Why Altadena Valley Park is Perfect for First Birthday Photos
Altadena Valley Park offers a stunning backdrop for your little one’s first birthday photos. With its lush green spaces and natural scenery, this park creates beautiful memories.
The park has plenty of open areas where your newly mobile toddler can safely explore. This means we can capture those precious moments of curiosity and joy as they toddle around.
What makes this location truly special is the variety it offers:
- Tall grassy fields that look magical in photos
- Beautiful light at sunrsie and sunset
Parents love how the park lets kids be kids and allows us to select from many spaces where there are less likely to be distractions.
The gentle hills and flat areas give us options based on your child’s mobility level. Some one-year-olds are running while others are still crawling – Altadena works for both!
With bathroom facilities nearby and parking close to shooting locations, the practical aspects of your session become much easier, too.
Planning Your Child’s First Birthday Photo Session
Planning a first birthday photo session at Altadena Valley Park takes a bit of prep work. Let me help you get ready for an amazing shoot!
Best Times for Photos
- Morning (sunrise): Great for morning babies and during the times of the year when sunset is late
- Sunset (1 hour before scheduled sunset time): Perfect for soft, golden light and early Spring and Fall when the sunset isn’t too late for tired babies
Photo Session Checklist
- Snacks for your little one (this is just in case.) Filling their bellies before your session is best practice)
- Water for everyone
- Baby wipes (lots of them!)
- Extra outfit change (just in case or if you would like your precious baby in a couple outfits)
- Small toys or noise-makers (I will only suggest getting these out if necessary so they don’t end up in photos.)
- Comfort item ((I will only suggest getting these out if necessary or if you want them included)
Time Planning
Most first birthday sessions at Altadena last around 45 minutes unless you have booked a mini session. This gives us time to:
- Warm up and get comfortable
- Move around if needed
- Take breaks for snacks or diaper changes
- Capture both posed and candid moments
Kids this age have short attention spans, so keeping it under an hour works best. We’ll follow their lead and take breaks when needed to make sure we get those perfect first birthday smiles!
What to Wear for First Birthday Photos
Picking the right outfits for your little one’s first birthday photos can make these memories even more special. Here’s how to dress for success at Altadena Valley Park:
Color Schemes That Shine
The park’s natural greens and browns create a perfect backdrop for these colors:
- Soft neutrals – creams, tans, and light grays blend with the park setting
- Pastel tones – light pinks, blues, and yellows look great in spring and summer
- Light earth tones – light brown, light green, rose or mauve
Avoid neon colors or busy patterns that can take attention away from your child’s face and expressions.
Seasonal Outfit Tips
Spring/Summer:
- Light fabrics like cotton or linen
- Simple sundresses, rompers or bubbles
- Short sleeves or sleeveless options
- Bonnets that fit well
- shoes aren’t necessary unless they are bothered by the texture on their feet
Fall/Winter:
- Layer with cute cardigans
- Soft sweaters in cozy fabrics
- Boots or cute shoes for cooler months
- Beanies or bonnets that frame the face and fit well
Family Coordination
The whole family should look like they belong together without being too “matchy-matchy”:
- Pick 2-3 colors and have everyone wear some version of those
- Keep patterns simple or stick with solids (avoid plaids and large/busy patterns)
- Choose comfort over fancy – stiff or itchy clothes lead to cranky photos
- Dress for the weather so everyone stays happy
Props and Accessories
A few simple items can make photos more fun. We will always find things in the park like willdflowers and sticks to entertain with. They make for a nice, natural addition.
- A special stuffed animal or toy
- Small blanket for sitting areas
- Flowers
- Cake for a cake smash (we will save this till the end….see example here)
Remember that your baby is the star! Too many props can be distracting, so keep it simple and let your one-year-old’s personality shine through.
Candid vs. Posed Options
My goal is to mix both styles with a focus on natural interactions instead of stiff poses. If family members are included in the session I will have you tickle them, twirl or dance with them, and give them kisses to name a few options.
Little ones have their own timeline, so I keep sessions flexible and fun. The natural setting helps kids stay happy while we capture those once-in-a-lifetime first birthday moments!
This session included mom and baby but I have packages to include the entire family. Studio and in-home options are available, as well.
Ready to save these precious moments? Contact me today at lauracardanphoto.com/inquire to check my availability for Altadena Valley Park sessions!
The best dates fill up fast, so don’t wait too long to book your child’s first birthday photos!
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