CHARLOTTE, NC Milestone and Cake Smash PHOTOGRAPhy
Capturing all the ages and stages for timeless moments you can treasure forever!
From those first moments of learning to clap to the pure joy of a birthday photoshoot, every milestone moment is a celebration of growth and discovery. Whether it’s the excitement of turning one, the fun of smashing a cake, or the big transitions of the tween years, each stage tells a unique story. Charlotte milestone photography captures these fleeting moments, allowing you to hold onto the memories that shape who they are becoming. Every milestone, no matter how big or small, is a beautiful reminder of how far they’ve come and a glimpse of the incredible future ahead.
McPherson - Supreme Smash
Williams - Milestone
Richardson - Simple Smash
Featured Birthday Magic & Milestone Memories
Browse the galleries showcasing the sweet ages and stages of little ones' milestone & Cake Smash moments below.
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As a Charlotte milestone photographer, I love capturing the magic of every stage—like this sweet baby reaching his seven-month milestone. Dressed in dusty blue to match his striking eyes, he was all smiles and curiosity, mastering his sitting skills and reaching out with excitement as he explored his growing world.
Milestone photography is all about preserving these in-between moments—no longer a newborn, but not yet a toddler. From joyful giggles to early attempts at crawling, every tiny movement is filled with wonder, making this stage one to cherish forever.
Williams - Milestone Session - 7 month Sitter
Williams
Milestone Session
7 month sitter
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This little one’s first birthday was celebrated with a sweet and simple cake smash session, capturing the joy of this special milestone. For this Charlotte milestone photography session, we began with classic portraits, highlighting his bright eyes, tiny fingers, and playful spirit against a blue backdrop. The minimal setup kept the focus on him, preserving this fleeting stage in its purest form.
Then came the grand finale—his smash cake! Dressed in his adorable romper, he eagerly dug in, giggling as he made the sweetest mess. His parents also added the Big Balloon for an extra fun touch, making for even more playful moments. Every detail of this session came together beautifully, creating timeless images to celebrate his very first birthday.
Richardson - Simple Smash MIlestone Session
Richardson
Simple Smash
session
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For this sweet girl’s first birthday, her family chose the Supreme Smash for a truly memorable Charlotte cake smash session. We started with family portraits in the Waxhaw studio, capturing love and excitement as they celebrated this special milestone together. The spotlight then shifted to their little girl, dressed in a darling green outfit, as we documented her bright-eyed expressions and playful personality.
The second setup was a magical Sesame Street-inspired wonderland, featuring pops of color and details celebrating her love for Elmo and Abby. Her excitement shone through as she explored the space, followed by the grand finale—a fun and messy cake smash! Dressed in overalls, she dove into the cake with laughter and joy, creating timeless birthday photography moments to remember.
McPhearson - Supreme smash MIlestone Session
McPhearson
Supreme Smash
session
The Milestone Session Experience
Your little one’s milestones and birthdays are moments worth celebrating—whether it’s a first birthday cake smash, a big kid’s special year, or any age in between! These sessions are all about fun, personality, and capturing the joy of childhood in a way that feels authentic and special to your family.
When you book with me, you’re not just getting photos—you’re getting a fully customized experience designed to make your session easy and stress-free. From selecting the perfect backdrop and theme to styling the session with adorable outfits and props, I’ll guide you every step of the way. Whether you want a classic, timeless look or a fun, colorful setup, we’ll create something that reflects your child’s personality and brings their milestone to life.
No matter the age, every session is about celebrating your little (or big!) one in a way that feels natural and joyful. With a relaxed atmosphere and expert guidance, I’ll ensure we capture genuine smiles, laughter, and those little expressions you never want to forget. Let’s create memories you’ll cherish forever!
scroll down and lets begin designing your session
Decide which milestone session that fits best!
A cake smash is perfect for a fun, messy first birthday, while milestone sessions are great for capturing all the sweet ages and stages—from sitting up to big kid birthdays.
Need help choosing? I’ll guide you to the best fit for your little one’s big moment!
Step 1: Choose Your Perfect Session
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Book. Plan. Celebrate!
Secure your session by booking early—especially if you want a customized cake or themed setup.
I recommend scheduling at least 4-6 weeks in advance to allow time for planning and personalization. For cake smash and one-year-old sessions, I suggest booking around the 11th month, before the ‘stranger danger’ stage kicks in!
Step 2: Lock in Your Date
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We’ll work together to style your session!
From choosing outfits and colors to designing a cake smash theme or backdrop, I’ll help create a setup that brings your vision to life while ensuring a cohesive and adorable gallery. For all non-cake smash sessions, I have a small client closet available for you to use, offering a selection of outfits that are perfect for capturing those precious milestones. Whether you’re looking for something simple or more elaborate, I’m here to make sure you’re styled and ready for the big day!
You’ll also receive a full planning guide that walks you through the styling process, along with a consultation and planning questionnaire to make sure every detail aligns with your vision.
Step 3: Plan the Perfect Setup
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Within 3-5 business days of your session, you’ll receive an emailed Proof Gallery of lightly edited images, allowing you to select your favorites before I complete the final professional edits.
