Hi, I’m Shani and I’m a photographer mum who loves taking birthday photos of her kids.

I know it’s cliche, but I can’t help it so I’ve decided to just embrace it! And do you know what else? My kids actually don’t mind (for now!)

In fact, I’ll go as far as to say that my kids really enjoy having their photos taken by me. It’s turned into a special bonding time that they genuinely look forward to. There are no bribes involved, and although I’m often a bit sweatier by the end of it, there is always a feeling of relief and satisfaction. Perhaps it’s because I know that Future Me will be so intensely grateful that I captured that moment. It’s safely documented and banked and we can all enjoy them for years and years to come. I weirdly (or maybe it’s not so weird) get a lot of reassurance knowing that I have photographed the kids.

The Birthday Tradition

I started my photography business full time when my eldest was just 8 weeks old. Naturally, I spent a lot of time practising my sets, themes and new equipment with her as my test model. In hindsight, she has been my single greatest influence to push me out of comfort zone and try new things.

This little tradition of course started when she turned one. Since then, I try to photograph them before their birthdays as we’re always so busy on the day. From experience, I’ve found the less pressure I put on myself, the more enjoyable the experience is for everyone. And in turn, it has set the precedence for the way I shoot generally with my clients.

Our daughter’s birthdays are 6 weeks apart, so when I had my youngest last year, I didn’t have loads in the tank for a birthday photo session for my eldest – sounds bad, I know! But actually, embracing the tiredness of the newborn bubble made those particular set of birthday photos even more special. Remembering her simply being happy to become a big sister is a summer I will never forget.

So let’s get into the birthdays so far…

Turning One – A Cake Smash Feels Mandatory

I love a cake smash. It’s the perfect way to mark the celebration of turning one. Watching a toddler unravel their sweet tooth often for the first time – priceless. You can find out more about my Cake Smash Sessions here. Fun fact: This is in fact my youngest who turned one recently.

Turning Two – Trying out Mum’s new sets and props

To be fair, it was a Covid summer, so I was feeling a little less inspired. Nonetheless, we threw on a cute outfit, got baby girl’s hair did and banked the birthday anyway!

Wild and Three

Exploring the outdoors with Daddy and Nanny for back up because, whew! – we were on the run that day. Probably the sweatiest I’ve ever gotten photographing my kid, but super fun and totally worth it.

Turning Four and wanting to be a ballerina when she grows up

Ahh, where the ballet obsession began. It’s still going strong to be honest, but gymnastics has also entered the group chat. I hired a space with a fellow photographer friend and let her dance away. It was adorable.

Five and just happy to be here

And the summer she became a big sister. A classic – where we just jumped around in our bedsheets mid changing them. She also proclaimed that the best thing about being five is “being silly” and I absolutely loved that for her.

Time is a funny thing. And I’ve personally found the only way I can really appreciate it is by taking a moment to take photographs. The images live in my head, and more importantly, in my heart forever. And that’s why I always encourage people and my clients to do the same.

As I always always say, you’ll never regret it.

I hear you ask: “What does birthday number 6 have in store for our little tradition?” Stay tuned on instagram!