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cassy veLazez

A Modern Dohl Korean First Birthday in Orange County

Leighton’s First Birthday Celebration

There’s something incredibly special about photographing a Korean first birthday (dohl) in Orange County. More than a party, it’s a meaningful milestone rooted in tradition, family, and gratitude. Leighton’s first birthday was exactly that. Elegant, intentional, and filled with quiet moments of joy that made this celebration unforgettable.

As Leighton’s first birthday photographer, I had the honor of documenting every detail from the soft, pastel color palette to the intimate interactions between family members. This dohl celebration beautifully blended Korean cultural elements with a clean, modern aesthetic. It was a day that felt both timeless and personal.

Dohl party setup with floral decor, pastel balloons, and shiny silver spheres. A wooden table holds a pink cake and flowers, under a decorative backdrop.
Two-tier cake with pink floral designs and tassels on a wooden table. Nearby are floral baby shoes and chocolate balls.
Dohl party table featuring floral centerpiece with yellow and pink flowers, decorative cookies, mini pumpkins, and disco balls on a wooden surface.

What Is a Dohl Korean First Birthday?

A dohl (also spelled dol or doljanchi) is a traditional Korean first birthday celebration that honors a baby’s first year of life. Historically, reaching one year old was a major milestone, and today, the dohl remains a deeply symbolic event focused on health, prosperity, and family legacy.

Elegant dohl party setup with pastel balloons, floral arrangements, and decorative sweets on a wooden table. Soft, natural light streams through large windows.

One of the most meaningful parts of a dohl is called the doljabi, where symbolic objects are placed in front of the baby, and whichever item they choose is believed to hint at their future.

A soft white rug with a microphone, stethoscope, notebook, and rolled 100-dollar bill. Bright sunlight casts shadows, creating a calm, contemplative mood.
A man helps a baby crawl on a fluffy white rug in a decorated room with flowers and disco balls. A stethoscope and microphone are on the rug.
A baby, dressed in white and pink, crawls on a fluffy white rug, surrounded by a stethoscope, microphone, and writing tablet. Festive decor and balloons in the background.
A baby in a pink and white dress is crawling on a soft, white rug. Nearby are a microphone and stethoscope.
A young child in a white and pink dress plays on a soft rug, holding a microphone. Nearby are a book and a toy stethoscope.
A toddler in a white dress lies on a fluffy rug, holding a microphone. Nearby are a stethoscope and pastel party decor, creating a playful scene.

Audrey K Events coordinated and put together Leighton’s dohl Korean first birthday in Diamond Bar.. Audrey designed and created this beautiful dohl table.

Elegant dessert table with a white cake adorned with pink ribbons, surrounded by pastel flowers, sweets, and decor in a soft and celebratory setting.
A cozy scene with wrapped pink gifts on a wooden bench, surrounded by pale flowers. Three mirrored disco balls rest on a brown carpet.
A wooden tray holds assorted decorative cookies, a small white pumpkin, and mini disco balls. Nearby, pink flowers are in a vase.
White, floral-decorated baby shoes rest on a wooden table near a pink cake. Beside them, a small pink dress cookie adds a playful, sweet touch.
Elegant dessert table with a chocolate cake adorned with pearls, a floral arrangement, metallic orbs, and a cake with white and pink tiers.
A cozy wooden shelf displays a white vase holding rolled papers, a small black pot, and a tray with pink flowers and pastel cookies. Soft flowers add a fresh, serene touch.
Elegant floral arrangement in soft pastel tones in front of a decorative panel. The panel features the name "Leighton" and delicate botanical designs.
A wooden tray holds pink and white treats shaped like a dress, cross, and flower. Nearby, a pink bag and white flowers evoke a delicate, celebratory tone.
A pink and white hanbok-shaped cookie on a small wooden easel, placed in a wicker basket on a wooden table. A bowl of round rice balls is in the background.

If you’re planning a dohl Korean first birthday in Orange County and are looking for a photographer who values emotion, detail, and timeless storytelling, I would love to connect.

