wardrobe, and the two beautiful studio backdrops, you’ll end up with images you’ll laugh about and love for years.

Let’s start planning—book in advance!

Michele is a Minneapolis-based family photographer who believes milestone photos should be equal parts meaningful and fun. With 15 years of experience behind the camera, she knows exactly how to capture the big milestones (like a first birthday) and the in-between moments (like a baby’s belly laugh when mom pretends to sip imaginary tea). Her Northeast Minneapolis studio is designed with families in mind—clean, simple backdrops, a client wardrobe that saves parents from last-minute shopping panic, and just enough toys to keep little ones entertained without distracting from the star of the show.

When she’s not photographing families, Michele is probably brainstorming new ways to make parents laugh during sessions, testing out snacks that don’t leave frosting on her camera gear, or chasing after her own crew at home.

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