Your fully edited Final Gallery will be ready within 7-10 business days, bringing your baby’s first moments to life in a timeless way.
If you’ve ordered prints, albums, or custom artwork, these will be delivered within 30 days, ensuring you have beautiful keepsakes to cherish for a lifetime.
Step 5: Relive the Magic
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Celebrate Life’s Sweetest Moments in Greater Charlotte!
The Milestone & Cake Smash Collections
From the precious early months of capturing a baby’s journey to the joyful, messy fun of cake smash sessions — and every milestone as they grow — each of our Charlotte Milestone Photography Collections are thoughtfully designed to celebrate each age and stage as your little one grows up!
The Package
Book your Milestone session!
Collection Includes:
✔️ One classic setup thoughtfully coordinated with your little one's outfit
✔️ All props provided, including benches, chairs, letters, numbers, and more
✔️ Your choice of 10 advanced-edited digital images
✔️ A professional style & planning guide
✔️ Access to client closet for sizes 3-18 months
✔️ Child-only session (add on available for family or mommy & me mini)
Starts at $245
Perfect for celebrating all ages & stages!
Milestone Session
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The Package
Book your Milestone session!
Session Includes:
✔️ One classic setup thoughtfully coordinated with your little one's outfit
✔️ All props provided, including benches, chairs, letters, numbers, and more
✔️ Your choice of 10 advanced-edited digital images
✔️ A professional style & planning guide to help you prepare and make your images truly shine
✔️ Online digital gallery with a print release
✔️ Child-only session (with the option to add on a family or mommy & me mini session)
Starts at $245
Perfect for celebrating all ages & stages!
Milestone
Simple Smash
✔️ Two unique setups to capture every special moment:
- Milestone Setup: Sweet, classic images of your little one (plus a small set of family images if desired).
- Baby Only Themed Cake Smash Setup: A fully customized set to match your vision—perfect for an outfit change!
✔️ 10 beautifully edited milestone images with accompanying 4x5 hard copy prints.
AND
✔️ 15+ photographer-selected cake smash images, capturing both the pre-smash and smashing fun!
✔️ Professional style & planning guide to help bring your vision to life.
✔️ Access to the client closet (sizes 3–18 months) for the milestone portion.
✔️ Second outfit change for the themed cake smash.
✔️ Online digital gallery & print release for easy access and sharing.
Important Details:
🔹 Session is supremely customized to match your baby’s unique personality and theme.
🔹 Parents must provide the cake due to allergy concerns.
Investment: $545
Supreme Smash
most commonly booked
What’s Included:
✔️ Custom seamless paper setup in a color that perfectly complements your little one’s outfit.
✔️ A well-balanced session that captures sweet milestone moments with number and letter props—followed by the exciting cake smash fun!
✔️ All props provided (benches, chairs, letters, numbers, and more).
✔️ 15 beautifully edited digital images to cherish forever.
✔️ Professional style & planning guide to help coordinate every detail for picture-perfect results.
✔️ Online digital gallery & print release for easy access and sharing.
Important Details:
🔹 Session is for your little one only (no parent or sibling images).
🔹 Parents must provide the cake due to allergy concerns.
Investment: $375
Let's book your supreme smash session!
Secure Your Simple Smash Session Date!
Packages
Celebrate Your Little One’s big birthday with a charlotte Cake Smash Session!
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Cake Smash Session
The
Simple Smash
✔️ Two unique setups:
- Milestone Setup: Sweet, classic images of your little one (plus - small set of baby-centered family images if desired) and use of outfit from client closet
- Baby Only Themed Cake Smash Setup: A fully customized set to match your vision—perfect for an outfit change!
✔️ 10 beautifully edited digital milestone images with accompanying 4x5 hard copy prints.
AND
✔️ 15+ photographer-selected cake smash images, capturing both the pre-smash set and tons of cake smashing fun!
✔️ Professional style & planning guide to help bring your vision to life.
Important Details:
🔹 Session is supremely customized to match your baby’s unique personality and theme.
🔹 Parents must provide the cake due to allergy concerns.
Investment: $545
Supreme Smash
most commonly booked
Collection Includes:
✔️ Custom seamless paper setup in a color that perfectly complements your little one’s outfit.
✔️ A well-balanced session that captures sweet milestone moments with number and letter props—followed by the exciting cake smash fun!
✔️ All props provided (benches, chairs, letters, numbers, and more).
✔️ 15 beautifully edited digital images to cherish forever.
✔️ Professional style & planning guide to help coordinate every detail for picture-perfect results.
Important Details:
🔹 Session is for your little one only (no parent or sibling images).
🔹 Parents must provide the cake due to allergy concerns.
Investment: $375
The Packages
Celebrate Your Little One’s big birthday with a charlotte Cake Smash Session!
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Cake Smash Session
Milestone Session Package Enhancements
Personalize your Charlotte, NC milestone session with these special add-ons—select them during booking to make your experience even more memorable!
THe big number two
The prop is filled with your choice of up to 3 balloon colors - customized to coordinate with your child's outfit!
