How To Prepare for your Newborn Session: Featuring The Quigley Family

Purple Theme Newborn Set

Your baby is here, and you're getting ready for the newborn session! Congratulations! This session captures your baby's small features and celebrates their arrival in your family. Here are some tips to make your newborn session go smoothly:

1. Make sure the baby is warm and fed.

Feed your baby just before the photographer arrives/you arrive to studio so they are happy and sleepy during the session. Also, make sure your home (If we are at your home) is warm. We may need to undress your baby, and they could get cold in just a diaper.

2. Prep your home if we are doing in-home session.

When I visit your home for the session, we will likely use various rooms. It’s helpful to tidy up those areas to reduce mess and clutter in the background. Your home doesn't have to be completely spotless; a tidy space will create a cleaner look in photos

3. Prep the family.

Inform everyone about the photoshoot, especially dads! Let Dad know we need his help during the session, even if he will only be on camera for about 30 minutes. If you have other kids, he can help keep them entertained and tidy while it's not their turn.

4. Wardrobe!

For moms, I suggest wearing white or neutral colors to avoid casting color on the baby's face in photos. Please avoid prints. For dads and other children, choose neutrals that match mom's outfit. Babies can wear anything such as onesies, diaper covers, or swaddles, but I have all we need to style baby. I have outfits, wraps, and props to pick from.

The Theme Is Important!

Winnie the Pooh Theme

Choose a theme for your cake smash session based on your baby's likes, your tastes, and the look you want. A classic color scheme or a theme from a favorite book or movie can be a good choice. Make sure the theme fits well with the background and decorations, and decide if you want it to be for a specific gender or neutral. Here's a more detailed breakdown of how to choose a theme:

Think about what your baby likes: If they have a favorite book, movie, or character, use that as a theme. Consider their favorite toys, colors, or animals to include in the theme.

Consider your likes: What colors or styles do you prefer? A basic color scheme or classic theme can give a stunning, timeless appearance. Do you have a favorite movie, book, or hobby? You can include those aspects in the theme for a personal touch. 

Consider the overall look: Think about the background, decorations, and props. Make sure they match your theme. Decide if you want a simple or elaborate style. Also, consider how the theme will go with your home decor and where you'll show the photos.

Be creative with your theme. Use books, movies, TV shows, favorite foods, or something cute. Choose a gender-neutral theme or one specific to your baby’s gender. Think of wordplay or a unique idea to make your cake smash session unforgettable.

Find ideas for cake smash themes online. Pinterest and other sites offer many examples to help you discover what you like.

Communicate with your photographer: They can give ideas and help you develop a theme that suits your baby and style. They can also assist with props, decorations, and other details.

By following these tips, you can choose a cake smash theme that is both fun and meaningful for your baby's first birthday. 

After you pick a specific theme for your session, I will send you a variety of options and creative ideas to help you choose the backdrop that would best fit your vision. Additionally, we take the time to discuss the cake as well as the outfits that would complement the theme you decide on. Not only do you have the important task of deciding on the child’s outfit, but I also always include family photos in my sessions to capture those cherished moments together.

Cake Smash Session

I had the cutest cake smash session last week. The family is adorable and so is little Dawson. His dance moves were epic. It was a boho themed set up with wood, leaves and plants as props.

For cake smash sessions, I start with family photos and individuals of the cute one year old.

Family Photos

The family photos went well and the kids are adorable. Big smiles on their faces! A win!

The Smash

Before I bring in the cake, we take photos without it and then we bring in the fun. The Cake!

Dawson seemed hesitant about digging into the cake at first but I let him go at his own pace. Once he tasted the cake, he LOVED it. He made the cutest face when eating the cake. Then he decided to crawl towards the camera!

Bubble Bath Splash

Once we finish with the cake portion then it’s BUBBLE BATH TIME! He loved splashing around in the tub.

Cake smashes are always so fun and messy but a perfect way to celebrate the milestone of turning one year old!

