Idrees Turns One | Cake Smash Photography Dubai

I love shooting first birthdays. Babies start to show so much of their budding personalities and some begin to acquire more independence, resulting in so many funny moments! They move about and add so much dimension to a shoot, and you can just play, play play.

Idrees turned one this past December, and we had so much fun together. The session was very colorful and full of energy and laughs. I always tell my clients, you don't need much to have a great session, you don't even have to make sure every piece of furniture in your home is exactly where it needs to be. All you need to do is focus on your family, focus on the fun you want to have together, and allow the moments to unfold naturally.

Here's a look at Idrees' first birthday shoot. Happy birthday little man. May you continue to shine and fill your parents' and family's lives with so much love and sunshine.

Cake Smash Dubai Baby poses with birthday cake and balloons

Dubai Cake Smash one year old baby poses with parents and birthday cake

mother and father embrace their one year old baby boy

mother and father sit with their one year old baby boy next to the window and play with his toy truck

mother and baby crawl around the living room

baby and his auntie sit next to the window and play with his yellow toy truck

mother tickling baby as they sit together next to the window

mother and baby boy cuddle next to the window in beautiful morning light

mother and father embrace next to the window in beautiful morning light as baby boy looks outside into the garden

baby boy holds a birthday card and sits on the grass outside his home

baby boy posing happily with his one year birthday cake outside his home in the garden

mother sits by window sill in beautiful morning light and plays with wooden train that spells her baby's name

Birth Photography, Babies and NewbornsLana Abu-ShaheenFebruary 4, 2017cake smash, first birthday, baby boy, dubai, dubai family, happy times, milestones

The Birth of Arlo | Dubai Birth Photographer

Time after time I sit at my laptop, after the end of every session, to gather my thoughts and write up a little blog post honoring the experience I just shared with new friends. I always know exactly what I want to say. Today, things are a little different. Not in a bad way.

Not at all.

As I sat down to write little Arlo's birth story, I truly couldn't come up with the right words to describe the pure joy I witnessed documenting the events that lead up to his arrival. What can I say to this little boy about how his brave mom labored marvelously for 12 hours before he showed up? How she fought with every fiber of her being to bring him earth-side. How his father never left his mom's side throughout the entire day. How when he (Arlo) was finally welcomed into the room, emotions were so high strung that there were tears in MY eyes.

Nothing I can SAY can truly capture the emotion of the day, and that is why birth photography is so incredibly special. Sometimes you can't TELL people that something is special, you have to SHOW them.

Jen and Rob, congratulations on the birth of your beautiful baby boy, Arlo! It was an honor being your birth and newborn photographer here in Dubai, and I cannot wait to see you all again.

A very special thank you to Dr. George Michailidis and to all the nurses and midwives at Mediclinic City Hospital. It was lovely working with you all again!