A Whimsical Two-Year-Old Birthday Session Inspired by Art, Imagination,

and a Secret Bucket List Dream

Some photo sessions feel fun.
Some feel meaningful.
And then there are the rare ones that feel like a quiet YES from the universe.

This whimsical two-year-old birthday session was one of those.

Creative two-year-old birthday portrait session styled as an art-inspired balloon garden with playful florals and sculptural detailsCreative two-year-old birthday portrait session styled as an art-inspired balloon garden with playful florals and sculptural details But before we get there....Let's look at how it all started.

I first met this family with their first born.  We instantly connected and I came to learn what an artistic vibe they have as a family.  They love music and contemporary art and pop culture in general.  When her oldest was turning TWO, she inquired about a "unique" session for him.  TBH, something I had never even heard of. "NPR TINY DESK STUDIO".  They loved the music from those performances and her son in particular had a favorite artist who was featured on it!  After I googled it :) I got inspired and this is that session! (2022)

Two-year-old musician themed photo session inspired by NPR Tiny Desk, featuring a toddler holding an electric guitar in a studio music settingTwo-year-old musician themed photo session inspired by NPR Tiny Desk, featuring a toddler holding an electric guitar in a studio music setting Two-year-old musician themed photo session inspired by NPR Tiny Desk, featuring a toddler holding an electric guitar in a studio music settingTwo-year-old musician themed photo session inspired by NPR Tiny Desk, featuring a toddler holding an electric guitar in a studio music setting Two-year-old musician themed photo session inspired by NPR Tiny Desk, featuring a toddler holding an electric guitar in a studio music settingTwo-year-old musician themed photo session inspired by NPR Tiny Desk, featuring a toddler holding an electric guitar in a studio music setting Two-year-old musician themed photo session inspired by NPR Tiny Desk, featuring a toddler holding an electric guitar in a studio music settingTwo-year-old musician themed photo session inspired by NPR Tiny Desk, featuring a toddler holding an electric guitar in a studio music setting Two-year-old musician themed photo session inspired by NPR Tiny Desk, featuring a toddler holding an electric guitar in a studio music settingTwo-year-old musician themed photo session inspired by NPR Tiny Desk, featuring a toddler holding an electric guitar in a studio music setting Two-year-old musician themed photo session inspired by NPR Tiny Desk, featuring a toddler holding an electric guitar in a studio music settingTwo-year-old musician themed photo session inspired by NPR Tiny Desk, featuring a toddler holding an electric guitar in a studio music setting Two-year-old musician themed photo session inspired by NPR Tiny Desk, featuring a toddler holding an electric guitar in a studio music settingTwo-year-old musician themed photo session inspired by NPR Tiny Desk, featuring a toddler holding an electric guitar in a studio music setting Two-year-old musician themed photo session inspired by NPR Tiny Desk, featuring a toddler holding an electric guitar in a studio music settingTwo-year-old musician themed photo session inspired by NPR Tiny Desk, featuring a toddler holding an electric guitar in a studio music setting

Then I learned that they were adding to their beautiful family and she scheduled a newborn session for her little girl!  Being art aficionados - they asked if I could incorporate a set or two inspired by artist Banksy.  So we did these are her newborn session (2023.)

Banksy-inspired newborn photography featuring fine art minimalist styling with angel wings, painted motion effects, and a red heart balloon on a soft gray backdropBanksy-inspired newborn photography featuring fine art minimalist styling with angel wings, painted motion effects, and a red heart balloon on a soft gray backdrop Banksy-inspired newborn photography featuring fine art minimalist styling with angel wings, painted motion effects, and a red heart balloon on a soft gray backdropBanksy-inspired newborn photography featuring fine art minimalist styling with angel wings, painted motion effects, and a red heart balloon on a soft gray backdrop Banksy-inspired newborn photography featuring fine art minimalist styling with angel wings, painted motion effects, and a red heart balloon on a soft gray backdropBanksy-inspired newborn photography featuring fine art minimalist styling with angel wings, painted motion effects, and a red heart balloon on a soft gray backdrop

And then incorporated them again for her nine month milestone session and her One Year Portrait Session! (2024)

Banksy-inspired newborn photography featuring fine art minimalist styling with angel wings, painted motion effects, and a red heart balloon on a soft gray backdropBanksy-inspired newborn photography featuring fine art minimalist styling with angel wings, painted motion effects, and a red heart balloon on a soft gray backdrop Banksy-inspired newborn photography featuring fine art minimalist styling with angel wings, painted motion effects, and a red heart balloon on a soft gray backdropBanksy-inspired newborn photography featuring fine art minimalist styling with angel wings, painted motion effects, and a red heart balloon on a soft gray backdrop Banksy-inspired newborn photography featuring fine art minimalist styling with angel wings, painted motion effects, and a red heart balloon on a soft gray backdropBanksy-inspired newborn photography featuring fine art minimalist styling with angel wings, painted motion effects, and a red heart balloon on a soft gray backdrop Banksy-inspired newborn photography featuring fine art minimalist styling with angel wings, painted motion effects, and a red heart balloon on a soft gray backdropBanksy-inspired newborn photography featuring fine art minimalist styling with angel wings, painted motion effects, and a red heart balloon on a soft gray backdrop

