First birthday photoshoot in Warsaw where your one-year-old never has to pose
One-year-olds don't pose. They crawl under the table, poke a finger into the cake and land in your lap before you can blink. That's why this first birthday photoshoot in Warsaw asks nothing of your little one. I wait until they forget about the camera, and that's when I take the photos. No "look over here".
Photos from first birthday sessions
First birthday photoshoot prices in Warsaw
Silver package
A good choice if you want to capture the first birthday in one hour: portraits of your little one and a few shots with the parents.
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1 hour session The time includes the session plus letting your little one warm up. One-year-olds need a moment to forget about the camera, and I give them that time.
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Up to 200 photos in your gallery to choose from After the session you get a link to a private online gallery. All photos have natural colour editing and will never be published anywhere without your consent.
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10 retouched photos included You pick your 10 favourite shots from the gallery for detailed retouching. You can add more for an extra fee.
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Studio or outdoors A studio in Praga or Targówek, or outdoors, for example in Łazienki Park or Pole Mokotowskie.
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Retouching in 5 days You can also download photos and order prints from the gallery.
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Express editing in 24h: +€45 / $55 Finished photos within 24 hours of choosing your frames, for an extra fee.
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Two or three outfits An outfit change for your child and for you during the session. I share tips on what to bring in the booking guide.
Gold package
For parents who want it all: a cake smash, family photos and time for your little one to settle in without any rush.
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2 hours session Two hours is the ideal length for a session with a one-year-old: a calm warm-up, solo and family photos, an outfit change and the cake smash at the end.
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Up to 400 photos in your gallery to choose from Twice the choice of the shorter package, so besides portraits there's room for family shots and the cake smash.
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20 retouched photos included Every photo in the gallery has natural colour editing, and the 20 shots you choose get detailed retouching. You can add more for an extra fee.
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Studio and outdoors in one session The first part in the studio with controlled light, the second outdoors. That gives you two completely different looks in one day.
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Retouching in 5 days You can also download photos and order prints from the gallery.
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Express editing in 24h: +€45 / $55 Finished photos within 24 hours of choosing your frames, for an extra fee.
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Four to six outfits More outfit changes mean more variety. Bring a few outfits for your child and for yourselves, each change gives the photos a different feel.
Platinum package
The best choice if you want the whole first birthday documented, from the morning all the way to the cake.
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4 hours session We can do the four hours in one go or split them into two blocks, for example outdoors in the morning and a studio cake smash in the afternoon. Everything fits around your child's daily rhythm.
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Up to 800 photos in your gallery to choose from Photos from several locations and outfits in one private gallery that only you can access.
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40 retouched photos included Natural colour editing on everything and detailed retouching of the 40 shots you choose. You can add more for an extra fee.
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Studio, outdoors or at home Besides the studio and outdoor locations, I can also photograph you at home. I check the light conditions before I arrive.
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Retouching in 5 days The turnaround stays the same even with four hours of material.
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Express editing in 24h: +€45 / $55 Finished photos within 24 hours of choosing your frames, for an extra fee.
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Unlimited outfit changes Bring as many outfits as you like for your child and for yourselves. Change as often as you want.
What really happens during a first birthday photoshoot?
A child's first birthday is the one moment when they have no idea they're doing something important. That's exactly why the photos from this day feel so genuine. A first birthday photoshoot in Warsaw isn't a show for the camera. It's a record of who your child is right now, before they change beyond recognition in a few weeks.
One-year-olds are too curious not to notice the camera and too small to forget it on request. So I don't start by taking photos. I start by following your little one around, looking at what they look at and chatting about what they're doing. The camera stays to the side. I only pick it up once your child starts treating me like part of the furniture.
You don't have to pretend either. Crouch down, giggle, blow raspberries on their cheek. This is a session with your child, not a catalogue shoot, and that's where the best shots come from.
If you're planning to capture the whole journey with your child, from the very first photos to the christening and later birthdays, take a look at my newborn photoshoot in Warsaw too.
Who is a first birthday photoshoot in Warsaw for?
