Frequently Asked Questions
"I get excited and most of the time that means i start to ramble my words, jump up and down, say the most random things (which works in my favor because generally you're going to laugh at it and I can capture that with my camera!!!)"
-Samantha
How to prepare for a family shoot.
Choose clothing carefully.
Long gone is the look of a whole family in khaki pants and white polos. I recommend a coordinated look while avoiding looking “matchy matchy.” Think similar, coordinating colors but with the same pop of color here and there. If you would like me to take a look at your outfit choices before the session, you’re welcomed to send me some photos!
Timing is everything.
Plan around nap time. While it is best to shoot a few hours before sunset or right after the sun rises, if you have a little one that will be unhappy at those times, please let me know. We want your children to be at their happiest
Be candid.
Don’t be afraid of candid photos. While I do some posing during your session, a lot of it will be very natural interactive moments between you and your family. If your child is seeming uncooperative and not wanting to look at the camera, continue laughing and playing. Most of my favorite family shots are when everyone is laughing amongst each other.
Be prepared.
Pack a little bag of necessities. I recommend bringing some type of little snack just in case your children need a break (non-messy snacks like goldfish or pretzels are great), a favorite toy and an outfit change just in case! An IPAD with favorite shows or movies loaded in case they need a little breaker to calm down OR to have you hold above and behind me to get your kiddo to focus on the camera!
How to prepare for your maternity session.
Timing.
Choosing the right timeframe for your maternity photos is very important. We want you to look very pregnant with a nice, round belly, but we don’t want you to be so pregnant that you are starting to feel uncomfortable. For this reason, I recommend getting your photos done during your 7th or 8th month.
Clothing.
I recommend wearing something that you feel beautiful in. A solid, form fitting dress always looks great. Just be weary of wearing scarves, cardigans or busy patterns. We want to accentuate your belly, not hide it! You can NEVER go wrong with a long flowy dress or a BOHO style - just add a flower crown and you are good to go!
Special items.
Some clients choose to bring ultrasounds, shoes, or other special items for their session. Make sure to take time ahead of schedule to look up ideas you like so you can share those with me and I can let you know if I have anything on hand and what you for sure need to bring!
Bring.
If this is a family maternity shoot, make sure to bring along a family member or family friend that your kiddo is comfortable with! That way we have an extra pair of hands while doing photos of just the parents!
How to prepare for your cake smash session.
Schedule.
Cake smash sessions are generally booked no more than a month before your child’s actual birthday.
Outfits.
We will begin your baby’s session with a few regular portraits. Feel free to bring a separate outfit for this portion of the session. For the actual cake smash, boys look great in blue jeans or diaper cover paired with suspenders or a tie. A pair of leggings, a onesie and a cute hat will also do the trick. For girls, ruffled bottoms, leggings, pearls and a tutu are perfect.
The Cake.
Giant cupcakes or small-tiered cakes photograph best. Remember, the baby will be smashing the cake into a thousand pieces. I recommend a simple yellow cake with butter cream or whipped cream frosting. Fondant is pretty but not easy to eat with your fingers. Red or brown cake/icing is not recommended.
The Mess.
Giving a cake to a baby surely makes a mess I recommend bringing wipes, a towel and a change of clothing for the whole family.
Themes & Colors.
This is the BEST part! First off, we will be taking photos with two types of backdrops. The first backdrop will be a simple backdrop either inside the studio or outdoors (outside the studio) weather permitting. With this backdrop choose whichever outfit you would like your little one to wear! The 2nd backdrop is going to be for the cake smash! For each cake smash session, I purchase a personalized backdrop just for you based on the theme or color you are going for! I will send you a few options from the company I purchase from, and you get to choose the backdrop you'd like to have purchased for your session (the price of this is included in your session). LET'S not forget about the BUBBLE BATH! At the end of each cake smash session, I bring out the mini clawfoot bathtub for some adorable bathtub playtime to end our session!
Before the Session.
It is very possible that your baby will not like the taste or texture of the cake. I suggest buying your baby a little cupcake the week before to see how he or she reacts to playing in the icing and eating it. It will help them get used to the new food.
The Day Of.
Don’t be alarmed if your baby doesn’t tear away at the frosting immediately. Some babies eat neatly while others dive right in. Some babies need a little assistance from mom or dad to figure out what to do. It is a process that should be exciting for both of you! If your little one isn't showing interest in the cake hop in and show them how to make a MESS with the cake! Please be aware that not all babies enjoy smashing their cake and it is possible that your child will be unconsolable if that do not like it. For this reason, I do not reshoot cake smashes.