First birthday cake smash with Arlo

Oliver and Tyisha were introduced by a mutual friend in a Bicester pub back in 2015. They never expected to be raising a family together in their new Brackley home six years later.

They simply spent time together, chatted over social media and eventually met each other’s families. When Oliver saw how his nieces and nephews were instantly drawn to Tyisha, he couldn’t wait to start his own family with her.

Now Arlo is about to celebrate his first birthday, and in November he will be promoted to big brother, another huge milestone!

The family have a puggle – a pug/beagle mix – called Otis. Otis and Arlo spend as much of the day together, and can often be found curled up together in a cuddle.

Fenton, the family’s 50lb German Shepherd, is a little too big for cuddles. Nevertheless, when Arlo is having a nap, Fenton can often be seen standing guard nearby, often for hours on end.

Talking of being looked after, the whole family have made time for Arlo, with a different relative looking after him each day during the week while mum and dad are at work.

Arlo particularly enjoys Fridays when his aunt takes him to the playground – he could happily stay on the swings all day long!

Arlo also loves playing with his buddy, Oakley. Tyisha and Oliver met Oakley’s parents when they went on midwife Lily’s Bicester antenatal class. The two boys were born just five days apart, so they’ve got loads in common – including both having a sibling on the way!

Arlo also loves watching ‘Little Baby Bum’, a nursery rhyme show. The Wheels on the Bus and Row, Row, Row Your Boat are his two current favourites, as well as the show’s theme tune.

Oliver’s favourite moment so far has been when Arlo said ‘dada’ for the first time. Arlo was with other members of the family, and was perhaps wondering what his dad was up to when he said it. Since then, from when he got home – and during our photoshoot – there’s been a constant stream of ‘dada’, which Oliver tells me is so, so lovely to hear.

Tyisha has particularly enjoyed the recent months as Arlo has ticked through his milestones: first words, first steps and the huge increase in interaction that happens at this age. She’s always wanted to be a mum, and it’s clear how well both she and Oliver have taken to their new roles.

Now they’re veteran parents, with number two on the way, due in November, and can’t wait to become a family of four 🙂

After our photoshoot Tyisha said:

“We had such a wonderful experience with Sarah and she was very patient with us, this was our first family photo shoot my little boy had missed a morning nap so was a bit grouchy. Sarah was so great and told us that if we needed to take a break and let him nap then it would be absolutely fine and didn’t rush us throughout the whole shoot. My partner was so nervous about having his picture taken but Sarah made us feel so comfortable we completely forgot that she was taking our picture, it all felt so natural. We will definitely be going back for future family shoots and we can’t wait to receive our photos!!”

Tyisha, First Birthday Photoshoot client from Brackley, Northamptonshire

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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).