Clara’s Third Birthday: A Colorful DIY Fabric Photoshoot

We celebrated Clara turning three with a bright, messy, and utterly charming photoshoot centered around a custom piece of fabric she helped create. Like we’ve done in past years, we turned her birthday portrait into a mini art project by letting her paint on two yards of plain white cotton. The result was playful, candid, and full of personality—exactly what we wanted to capture for her third birthday photos.

The painting session gave Clara a huge canvas to explore color, texture, and her own creative ideas. Once the fabric was dry, we used it as the backdrop for the shoot. She loved seeing her artwork turned into a set, and her enthusiasm shows in every frame.

We always end up with a mix of posed shots and candid outtakes, and this session was no different. One especially funny moment came when we asked Clara how old she would be. She flashed a handful of fingers—plus a few extra for dramatic effect—so there’s a very cute “pretend I don’t see seven fingers” vibe to that photo.

There were also classic, goofy poses that instantly made us smile. One shot perfectly captured her dramatic “Home Alone” face, complete with wide eyes and a look of exaggerated surprise. Those spontaneous expressions are the heart of family photos: raw and unforgettable.

Clara was just as delighted by the paint on her shirt as she was by the backdrop. She took several moments to admire the colorful mess—strokes, splatters, and little handprints that turned an ordinary tee into a wearable work of art.

And then there was the swagger. At one point she struck pose after pose, channeling pure kid confidence. Those frames are full of attitude and show how much fun she had owning the moment.

Some moments were delightfully mysterious—we couldn’t quite remember how one particular stance happened. It looked part dance, part dramatic exit, and entirely Clara. There’s a possibility it bordered on “crunking,” but whatever it was, it made for a fantastic shot.

We coaxed her into sitting down for a few calmer portraits once the energy settled. At that point, a little paint on the pants didn’t matter—everything was committed to the birthday moment and the memories it created.

She didn’t stop at clothing—some paint even found its way onto her face. Those tiny, accidental marks only added to the authenticity of the shoot, highlighting how much fun she had creating and playing.

Late in the session we realized that the images would look even sweeter without Crocs, so we took a few barefoot shots to capture a softer, more natural look. Bare feet, paint-splattered fabric, and big smiles—those are the details that make family photos feel timeless.

It’s hard not to be biased, but we honestly think she’s one of the coolest little kids around. Her combination of creativity, humor, and confidence made the entire project a joy from start to finish.

Happy third birthday, Beansie! This year’s custom-fabric photoshoot gave us a treasure trove of memories—colorful, candid, and full of the kind of personality that makes family photos worth taking. We’ll cherish these pictures for years to come.