First birthday photos with 16-month-old Robin

“Can we take you home with us?” grandad Alan asks little Robin at her first birthday shoot.

“We’ll take you to the playground every single day!” he promises.

She stares back with wide blue eyes as though considering the move.

“No way,” laughs Robin’s dad, Brian, “we’re going to check your bags and do a head count when we see you off tomorrow.”

Alan and his wife Mary have come over from Dublin for the weekend to catch up with Brian, Rhona and little Robin, who is 16 month’s old. I last saw Robin at her newborn shoot and it’s such a delight (and a shock!) to see how much she’s grown.

Robin is enjoying the speed and freedom that learning to walk has brought her, and Brian tells me she’s learning to climb now, too, which means she’s keeping him and Rhona on their toes!

Rhona and Brian are both bona fide book worms, and are delighted that Robin seems to be following in their footsteps. She’s very happy to sit and flick through her books, and particularly enjoys Bob the Artist at the moment.

Rhona can’t wait until she starts reading Roald Dahl while Brian is looking forward to introducing her to Terry Pratchett.

Grandad Alan, meanwhile, is already planning her first pint at a proper Irish pub!

With two grandchildren in Sweden and one in Oxfordshire, Alan and Mary don’t get to see the youngsters in the family as often as they’d like.

“I wish I could see you everyday,” Alan says to Robin, giving her a kiss and a hug, “I love you so much!”

I can tell it’s going to be a sad farewell tomorrow. But with meet-ups planned for Christmas, and a family wedding over New Year, these guys have lots more cuddles and kisses to look forward to over the festive period.

And until then, these photos will remind them of a fun Saturday morning spent playing games, being silly and capturing precious memories and milestones.

If you’d like to book your child’s first birthday photoshoot, or if you have any questions about family photography with me, please get in contact.

Sarah Plater LMPA is an award-winning, qualified, professional family portrait photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire. She is the Master Photographers Association Newborn Photographer of the Year 2019 for the Central Region (covering Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire).