![Family of three during First Birthday Milestone Portraits in Columbia SC](https://nicolewatfordphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/SC-Family-Photographer-Nicole-Watford-Photography_0157.jpg)
I love seeing past clients! There’s nothing better than knowing my clients trust me to capture their memories over and over during each new season of life! I met Paige and Brian’s beautiful family in 2019 when I photographed their daughter’s newborn session (when I was pregnant with our daughter!). Paige wanted to capture some updated family photos as well as just some portraits of their daughter to mark this milestone, and I loved meeting up with them at the South Carolina State House in downtown Columbia for their session!
First Birthday Portraits at the South Carolina State House
When Paige and I were planning their session, she wanted somewhere outdoors with a more neutral backdrop. The State House is such a great location—not only are there lots of different types of backgrounds all in one place, but the grounds are well-kept and there is lots of space for little ones to roam and explore safely! The birthday girl kept steering us toward the grassy areas under the beautiful live oak trees, so we followed her lead and gave her space to explore. It was so fun to capture her curiosity and wonder as she studied leaves, plucked blades of grass, and even found a few magnolia seed pods! I also loved that she didn’t mind a little dirt on her hands or grass between her toes. 😉
It’s sometimes hard to get little ones to pause long enough to get portraits once they get mobile, but I’ve always got a few tricks up my sleeve. Paige’s goal for the session was for us to capture some sweet family pictures and some portraits of their daughter for her birthday. As soon as Brian started blowing the bubbles I brought, this sweet birthday girl absolutely lit up! Her enchantment with the bubbles gave me a chance to snap some of the most beautiful portraits—and her delight and excitement over such a simple thing brought a smile to the faces of many of the early morning walkers enjoying the State House grounds!
Paige and Brian—I can’t believe it’s been one year with your sweet girl already! I hope these portraits bring you joy for years to come. Thank you so much for inviting me to capture another season of life for your beautiful family! I’ve loved watching your sweet girl grow up on the ‘gram and seeing her little personality develop, and I can’t wait to see what this next year brings!
![mom and dad kiss baby girl on the cheek during family portraits at the SC State house](https://nicolewatfordphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/SC-Family-Photographer-Nicole-Watford-Photography_0158.jpg)
![dad holds daughter in pink](https://nicolewatfordphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/SC-Family-Photographer-Nicole-Watford-Photography_0159.jpg)
![little girl watches the world around her with wonder](https://nicolewatfordphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/SC-Family-Photographer-Nicole-Watford-Photography_0160.jpg)
![Parents hold their one-year old girl during family portraits in Columbia SC](https://nicolewatfordphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/SC-Family-Photographer-Nicole-Watford-Photography_0161.jpg)
![little girls walks around the grounds of the SC state house](https://nicolewatfordphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/SC-Family-Photographer-Nicole-Watford-Photography_0162.jpg)
![one year old sits in grass during first year milestone portraits](https://nicolewatfordphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/SC-Family-Photographer-Nicole-Watford-Photography_0163.jpg)
![mommy and daughter portrait at the SC State House](https://nicolewatfordphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/SC-Family-Photographer-Nicole-Watford-Photography_0164.jpg)
![birthday girl plucking grass during milestone portraits](https://nicolewatfordphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/SC-Family-Photographer-Nicole-Watford-Photography_0165.jpg)
![sweet one year old girl and family during First Year milestone portraits in SC](https://nicolewatfordphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/SC-Family-Photographer-Nicole-Watford-Photography_0166.jpg)
![Mom and dad hold their one-year old girl during family portraits in Columbia SC](https://nicolewatfordphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/SC-Family-Photographer-Nicole-Watford-Photography_0167.jpg)
![beautiful little one year old girl during first year milestone portraits](https://nicolewatfordphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/SC-Family-Photographer-Nicole-Watford-Photography_0168.jpg)
![one year old girl standing in grass during first year milestone portraits](https://nicolewatfordphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/SC-Family-Photographer-Nicole-Watford-Photography_0169.jpg)
Are you planning a Columbia, SC family photo session of your own? Reach out and say hello HERE, and we’ll chat about everything you want to remember about this season of life!