Sunshine, Smiles, and Smash Cake Fun: A Family Session at the Howard County Conservancy

The Howard County Conservancy never disappoints when it comes to stunning backdrops for family portraits. Last month, I had the pleasure of capturing a beautiful session for the Smith family, celebrating their little one turning one!

We started the afternoon with some classic family photos. The golden hour light cast a warm glow on the rolling hills and meadows, creating a picture-perfect scene. The oldest, full of energy, chased butterflies and explored the charming historic buildings scattered around the Conservancy. These candid moments of laughter and exploration are some of my favorites – they truly capture the essence of family life

As the sun dipped lower, we transitioned to the star of the show: the birthday boy! We set up a little cake smash scene, complete with a neutral white cake, perfectly complimenting the greenery behind it. The one-year-old, at first a little hesitant, eventually warmed up to the idea of digging into the delicious mess. The pure joy on his face as he smeared cake everywhere was truly infectious, and we got some priceless photos of the happy destruction.

The Howard County Conservancy provided the ideal setting for this family session. The diverse landscapes offered a beautiful backdrop for every stage of the shoot, from the posed family portraits to the playful cake smash, perfect for family photography just outside of Columbia, Md.

Looking back at the photos, I can't help but smile. It was a session filled with sunshine, genuine smiles, and a whole lot of cake. Congratulations to the Smith family on their little one's first birthday!