- You want photos before your child turns one: for the album, for prints, for the grandparents
- You're planning a cake smash and looking for a photographer who will set things up and won't stress about the mess, because here the mess is the whole point
- You want photos together with your child, not just of your child
- You'd like the session outdoors but want a studio as a backup in case the weather lets you down
- You need the photos ready quickly, because the birthday is next week or you want the prints in time
You're welcome to bring the whole family: parents, grandparents, older siblings. There's no limit on the number of people. Group shots often turn out better than planned portraits, because children respond to familiar faces.
If the christening is around the same time, we can book both sessions as a package. You'll find the details on my christening photographer in Warsaw page.
Cake smash: when the mess is the plan
A cake smash is a category of its own. You bring a cake or we order one together, your child gets it on a plate and does whatever they like with it. It usually takes a few minutes before your little one dares to touch it.
On the technical side, I shoot up close with fast shutter speeds so the movement doesn't blur. I set up the backdrop so the colours of the cake and the outfits work together. You can do the bath after the cake smash at home, just bring a clean change of clothes and a towel.
We usually do the cake smash in the studio, because a clean backdrop and a quick clean-up are easier there, but it also works at your home.
How does a first birthday photoshoot work, step by step?
Booking and a chat
We set a date and talk about the location (studio, outdoors, home), whether you're planning a cake smash and the mood of the session. I send you a short prep guide.
Session day
We start on your child's schedule, ideally after a nap and a meal, when your little one is well rested.
Warming up
One-year-olds warm up differently from older children. They don't talk to new people or answer questions. They check me out in their own way: touching my bag, coming up close, watching. I give them time for that, with no comments and no camera.
The session itself
I follow your little one. I photograph your child alone, with you and with siblings. I leave the cake smash for the end, so your child isn't covered in frosting for the rest of the session.
Online gallery and retouching
The photos go into a private online gallery. You browse them, pick the shots for retouching and order prints if you like. The retouched photos come back to you within 5 days.
For children's photography beyond the first birthday, from babies to older kids, see my children's photographer in Warsaw page.
Where we shoot: studio and outdoors
I work in two studios in Warsaw: in Praga and in Targówek. Studio hire is included in the price of the session. Each has natural light from large windows and a full lighting kit as a backup. You can bring a pram straight in, and there's a separate space for changing clothes and nappies.
For outdoor sessions there's Łazienki Park, Skaryszewski Park and Pole Mokotowskie if you want greenery, the Vistula boulevards at sunset, or the character of Praga if you're after something different from the usual park.
If it rains, we move the session to the studio or reschedule at no extra cost.
Family is more than a first birthday. If you're planning a session with the whole family, for any occasion, have a look at my family photoshoot in Warsaw page.
What parents say after the session
"Tomek is the first photographer my son didn't cry with. Seriously. Olek laughed and chased him around the park for the whole session. I got the photos after four days and couldn't believe that was my child. It all came out so natural and so lovely."
"I came with Kuba just after his first birthday and was sure nothing would work, because he can't sit still for even a minute. Tomek said that was fine, he wasn't going to ask him to sit anyway. These are the best photos we have of Kuba, and we have quite a few."
"We booked a first birthday session with a cake smash for our daughter. I was afraid it would turn into total chaos, and instead we got photos we want to frame. I never thought cake all over Hania's face could look this good."
How to prepare for a first birthday photoshoot
A few things that really make a difference to the result:
Time of day
Ideally after the morning nap and a meal. A tired, hungry child means tired parents and fewer good shots.Outfits
Bring two or three options. Avoid big prints and busy patterns that draw the eye away from faces. Earth tones, pastels and white look best in photos.A favourite toy
It can be a prop or simply help your child feel calm in the first few minutes.Cake for the cake smash
Bring your own or tell me in advance and I'll recommend a trusted bakery. It's important that it has no edible decorations that fall off and look bad in photos.A change of clothes for your child
If you're planning a cake smash, bring something to change into after the session.After you book, I send a detailed guide tailored to your type of session: studio, outdoors or at home.
If you're planning another baby, take a look at my maternity photoshoot in Warsaw page too.
First birthday photoshoot in Warsaw: book your date
A first birthday only happens once, and weekend dates go fastest.
Tell me when you'd like the session, in English or Polish. I'll reply within a few hours.