A Soft, Modern Take on a Dohl Celebration

From the moment I walked into the event space at Diamond Bar Center, I was struck by how cohesive and elevated the design felt. The details leaned into soft blush tones, natural wood textures, and airy floral arrangements that filled the room with warmth and light.

The dessert and display table was a true focal point. The event was thoughtfully curated with delicate florals, handcrafted desserts, and meaningful decorative pieces. It felt refined without being overly styled. Every element had room to breathe, which not only elevated the guest experience but photographed beautifully. My Glorious Treat made the cookies and Dalcom Cake USA made the gorgeous cake.

A wooden table adorned with a floral arrangement and disco balls sits beside pastel balloons. The setup conveys a festive and elegant atmosphere.
Elegant dessert table with flowers, candles, and a cake, accented by silver disco balls and pink balloons. The setting is bright and festive.
Elegant dessert table with a two-tiered white cake, surrounded by pastel flowers, small pastries, and decorative balloons.

This modern approach to a dohl Korean first birthday is something I see more families gravitating toward, honoring tradition without sacrificing personal style.

The Details That Made This Dohl First Birthday Special

What stood out most during Leighton’s first birthday was the attention to detail. From the custom backdrop by Paper Haven to the delicate props placed throughout the celebration, everything was chosen with intention.

Elegant setting with pastel floral arrangement on a wooden table. Nearby, treats and disco balls add charm. Background features delicate floral panels.
A vase with pastel yellow and pink flowers sits on a wooden table with decorative cookies and mini disco balls, creating a bright and cheerful scene.
A two-tiered pastel cake on a wooden stand is surrounded by flowers, baby shoes, and assorted desserts on a table, creating a festive, elegant atmosphere.
Decorative backdrop with floral artwork, butterfly motifs, and the word "LEIGHTON" in soft colors. A table in front holds a pastel flower arrangement, small cake, desserts, and mirrored spheres, creating an elegant and serene atmosphere.
Elegant dessert display featuring mini cakes with pink frosting on wooden pedestals, surrounded by soft pink balloons and a vase of white flowers.
A wooden table displays a pink cake, chocolates, flowers, and shiny ornaments. Wrapped gifts and delicate pastries create a cheerful, festive atmosphere.
Elegant table setting with a bouquet of pastel flowers, trays of cookies, a basket of chocolate balls, and disco balls.

The florals were soft and organic, complementing the neutral tones of the space. Subtle textures like wood, ceramics, and linen added depth without overwhelming the scene. These details matter, especially when it comes to photography, because they help create images that feel timeless rather than trendy.

As a photographer, these thoughtfully styled environments allow me to focus on what matters most: connection, emotion, and story.

Capturing Leighton’s Personality at One

Leighton was an absolute joy to photograph. At one year old, babies are curious, expressive, and wonderfully unpredictable. I think this is exactly what makes documenting a dohl so special.

A toddler in traditional Korean attire with a pink hanbok stands on a carpet. Behind, a decorated table has flowers and balloons, creating a festive atmosphere.

One of my favorite moments from the day was watching Leighton explore her surroundings with wide-eyed curiosity. Whether she was reaching for objects, observing her family, or engaging with playful props, every interaction felt genuine and unforced.

A family celebrating a special occasion with a baby in traditional attire. The parents are smiling joyfully at their child, with a decorative cake in front of them.
A joyful family photo at a celebration. A man and woman joyfully hold a baby in pink, standing behind a pink cake with yellow and white flowers around.
A woman joyfully holds a baby dressed in pink and white traditional attire against a soft floral backdrop. Yellow flowers in the foreground add warmth.
A man holds a young child in a pink outfit while another man stands beside them. They're in a room decorated with flowers and balloons.
A smiling man holds a baby in a pink dress inside a room with wooden doors. The scene conveys warmth and joy, as he looks at someone off-camera.
A man in a white shirt holds a baby dressed in pink and white, with pink decorations in the background. Two women face them, creating a warm, family atmosphere.

