welcome
I can't wait for your session!
Let's make your little one's first birthday session amazing! The welcome guide will help you prepare. The questionnaire at the end will help me prepare. Your options vary. You can do a smash cake, milk bath, or just photograph their personality in a few outfits. All of these are included and outlined below. I look forward to telling your baby's story!
contents
1 - location
2 - smash cake
3 - what to wear
4 - Milk bath
5 - FAQs
6 - QUESTIONNARE
1 - Location
The session location will vary based on the time of year. For warmer months, I love photographing outdoors! When it's cold outside, indoor sessions are a must.
Outdoors
My favorite and preferred outdoor location is in Centennial/Parker. There are dirt paths and long grasses near the Cherry Creek trail to give us the perfect outdoor setting that photographs beautifully. For the best natural light, we will want to begin the session about 2 hours prior to sunset. If this is too late in the day for your baby, we can discuss an early morning instead, shortly after sunrise. Above all else we want a happy baby!
Indoor Studio
Moms tell me the extra fees* to rent the natural light studio are worth it when they see how beautiful the studio is. The studio time can work around your baby's routine. Morning tends to work well for most babies and the morning light in the studio is my favorite! When determining the best time for your baby, we will prioritize having a happy baby!
*Studio fees are in addition to your session fee. It is $95 for weekday and $115 for weekend.
Indoors - Your Home or Mine
In colder months, I recommend the indoor studio outlined above. However, in some cases, we can photograph in your home using a white backdrop* and/or baby's nursery as the backdrop. The featured picture shows my dining room cleared out to accommodate a backdrop and stands. If your home just won't work, ask me about using mine.
*For the backdrop we will need a bright sunny area near a large window (ideally a sliding glass door) and a hard surface floor. It should ideally be at least an 8'x8' space to fit the backdrop and stands. If you're unsure if your home will work, send me some pictures!
The session time for indoor is morning to mid-day and we schedule around your baby's routine. We will want to photograph right after a nap and being fed. Above all else, we want a happy baby!
2 - Smash Cake
so much fun!
Doing a smash cake is optional and can be included for all indoor or outdoor sessions if you wish. You provide the cake so that you can choose the color, style, and taste that is best for your baby.
Please be mindful if there are any foods your baby hasn’t eaten before; we want to avoid an allergic reaction at the session. It is recommended that your baby try the foods in advance that they will be eating. Consult your pediatrician if you have any questions.
CAKE ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:
Pancake smash with whipped cream
BIG bowl of strawberries to sit in and eat
Watermelon
Paint “splash” using edible paint
Donut smash
Spaghetti
The possibilities are endless!
Consider Adding Balloons!
Whether you're doing a cake or not, balloons would be wonderful in the backdrop if you wish to bring some! Helium balloons work well if they are weighted. Regular balloons work too, they would just sit on the floor instead of floating in the air. Coordinate the colors with your cake and outfit for a cohesive look. Be sure to bring them already blown up. If you're getting helium, get them days in advance! A little air out of them is actually the perfect height when they just hover over the ground.
3 - What to Wear
Plan for 1-3 outfits
If you are doing a smash cake, plan for 1-2 outfits before the cake. If you're not doing a smash cake, I recommend 2-3 outfits.
Add accessories like suspenders, bow ties, and hats for boys. For girls turbans, flowers, bows, clips, crowns, or headbands are adorable.
You are welcome to have more clothing options on hand than you think we will use and I can give recommendations based on what you have.
Smash Cake Outfit Boys
For your little prince’s smash cake, my recommendation is that he wear overalls with no shirt, or pants and suspenders with no shirt. Rolling the pant legs is adorable if you'd like!
Be sure you cannot see his diaper when he sits. Bare feet look best.
Bow ties, neckties, or hats of any kind can be a nice touch!
Smash Cake Outfit Girls
For your little lady’s smash cake, my recommendation is that she wear a dress, romper, bodysuit, tutu, or bloomers with a shirt. The more ruffles and frills, the better! Vintage or boho looks are very popular. I tend to prefer a tube top, off the shoulder, or a sleeveless outfit to show a little more skin. Just be sure you love whatever you choose and try it on before the session to be sure it fits well and you're happy with it. I used to photograph girls with shirt off, but lately I prefer a complete outfit.
