Ravenswood Mansion Family Session: Celebrating Baby’s First Year

There is something really special about a family that keeps coming back to the same place for their biggest moments. Clayton and Rachel got married at Ravenswood Mansion. They came back for their maternity session when they were expecting Baby Evangeline. And now, over a year later, they brought their growing family back to the very same grounds to celebrate their daughter’s first birthday with a spring Ravenswood Mansion family session.

Oh, and their dog Apollo was there too. More on him in a minute, because he absolutely stole the show (just not in the way you might expect).

As a Nashville TN family photographer, I get to see families grow over time. I watch couples become parents. I watch babies grow into toddlers. And every time a family invites me back for another milestone, it reminds me why I love what I do. I love watching families grow!

Why Ravenswood Mansion Was the Perfect Spot (For the Third Time)

When Clayton and Rachel first reached out about Baby Evangeline’s one-year session, they already knew exactly where they wanted to go. Ravenswood Mansion. It was not even a question.

This is the place where they got married. This is where they celebrated Rachel’s pregnancy during their maternity session. And now it is the place where they wanted to have one-year milestone photos of their sweet baby girl. Ravenswood Mansion is woven into their family story in the most meaningful way, and I think that is so beautiful.

When a location carries that much history for a family, you can feel it in the photos. There is a comfort and a familiarity that comes through. Clayton and Rachel were not trying to figure out a new location or worrying about whether it would “look good.” They already knew this place. They already loved it. And that made the whole session feel easy and relaxed from the very first frame, because this is THEIR place!

We used the long tree-lined driveway and the greenery area at the base of the mansion for this session. There was actually a wedding happening at Ravenswood that day (how fitting, right?), so we worked with these two areas. And honestly, they were all we needed. The spring greenery was lush, the trees along the driveway created the prettiest natural frame, and the light was doing exactly what I hoped it would do.

The Weather Was Actually Perfect (A Nashville Miracle in Spring)

If you have lived in Nashville for more than five minutes, you know that spring weather is unpredictable. One day, it is 70 degrees and gorgeous. The next day, it feels like you are walking through a bowl of hot soup. Humidity in Nashville is no joke, especially when you are trying to look cute for family photos.

But this session? The weather was absolute perfection. It was not humid. It was not too hot. The temperature was comfortable, there was a nice breeze, and everyone, including Evangeline and Apollo, was happy to be outside.

That kind of weather makes a bigger difference than people realize. When the weather cooperates, everyone is more relaxed. Kids are not fussy about the heat. Parents are not sweating through their outfits. And the dog is not panting and trying to find shade. It just makes the whole experience smoother, and that is exactly what happened with this family photography session at Ravenswood Mansion in the spring.

The Sweetest One-Year-Old Session

Okay, I have to gush about Baby Evangeline for a second. This girl was so sweet and darling for her session. Turning one is such a big deal, and even though she obviously did not know we were there to celebrate her, she was full of personality. She smiled, she explored, she reached for things (including Apollo, but we will get to that).

One-year-old sessions have a magic to them. Babies at this age are curious about everything. They are starting to move around more, they are expressive, and they have these little moments of wonder that make for the best photos. It also helps that, after their one-year session, babies are more expressive about cake because they have tasted it and know it is the best thing ever!

And can we talk about how fast the first year goes? It feels like just yesterday Clayton and Rachel were in front of my camera for their maternity session, and now here they are with a one-year-old who is full of personality and ready to take on the world. Time does not slow down, which is exactly why sessions like this matter so much.

Apollo the Dog (Who Is Still Not Over Being Replaced)

Let me tell you about Apollo, because this was genuinely one of my favorite moments from the entire session.

Apollo is Clayton and Rachel’s dog, and he was absolutely part of this family session. Because he is family. Period. I always love when clients include their pets, and I was so glad Apollo was there.

Here is the thing, though. Apollo is still adjusting to the fact that he is no longer the only baby in the house. And during the session, it became very, very clear.

When I tried to get Apollo and Baby E together for a photo, Apollo was not having it. He did not want to sit by her. He would not look at her. Evangeline, sweet as can be, reached her little hand out toward him, and Apollo basically said “no thank you” and scooted away.

It was hilarious. And honestly? It was so real. This is what life actually looks like when you have a dog and a baby who are still figuring each other out. Not every moment is a perfectly posed, everyone-looking-at-the-camera shot. Sometimes the dog is a little salty about the new baby, and everyone is laughing about it, and THOSE are the photos that families end up loving the most.

I know Apollo and Baby E will be best friends eventually. But for now, the “I am still the firstborn” energy was strong, and I am here for it.

Grandma Saved the Day

Here is a little behind-the-scenes detail I want to share because it is a really helpful tip for anyone planning a family session with a baby, a pet (or both).

Rachel’s mom came along to the session, and she was a total lifesaver. She helped get Baby E to smile. She kept Apollo wrangled when we needed him to cooperate. And most importantly, she gave Clayton and Rachel the freedom to just be present during their photos without stressing about all the logistics happening behind the scenes.

I always recommend that families bring an extra set of hands to their sessions, especially when little ones or pets are involved. A grandparent, an aunt, a trusted friend, whoever your person is. Having someone there who can hold the diaper bag, entertain the baby between setups, or keep the dog happy makes the whole experience so much more relaxed for everyone.

Rachel’s mom did all of that and more, and I am so grateful she was there. Shoutout to grandma for real.

Why Milestone Sessions Are Worth Booking

Baby E’s first year went by in a blink. They always do. And the fact that Clayton and Rachel chose to mark this milestone at the place where their family story began says everything about how much they value preserving these memories.

Milestone sessions are not just about getting cute photos, even though you will absolutely get those. They are about pausing in the middle of a busy, full life and saying, “This season matters to us.” They are about documenting who your family is right now, in this moment, because this version of your family will never exist again in exactly this way.

Whether it is a first birthday, a pregnancy announcement, a yearly family session, or even a “we just survived our first year as parents, and we deserve some good photos” kind of celebration, these are the images that end up meaning the most as the years go by.

If you have been thinking about booking a milestone session but keep putting it off, this is your sign. The time will pass whether you document it or not. You might as well have some beautiful photos to show for it.

Planning Your Own Family Session at Ravenswood Mansion

If Ravenswood Mansion is meaningful to your family, or if you just love the look of that gorgeous tree-lined driveway and all the lush Nashville greenery, I would love to talk about planning your session there.

Spring is one of my favorite times to photograph at Ravenswood because the grounds are so green, the light is soft and pretty, and when the weather cooperates (like it did for Clayton and Rachel), it is just perfection.

And yes, your dog is absolutely welcome to come. Even if they are still a little jealous of the new baby.

Ready to book your own family session? Fill out my contact form and tell me about your family. I would love to hear your story. You can book here. 

Thinking about capturing your own maternity photos too? I wrote a blog all about when to take your maternity photos that will help you plan the timing.

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