Part 1: Jace's One-Year Birthday Session on the Farm



It’s always such a joy to capture memories as little ones grow, and returning to photograph Jace for his one-year birthday session was extra special. I first met Jace and his family when he was just six months old, and seeing how much he’s grown since then was a heartwarming reminder of why I love what I do.


For Jace’s one-year session, we chose a location close to his family’s heart—their own farm. The plan was to add a splash of festivity with some bright balloons, bringing a playful touch to the backdrop. But as anyone who’s worked outdoors knows, nature sometimes decides to join in on the fun! This time, it was the wind that had other ideas, sending the balloons on a bit of a wild ride.


Despite the wind’s unplanned entrance, the session turned out beautifully. We embraced the little moments—capturing the charm of the farm, Jace’s curious expressions, and the joy of just being in the moment. With each click of the camera, we caught glimpses of his personality, from his bright smiles to the occasional look of wonder.

A toddler in plaid shirt and jeans stands excitedly near hay bales and farm decor at a rustic outdoor setting.
Rustic fall party setup with orange and white polka dot balloons, hay bale, and confetti scattered on grass.
A toddler in plaid and denim stands by a ladder and hay bales with a vintage tractor in the background.
Fall themed baby photo with hay bales, orange balloons, and rustic country decor in an outdoor setting.
A small child in plaid and denim stands next to a decorative ladder and hay bale with orange balloons in a farmhouse setting.
A small child sits on a wooden rocker surrounded by balloons and cow print backdrop in a rustic barn setting.
Small child in plaid shirt and jeans stands by vintage tractor with orange balloons and hay bales on farm.

Part 2: Jace’s BBQ Smash—A Unique Twist on the Traditional Cake Smash


One-year birthdays are all about celebrating what makes each little one unique, and Jace’s session had an unforgettable twist: a BBQ smash! Instead of the usual cake smash, his family put a fun, southern spin on the tradition with a plate of BBQ. It was such a perfect way to incorporate something special to his family and the farm setting.


At first, Jace seemed a bit unsure about the plate in front of him—after all, it’s not every day you’re encouraged to dig into BBQ with your hands! But once he got going, it was all smiles and saucy fingers. His expressions went from curious to downright delighted as he tasted each bite. It was a fun, unique moment that truly captured Jace’s personality and his family’s love for good food and a good time.

Fall harvest scene with someone trying pie at a rustic outdoor table surrounded by pumpkins and mums.
A messy autumn cake smashing scene with pumpkins and scattered crumbs on a wooden table outdoors.
First birthday fall photo featuring a rustic wooden table, pumpkin, mums, and farmhouse decor with cow decorations.
Young child sits at outdoor table with pumpkin pie and fall decorations during harvest season.
Autumn festive scene with pumpkins, hay bales, and a small child sitting on a blanket with snacks.
A small child enjoys smeared cake and cupcakes at an outdoor fall setting with pumpkins and yellow mums.
Small child sitting on grass with pumpkins and yellow mums in background during autumn photo session.
A fall harvest scene with large pumpkins and a divided plate of snacks on a cow print blanket outdoors.
A child tastes frosting from a cupcake while sitting at a picnic table decorated with fall pumpkins and mums.

Part 3: Candid Moments—Capturing the Little Details of Jace’s First Birthday


Sometimes, the best moments happen when no one is looking for perfection—just pure, unscripted fun. In Jace’s one-year session, those candid moments brought his story to life and captured the sweet personality that’s growing with him.


One of the highlights of the day was the sibling bond we got to capture. Jace’s big brother was eager to get in on the action, so we made sure to include him in a few shots too. Watching the two of them together—laughing, playing, and sharing those unplanned sibling moments—made the photos even more memorable. Alongside his big sister, who could always bring out his biggest smiles, Jace was surrounded by so much love from his family.


These candid shots reflect the heart of the session—the love and joy of being with family, the curiosity of a little one exploring his world, and all those real, in-between moments. Watching Jace grow from six months to one year has been a true joy, and I can’t wait to see where his story goes next.

A small child in plaid shirt and jeans stands by a rustic backdrop with hay bales and vintage farm decor.
Decorated outdoor party setup with cow print balloons, orange balloons, and hay bales against a rustic wooden fence.
Autumn scene with pumpkin, mums and hay bale arranged with two young figures sitting on blanket outdoors.
A young child in a plaid shirt and jeans stands smiling by hay bales and pumpkins with a tractor visible in the background.
Happy baby in white shirt clapping hands and smiling with joyful expression.
A small child sits on a wooden stool with balloons beside them at a rustic outdoor setting with a cow print blanket.
Small child in plaid shirt and jeans holds up large red balloon while sitting on blanket near hay bale outdoors.
Green vintage tractor parked next to colorful fall mums and a pumpkin on farm setting.
A baby in a floppy beige sun hat and light blue shirt with red bowtie smiles while being held outdoors.
Baby in plaid shirt sits on wooden rocking horse with orange and pink balloons against rustic backdrop and hay bale.

Hey there! I'm Krystie, a passionate and dedicated photographer based in Smithfield, North Carolina. With a knack for capturing life's most precious moments, I specialize in family, children, pet, maternity, and portrait photography. My goal is to create a comfortable and enjoyable experience for my clients, resulting in stunning, authentic photos you'll cherish forever.


I take pride in my patience and ability to make everyone feel comfortable, from our first meeting until long after the session ends. Whether I'm entertaining a lively one-year-old or capturing precious moments with your family, I approach every session with a calm and friendly demeanor.


Communication is key to a successful photo shoot, and I make sure my clients know what to expect every step of the way. My quick turnaround times and attention to detail ensure you receive beautiful, high-quality images promptly. I love seeing the joy and happiness on my clients' faces when they see their photos for the first time.


When I'm not behind the camera, I enjoy exploring new places with my family. This sense of adventure and love for life's little moments inspires my photography, allowing me to see the beauty in every situation.


Get to know  more about me  or  send me an inquiry. Let's create some amazing memories together

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