Be sure you cannot see her diaper when she sits. A diaper cover underneath is a good option if you're concerned about her diaper showing. She will look best with bare feet!
Girls look adorable with a clip, flower, headwrap, turbine, or headband. I recommend checking out Etsy.com for ideas. Pearls (or a necklace of some kind) is a sweet touch!
Check out these shops for ideas:
Revere Threads (search Dinah Jumpsuit Velvet in rust and Evelyn romper in sage green, denim ruffle romper, crochet boho romper).
Three Peas Baby Boutique (search Eleanore Vintage Lace Romper and Della Overall Romper)
4 - Milk Bath
babies love it!
All baby sessions (indoor or outdoor) can be concluded with a warm water bath if you desire and if you haven't done one at a previous session. These can be so fun and cute!
Options for the bath include fruit, flowers, or greenery. We will want to add about 2 cups of milk to the warm water to make it creamy, which I ask you to provide so that you can use your own milk preference (cow’s milk, powdered/dry milk, goat milk, formula, or breast milk). If using breast milk, we may need a little more to achieve a richer color. If we are in your home, a large kitchen sink is also a lovely option. I will bring the bucket and the fruit, flowers, or greenery. There is a space to indicate your preference on the questionnaire below.
5 - FAQs
Is the session for baby only?
Yes. However, if you would like to upgrade to a family session, you can do that. It will change the structure a bit and in that case I don't recommend doing a cake or bath. I find baby's limited attention span doesn't allow for these extras.
What if we want family, cake, and a milk bath?
If you want a family session, cake, and a milk bath, I recommend two sessions on separate dates. You will receive a discount on the second session.
What if baby is clingy?
In the event that baby prefers to be in your arms, I recommend you come ready to be in the pictures (just in case - even though it doesn't happen often). Because the traditional one year session is designed for baby only, you will only be photographed as a last resort.
What if baby doesn't eat the cake?
For various reasons, there are some babies who don't really eat their cake, and this is ok! We will still help them smash it, and decorate their cheeks with it, and it will still be adorable for the pictures.
What do you bring?
I bring baskets, bowls, and other minimal props. If we're doing a bath, I bring the bucket, warm water, and the fruit, flowers, or greenery. If we're doing cake outdoors, I also bring a blanket.
What should I bring?
Bring outfits and accessories. If you are doing a bath, please also bring 2 cups of milk and a towel to dry off baby. If you're doing cake, have something to clean off baby at the end. And don't forget the cake! I'll send a reminder of items to bring a day or two before the session.
What kind of cake should I get?
A 6" round is a perfect size. Any cake flavor, color, and design is great. Just tell your bakery that you need soft icing since it's for a smash cake. One mom iced a round banana bread she made herself. You have options! Some bakeries will include a complimentary smash cake when you order an additional cake for the party, so ask! There is a place in the questionnaire to indicate if you need bakery recommendations. It can be adorable to coordinate the cake colors with baby's outfits.
Should I bring a cake stand?
I find having the cake on the ground without a stand is a good height so it doesn't cover baby. However, if you would like a stand you're welcome to bring one; just be sure it sits low to the ground.
Should I bring a stroller?
If we'll be outdoors or in the studio, yes! It will be helpful.
What if my home doesn't have good light?
If you don't feel your home has good light, consider the studio as a great alternative! Usually newer homes have better window light, and older homes don't because of their smaller windows.
What if the weather is bad?
For outdoor sessions, a reschedule may be necessary, or moving the time. For indoor, if we have a particularly overcast or snowy day, it may not provide us with enough natural window light. In this event, I will reach out to suggest moving the day to a sunny one.
Are the photos edited?
Yes! Every single one of your photos are professionally hand edited. If baby has any scratches or blemishes, they can be removed.
How soon will I receive my photos?
Your photos will be delivered within 2 weeks of your session.
Do you offer print services?
Yes! Printing through me is optional and conveniently available in your gallery with customizable products you will love. I make it easy for you! You will also have printing rights to print on your own if you prefer.
6 - Questionnaire
please complete - thank you!
Feel free to leave any fields blank that are not applicable. The fields with an asterisk (*) are required. Your answers will help me plan for our time together. Once your questionnaire is received, I will send you an online contract within a few days.