Add-On Family or
mommy & me
- Available for milestone sessions only
- Includes shooting time if needed & 3 additional final gallery digital images
The BIg balloon
The balloon is white and coordinates best with a colored background.
Milestone Session Package Enhancements
Customize your Charlotte, NC Milestone session with these enhancements—
add them during booking for an elevated experience!
THe big number two
The prop is filled with your choice of up to 3 balloon colors - customized to coordinate with your child's outfit!
Family or
mommy & me
mini
- Available for milestone sessions only
- Includes shooting time if needed & 3 additional final gallery digital images
The BIg balloon
The balloon is white and coordinates best with a colored background.
“Tobi was amazing while photographing my 8 month old son during his “sitter” session. She made him feel comfortable and safe, while also using her creativity and skills to make him smile for the camera. It’s clear she has a deep understanding of how to photograph children and families. I’m so glad we found her and I look forward to working with her again in the future!”
K. Williams
“Tobi was absolutely fantastic!! We booked a supreme smash photo shoot and we couldn’t have asked for a better photographer. Tobi took the time to make a backdrop that fit the theme of our daughter’s first birthday (girls just wanna be one). She HANDMADE a giant pink bow that fit perfectly for the theme we were going for and made sure every detail of the backdrop was perfect. During the photo shoot she was professional while also keeping the attention of our little one (which is hard to do because she just wants to be on the go)... I highly recommend Tobi for capturing those picture perfect milestones.”
L. Collins
“Tobi is a pro! She kept our baby entertained, changed sets/ props up smoothly, and captured beautiful moments. I will cherish these photos forever. Highly recommend!”
Heather I.
“My daughter had her one year old milestone photos with Tobi. Tobi helped us inside and immediately began explaining her tips and tricks to a successful session. She was very clear with what works to keep my baby feeling comfortable and giving directions for me which I found extremely helpful. Tobi was very fun and entertaining for my baby which kept my almost one year olds attention and spirits up and smiling for her pictures! My baby wasn’t a fan of the cake smash but Tobi didn’t sweat it and was patient as she captured those moments as well. I completely recommend using Tobi to capture your family’s big moments!
K. Palmer
cherished moments: parent reflections on milestone sessions
questions and answers
Can I see your studio
How long do the sessions last?
What should we bring to the session?
Can family take part in the session?
What are the best ages/stages for taking Milestone photos?
Do you bundle your Milestone packages?
How far in advance should I book my session?
What is provided during the milestone session?
What are the best ages/stages for taking Milestone photos?
The simple answer is:
3 months - aka the best age and stage for tummy time and big smiles
7 months - the “sitter age” and age of sitting up, laughing, and clapping
The Big ONE Year - the final milestone of that first year.
Many parents book yearly to document all the fun ages and stages. Especially the biggest ones like- turning 5 (aka a whole hand), 10 (aka two whole hands and the beginning joys of tween life), 13 (those teen moments), and that big Milestone of graduating 8th grade and moving into those high school years!!
How far in advance should I book my session?
All sessions should be booked one-two months in advance to account for time to select your final gallery images and editing. For the more specialized cake smash sessions I remind parents that a minimum of 30+ days is required so we can plan the perfect sets. For other milestone sessions I would try to book at a minimum 3 weeks for best results.
Do you bundle your Milestone packages?
For families that want to book multiple milestone packages and document more of those amazing moments while their little one grows, I am happy to bundle a package together at a discounted rate to ensure you have memories of all the ages and stages!
I frequently recommend bundling the 7 month sitter session with a one year old session after your newborn session!
What is provided during the milestone session?
Each session is set up a little differently. Depending on the session you book, I customize the set to include props such as chairs, benches, baskets, etc and all the fun little letters and numbers you see in my portfolio. I love being able to take one more item off mamas plate so I also provide access to my growing client closet for those little sitter sessions, 3 month milestones, and even the ONE year milestones (not available for cake smash and simple smash).
How long do the sessions last?
Kids - especially super littles - have a very short attention span which is great for sessions. We move really fast, keeping the session flowing and the smiles coming. Most kids sessions are completed within 30-45 minutes but the supreme smash might take a little longer if we are including a few family photos as part of the session.
Can family take part in the session?
The supreme smash is the only session that includes a handful of family images as part of the Milestone portion of the session; however, you are welcome to add on a mommy-and-me or Family mini to your milestone session for an additional charge (family add-ons are not available for the simple smash session)
What should we bring to the session?
- Any special lovie your little one has always had - we won’t use it at the beginning of the session but it’s great to put in during the last few images for a special touch.
- Any outfit(s) you wanted to use if not using my client wardrobe.
- I ask that you bring a bottle or cup of water for your little one - they get thirsty sometimes and need a little swig
- For smash sessions you will get a customized list of items to bring but definitely the cake - for allergy reasons that must be provided by parents.
- Your diaper bag with supplies
- If your little one is teething a great bib is key to keep that outfit as spot free for as long as possible before and during the session and we can pop it on them during quick changes in the set up too
can i see your studio
https://tobistimelesstreasures.com/why-i-love-my-waxhaw-photography-studio/