BUT her ONE Year Session didn't end here.  Her whole set (another of my secret bucket list designs) came together as a 2D set featuring an "Art Gallery" wall with a nod to some of their favorite artists, Takashi Murakami, KAWS, Koons, and Invader. Here is that session (2024)

Art-inspired first birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a vibrant pink dress against a graphic black-and-white illustrated set, with visual nods to Takashi Murakami, KAWS, Jeff Koons, and Invader Art-inspired first birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a vibrant pink dress against a graphic black-and-white illustrated set, with visual nods to Takashi Murakami, KAWS, Jeff Koons, and Invader Art-inspired first birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a vibrant pink dress against a graphic black-and-white illustrated set, with visual nods to Takashi Murakami, KAWS, Jeff Koons, and Invader Art-inspired first birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a vibrant pink dress against a graphic black-and-white illustrated set, with visual nods to Takashi Murakami, KAWS, Jeff Koons, and Invader Art-inspired first birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a vibrant pink dress against a graphic black-and-white illustrated set, with visual nods to Takashi Murakami, KAWS, Jeff Koons, and Invader Art-inspired first birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a vibrant pink dress against a graphic black-and-white illustrated set, with visual nods to Takashi Murakami, KAWS, Jeff Koons, and Invader Art-inspired first birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a vibrant pink dress against a graphic black-and-white illustrated set, with visual nods to Takashi Murakami, KAWS, Jeff Koons, and Invader Art-inspired first birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a vibrant pink dress against a graphic black-and-white illustrated set, with visual nods to Takashi Murakami, KAWS, Jeff Koons, and Invader Art-inspired first birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a vibrant pink dress against a graphic black-and-white illustrated set, with visual nods to Takashi Murakami, KAWS, Jeff Koons, and Invader Art-inspired first birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a vibrant pink dress against a graphic black-and-white illustrated set, with visual nods to Takashi Murakami, KAWS, Jeff Koons, and Invader So, how do we top those for her little one's TWO Year Session!

When mom first reached out, she wasn’t totally sure what direction she wanted to go. We’d already done artist-inspired sessions together before, so I knew we needed something that felt elevated but playful, creative but still very childhood. And tucked away on my own secret bucket list was a session concept I’d been saving for the right kid, the right family, and the right moment.

This was it.

A Playful Art-Inspired Set With a Nod to Koontz

This  session was inspired by bold color, joyful chaos, and the kind of imaginative worlds kids naturally live in. With a subtle nod to Koontz-style art, the set blends sculptural balloon elements, whimsical florals, and playful textures that feel both gallery-worthy and completely kid-approved.

The result was a fine-art toddler portrait session that still let a two-year-old be exactly who they are. Curious. Expressive. A little wild. Perfect.  Here are those images (2025).

Art-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff KoonsArt-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff Koons Art-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff KoonsArt-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff Koons Art-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff KoonsArt-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff Koons Art-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff KoonsArt-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff Koons Art-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff KoonsArt-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff Koons Art-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff KoonsArt-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff Koons Art-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff KoonsArt-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff Koons Art-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff KoonsArt-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff Koons Art-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff KoonsArt-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff Koons Art-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff KoonsArt-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff Koons Art-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff KoonsArt-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff Koons Art-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff KoonsArt-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff Koons Art-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff KoonsArt-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff Koons Art-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff KoonsArt-inspired two-year-old birthday photo session featuring a toddler in a pink dress within a whimsical balloon garden set, with playful sculptural elements and a visual nod to Jeff Koons

Custom Themed Photography at Studio 120

When parents trust the process, even when they’re unsure at first, the results are always something special.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being able to be creative and cohesive with sessions over the YEARS!  I am so grateful this family has chosen me as their photographer, to create images they love and cherish and who appreciate the vision, art and dedication of my business.

I'll close with some images from their family session! Of course they wanted a location a bit different than the usual "outdoor in nature/field" vibe! They wanted lines and texture - art in architecture!

Outdoor family portrait session featuring parents and two young children smiling together against a warm neutral architectural backdropOutdoor family portrait session featuring parents and two young children smiling together against a warm neutral architectural backdrop Outdoor family portrait session featuring parents and two young children smiling together against a warm neutral architectural backdropOutdoor family portrait session featuring parents and two young children smiling together against a warm neutral architectural backdrop Outdoor family portrait session featuring parents and two young children smiling together against a warm neutral architectural backdropOutdoor family portrait session featuring parents and two young children smiling together against a warm neutral architectural backdrop

If you’re looking for more than just a one-time session and want a photographer who can grow with your family year after year, I’d be honored to tell your story. From newborn days to toddler milestones, birthdays, and beyond, Studio 120 Photography is here to document the seasons of your life as they unfold.