Celebrating a First Birthday with a Doljabi Ceremony


There’s something incredibly special about being invited to photograph a baby’s first birthday — and this session was even more meaningful because the family chose to celebrate with a traditional Korean doljabi ceremony.

A doljabi is a cultural ritual that takes place during a child’s first birthday celebration. During the ceremony, the baby is presented with several symbolic objects placed in front of them. The item they choose is believed to predict their future — whether it’s wealth, wisdom, success, or creativity. It’s a joyful moment filled with laughter, anticipation, and so much love from the family gathered around.


This sweet birthday boy was surrounded by his parents and his grandmother, who was visiting from Korea for the celebration. After documenting the doljabi ceremony, we added family portraits so they could preserve this moment in time together. These portraits became even more meaningful knowing grandma would be bringing professional photos home with her — a lasting keepsake of her grandson’s first birthday and their time together.


I love sessions like this because they capture more than milestones. They preserve culture, tradition, and generational connection. Years from now, this family will be able to look back not only on a beautiful first birthday, but on the story of where they come from and the people who were there to celebrate it.

 

Blue and white decorations adorn a festive party setting with tassels and balloons.
A happy family shares tender moments together in a series of outdoor portrait photos against a green background.
A young child in traditional Korean hanbok clothing plays with decorative paper fans and flowers in a studio setting.
A person wearing a light blue sweatsuit performs various dance moves in a sequence of connected photos.
Family sitting together on stone steps outdoors during a portrait session.
A joyful moment captured showing genuine laughter and smiles while wearing cozy sweaters in warm earth tones.
Family sitting on outdoor steps sharing joyful moments together during a casual photo session.
A joyful moment captured in black and white as a child in an orange sweater laughs while being held.
A couple shares a joyful moment together outdoors while wearing casual attire.
A tender moment between parent and child wearing an orange knit sweater in an outdoor setting.
A parent shares a tender moment with their child in a lush green garden setting.
Sweet family interaction series photographed outdoors with natural lighting and autumn tones.
Joyful family moment captured in a series of candid outdoor photos with green foliage background.
A joyful moment captured outdoors as a baby in an orange sweater is lifted up in the air during playtime.
A heartwarming playtime moment in a garden setting with a baby wearing an orange sweater.
A family wearing coordinated gray and beige outfits poses together playfully outdoors in a series of candid shots.