A Magical Mushroom Fairytale: A 2nd Birthday Photo Session Full of Wonder

Oct 23

Turning two is a magical milestone, and what better way to celebrate than with a whimsical fairytale-themed photo session? Recently, I had the joy of capturing a stunning 2nd birthday session inspired by the enchanting world of mushrooms, fairytales, and all things magical. With a backdrop straight out of a storybook, this session brought together nature, imagination, and pure childhood wonder. Here’s a peek into this unforgettable day. Fun fact, the model is my own daughter, Rowan. She had a love for Trolls and Toad from the Super Mario Movie…so we did a little combo theme centering around mushrooms.

The Concept: A Fairytale Setting

For this session, we wanted to create a setting that felt like stepping into a fairytale. The vision centered around a charming woodland scene, complete with oversized mushrooms, tiny fairy homes, and touches of magic at every corner. The idea was to transport the birthday girl to a world of enchantment, where anything was possible. (There were also chickens present, but Rowan was scared of them.) A very special thank you to my wonderful friend Danae who let me shoot in her backyard for these beautiful images.

Styling: A Birthday Outfit Fit for A WOODLAND NYMPH

The birthday girl was dressed in an adorable red romper with white polkadots, a flowy white shirt, with high socks and boots. She even doned a mushroom hat for a few of the images. Next, she wore a soft, cream-colored dress with a green cape (I purchased at a Renaissance Faire some years ago) and a crown of flowers that added to the magical feel.

The Experience: Capturing Candid Magic

One of the best parts of this session was allowing the birthday girl to explore her magical surroundings freely. She twirled in her dress, sat by the mushrooms and, and even played with the little fairy homes I brought for her. The candid moments we captured showed her curiosity and wonder, perfectly embodying the spirit of childhood.

In between the posed shots, we took the time to snap the little moments of joy: a giggle here, a surprise there. These unplanned, organic moments brought the fairytale theme to life and made the photos even more special.