The Most Unique 1st Birthday Celebration Ever // CopperRed Photography

Cute Sitter Shoot / Paint Fight / Cake Smash /
Splash After Smash

What more could you want for a 1st Birthday Celebration?

Okay, so I am a full time photographer but also a full time mummy and my youngest little champion is turning the big ONE this week. How better to celebrate this momentous occasion than by going completely overboard with crazy ideas for photos. I can get away with it right? It's my job lol.

My ambitious photography heart just wanted to use this occasion to the max and incorporate all that I am blessed to do for other Toronto families on a day to day basis, along with a pretty unique idea. My creative juices were in overdrive.

I knew from the outset when I was brainstorming and planning away inside my head months ago that I needed an incredible sitter romper to start with. After a lot of searching I came across @UltimateKnits on Etsy and fell in love with this dark blue, handmade gem! 

It's amazing right?!! 

Now a big drum roll please as here comes my genius idea that I was extremely excited about, but also nervous that it may just be an epic fail.

Please brace yourselves for the cutest baby photos you have ever seen!!!

In the beginning there was paint...

Then you add a birthday baby boy...

And ta-da, you get pure fun!

My whole concept for this photo session was to be crazy about colour. The more the merrier.

I love rainbows and brightness and the way they express happiness. I think its a great theme for celebrating a first birthday.
 

If I had any concerns over whether or not my Joel would love it they were wiped clean with the first paint to baby interaction.
Other than his desire to eat the paint, he could not have been happier making a colourful mess. 

Like butter wouldn't melt, right?

Colour, fun, mess and all the ingredients needed to mark this first birthday properly. 

This end result from stage two of his epic photo session makes my heart happy. He had tons of fun and I had even more capturing it.

Colours bring life, they bring excitement and enjoyment to everyday life and it was perfect.

After a fair bit of clean up and baby entertaining by hubbie it was time for round 3 - The Cake Smash!

Of course the rainbow colour theme continued! 

I hit an epic fail on the sourcing of my cake for the smash and ended up having to bake it myself the night before. Believe me when I say that I am by no means a baker and this made me very nervous. 

If it wasn't for the kindness of a fellow mummy from a Toronto based Facebook group, Pink n Blue, it would never have been completed. This lady to whom I am eternally grateful and yet have never met, was kind enough to lend me the mould tin required to make this giant cup cake. 

On a side note, I now have an incredible appreciation for the talent that is frosting! Anyone who has tried to ice a cake will know what I am talking, man it is hard and complex. This rainbow theme meant 6 layers of different coloured icing!!!!

Although this part of the photography session is best known as the Cake Smash, it was much more of a slow cake consumption for Mr Joel.

Let the sugar rush begin lol. My beautiful cupcake masterpiece is officially destroyed and fulfilling it's purpose. I don't think he could put it in fast enough. So many laughs watching him have fun experiencing all the textures and flavours.

And there you have it, stage 3 was epic. The giant rainbow cupcake is obliterated by the birthday boy.

That's one awesome cake smash Mr Joel, made mummy proud. 

Of course it's not over yet. With all that mess there has to be a clean up. What better way than a 'Splash After Smash' special with his big brother.

#Bubbles, water, laughter and smiles. 

And with that adorable bubble filled baby face I bow out. 

My epic first birthday photography plan was a success. We managed to avoid melt downs, tears and instead experienced fun, giggles, mess, and a whole world of fun. So many memories made.

So if you are looking for a little something different I highly recommend a first birthday paint fight! 

We definitely need more colour in this world so bring it a full on rainbow.

Happy First Birthday Baby Boy x