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There’s something extra special about Leap Day babies—especially when they come back to your studio a whole year older. I first met Sophie and Chloe during our Mother’s Day mini sessions last spring. Their mom, Holli, brought them and their older sister in for some sweet family portraits, and I immediately fell in love with their bright blue eyes and twin charm. So when Holli reached out to book their one-year milestone session, I was over the moon.
Sophie and Chloe were born on February 29th, so technically the day they were born didn’t even exist this year—but that didn’t stop us from celebrating! Their milestone session was full of pink, giggles, meltdowns, and real toddler moments. I set up a soft, feminine birthday-themed pink backdrop using pink balloons, faux florals, and a sage green blanket for crawling and lounging. I also hand-painted a couple “ONE” signs to personalize their milestone.
As any parent of one-year-olds will tell you, toddlers have big feelings—and they show up to sessions exactly as they are. Sophie and Chloe were not thrilled about being in front of the camera at first. Chloe took to some of my squeaky toys and soft rattles, but even with all my best tricks, we hit our fair share of tears and full-on meltdowns. Totally normal—and totally expected when working with littles.
One thing I’ve learned as both a photographer and a new mom myself is that flexibility is everything. Holli was amazing and suggested stepping just outside the studio to see if they’d settle down a bit without her in sight. Sure enough, we got a few calmer moments—but the second she stepped back in, the girls were back to full-blown emotion. It’s part of what makes milestone sessions so real and so beautiful: they’re a snapshot of who your babies are right now, with all the silliness, sweetness, and sass that comes with it.
We paused for snacks and drinks, and that made all the difference. We discovered that the twins loved lounging on the bean bag in the sitting area, so Holli had the genius idea to bring it into the set. It actually ended up blending beautifully with their outfits and the soft tones of the backdrop. With snacks in hand, comfy seats under them, and mom cheering behind me, we captured some of the happiest smiles of the session—proof that the magic usually happens at the end when everyone lets go of expectations and just plays.
Holli reminded me of something so important: sometimes the best photos are the real ones, even when there are tears. She told me, “If you capture them crying, that’s okay too—that’s just who they are right now.” That stuck with me. As photographers, we’re not always chasing perfection—we’re preserving moments, messy and beautiful as they may be.
That being said, yes—I do go through and clean up things like snot bubbles and snack crumbs in the final edits (you’re welcome 😅). I always aim for polished, print-worthy images that still reflect the honesty of the moment.
Sophie and Chloe may have had a rocky start to their milestone session, but they absolutely stole the show in the end. From their tiny hair sprouts (styled by mom!) to those unforgettable blue eyes, I’m so glad I got to celebrate their first birthday with them in such a meaningful way.
If you're considering a milestone session for your little one, know this: I build in time for pauses, snuggles, and snacks. I don't book back-to-back sessions for this reason. Whether your baby is smiley, shy, or having a day full of big toddler feelings, we'll work together to create something beautiful. Because every stage—yes, even the fussy ones—is worth remembering.