If you’re searching for the best 1st birthday photos with grandparents, Nantucket is hard to beat. There’s something about the warm evening light, sandy beaches, historic homes, and ocean breeze that makes family photos elevated and immediately nostalgic. 

This sweet family session was especially meaningful because it celebrated a little boy’s first birthday!! And they brought grandparents along for the fun. 

We actually felt really lucky to have such beautiful, calm weather this evening because Hurricane Erin had just brought plenty of wind to the island in the days leading up to their session. We appreciated the gentle breeze during golden hour that much more! 

Choose a Location That Feels Like Quintessential Nantucket

For this family, we started along the beach and made our way toward the lighthouse. The combination of soft sand, and calm water next to the weathered wooden walkways, gave the gallery that quintessential Nantucket feeling. Not to mention the iconic distant lighthouse! 

A location like this also gives us plenty of variety without making the session feel rushed. We can capture everyone together, break into smaller family groupings, and let the little ones explore along the way.

What to Wear For 1st Birthday Photos With Grandparents

I loved the way this family dressed for their session. The navy, cream, light blue, and soft neutral tones was elevated and nautical, without looking overly themed. 

The little guy’s knit sweaters and tiny leather shoes were especially sweet, while the adults leaned into classic Nantucket-inspired pieces like:

• Navy and cream color palette
• Cable-knit sweaters
• Soft linen and cotton
• Neutral trousers and shorts
• Simple, timeless accessories

A big key to remember when designing your family outfits, is to wear textures! Texture can matter just as much as color. It gives a depth and reality to every photograph. 

This family also brought two outfits, with an easy change of clothes that gave the final gallery a little more variety without turning the evening into a whole production.

I highly recommend a change of clothes if you want to incorporate more than one style into your photos. 

Let the Session Be Relaxed

When you’re photographing a (newly) one-year-old, perfection is not really the goal. Connection is.

There were plenty of moments where the little one was being held, cuddled, carried, and loved on by his parents and grandparents. We captured the posed portraits, but we also made room for the in-between moments. The little smiles. The curious looks. Walking hand-in-hand toward the lighthouse. Playing in the sand! 

That is what makes these photos feel like your family.

1st Birthday Photos With Grandparents Are About More Than a Milestone

A first birthday is a big deal, but having grandparents there makes it even more special. These are the photographs that will let your child see just how loved they were at one-year-old. The pictures that will hang on grandma’s wall while your child grows up! 

And if you’re planning a Nantucket vacation and want to document your family while you’re here, an easygoing evening session is the perfect way to do it. 

We’ll find beautiful light, explore the island, and create photographs that feel like a part of your vacation rather than another thing on your vacation checklist.

Because the best 1st birthday photos with grandparents are the ones that bring you right back to this season of life over and over again. I’ve never seen a parent regret booking them. 

If you’re interested in scheduling a session with me, click here to inquire! I’d love to hear from you.