These are the moments parents want to remember, not just how everything looked, but how their child was at this age.

Why Photography Matters for a Dohl Korean First Birthday

A dohl Korean first birthday in Orange County is often one of the first large family gatherings centered around a child. Grandparents, relatives, and close friends come together to celebrate not just the baby, but the journey of the family over the past year.

Professional photography ensures these moments are preserved. The quiet glances, the laughter, the way a parent instinctively reaches for their child. These images become part of a family’s history, passed down and cherished long after the celebration ends.

My approach is documentary-driven with a refined, editorial touch. I focus on storytelling, capturing both the beauty of the details and the emotional moments unfolding naturally throughout the day.

A display table with wooden boxes, each holding cards with simple line drawings. Framed baby photos and colorful baby shoes add warmth.
A woman in a light dress gestures while talking to another woman in green. A man stands nearby. They are in a sunlit room with balloons and disco balls.
A man in a patterned shirt holds a smiling baby on his lap, while another person sits nearby. A man in a striped shirt is seated in the background.
A woman in a pink dress and boots walks past a decorative table adorned with flowers, cakes, and balloons in a bright, modern room.
A group of people sit around a table in a brightly lit room. One person, smiling widely, engages in conversation.

Orange County: A Beautiful Setting for a Dohl Celebration

Orange County offers the perfect backdrop for modern dohl celebrations. With its abundance of natural light, thoughtfully designed venues, and families who value intentional experiences, it’s an ideal place to host a dohl Korean first birthday.

Leighton’s celebration took full advantage of the bright, airy setting, allowing the styling and emotions to shine. The neutral space in Diamond Bar enhanced the soft color palette and made every image feel light, clean, and timeless.

Framed photos of a baby and family are displayed on a table. A sign reads "Leighton's First Birthday." The scene is joyful and celebratory.
A pastel pink sign on an easel reads "Welcome to Leighton's First Birthday" in white text, with decorative elements. Nearby, there are floral-patterned shoes.
A collection of colorful birthday gift bags and boxes sits on a white tablecloth by a window.

A Celebration Rooted in Family

At the heart of this dohl Korean first birthday in Orange County was family. Throughout the celebration, I watched Leighton surrounded by love. Her parents beaming with pride, her aunties adoring her every move, relatives quietly observing, and moments of connection happening in between the planned events.

These in-between moments are often my favorite to photograph. They’re unscripted, emotional, and real. The kind of memories that become more meaningful with time.

A young child in a white dress with pink accents sits on a carpet, holding a small disco ball. Behind, a wooden table features flowers and more disco balls, creating a festive atmosphere.
Two babies sitting on a carpet at a pink-themed party. The left baby wears a floral shirt, the right wears a pink dress, both holding water bottles.
Three toddlers playfully engage at a party. One stands with water bottles, while the other two sit, one in a pink dress sipping water.
A cheerful group photo at a celebration. Five adults and two toddlers smile in a decorated room with pastel balloons and a sunny ambiance.

Planning Your Own Dohl Korean First Birthday in Orange County

If you’re planning a dohl Korean first birthday in Orange County, here are a few things to consider:

  • Intentional styling: Choose a color palette and design that reflects your family’s aesthetic while honoring tradition.
  • Natural light: Venues with great light elevate both the experience and the photography.
  • Room to breathe: Avoid overcrowding tables and backdrops so moments can unfold naturally.
  • Documentary photography: Look for a photographer who understands the significance of a dohl and focuses on storytelling, not just posed shots.

Leighton’s first birthday was a beautiful reminder of why dohl celebrations are so meaningful. This dohl Korean first birthday in Orange County honored tradition, embraced modern design, and centered on what matters most: family, love, and the fleeting moments of childhood.

It was truly an honor to photograph this milestone, and I’m so grateful to have been part of preserving these memories for Leighton’s family.

If you’re planning a dohl Korean first birthday in Orange County and are looking for a photographer who values emotion, detail, and timeless storytelling, I would love to connect.

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