Cake Smash Session Preparation Guide

A cake smash session is a fun and perfect way to celebrate this milestone in your child’s life. Cake smashes are super messy but that is the whole point and the most fun!

The cake smash session will last approximately 1.5 hours including a bubble bath splash at the end.

What to Bring to a Cake Smash Session

What I Provide

• Fully customizable themed set with props, you can bring other props if you’d like.

• Themed white cake, unless allergies are specified.

• Bubble Bath session with the same themed set-up.

An outfit can be included for an additional price.

What You Provide

• Outfit to match the theme - outfits will get messy so keep that in mind.

• Outfit to change into afterword to go home in.

• Change of clothes for parents - yes you may get messy too!

• Towel.

• Baby wipes for clean up.

• Favorite snacks like Puffs or Cheerios, etc.

• A drink of choice in sip cup to wash down the cake.

• A favorite toy or noise maker that they are comfortable with to entertain them and get their attention.

• Favorite song or show that I can play that they like.

What to Expect

I will start by taking photos with the family and then first move onto individual photos with your child without the cake. Then, I will add the cake and let them dig into it at their own pace. Finally, at the end there will be a bubble bath splash in the same themed set-up.

The Cake Smash

Cake smash sessions are a milestone in your child’s life. It’s a fun way to celebrate and document them turning the big ONE! It’s not only fun for the children, but the parents have fun too. I can not tell you how many parents watch in AWE while their little one is smashing into a cake and having s good ol time. The photos are amazing, but the experience as a whole is like nothing else.

FAQ: Smash Sessions

Can we pick the theme? Yes, You can pick the theme and we will produce the set!

Theme: The possibilities are endless. Are you a sports family? Do they have a favorite movie or show?

Do we bring the cake? No, I will supply the cake.

My kid has allergies, Can you accomodate that? Yes, Of course!

Can we get family photos too? Yes, we will do that first!

Can siblings help or be in some of the cake smash photos? Of Course!

What’s Included/What’s the Process?

The session is 1.5 hours long. We will start by photographing the family. Then I will do images of the one year old before bringing out the cake. Once the cake comes out, we will no longer be able to take any extra family/sibling shots. Once the cake session is done, I will set up a tub for a splash session. This is the quickest part because the water cools off fast and we don’t want ALL the water to end up on the floor.

The package comes with 20 digital images. After your session, I will send you a link to an online gallery where you will pick out your images. You can select extra images fro $7/each. Once you select the images I will do final editing/touch ups to the images. You will be able to download them once I am done.

Mom + Me Sessions 2022

Every year, I do mommy and me sessions right before mother’s day. They are a fan favorite to say the least.
Mommas RARELY get photos with their babies because they are the ones taking all the photos!

FAQ’s

Is it just one backdrop?

I have a lifestyle set in my studio with a boho vibe. Within that set, there are many different options for posing and backgrounds. I also will have the outdoor option available if the weather is good.

What should we wear?

Neutral Colors are the way to go! Black, White, or Cream are the real winners!

Can I celebrate breastfeeding during the session?

YES!

I have multiple children, is that ok?

Yes, They will fit.

Mother’s Day will be here soon. I have been thinking for a while about painting and changing my studio to fit my brand. I made a whole corner set that mimics a bedroom. It’s perfect for Mother’s Day Photos! Im so excited to introduce this years Mother’s Day Sessions…

There are so many different poses that are possible with this set up! Check out some images from my model session.

Clothing Ideas & Choices

Think boho, spring, creams, greens……
I prefer the pant suit options.. they just make me feel comfortable. Here are some ideas for you to consider.

Dresses

These are perfect in this color, white, cream…

Mini Dress

This is just the cutest thing!

Little Man

The little overalls are to die for!

The HAT

Don’t forget to Finnish your look!

LETS NOT FORGET…..

Mommy & Me

This is definitely a trend right now.

What ever outfit you choose, just try to avoid bright neon colors, make sure your outfit doesn’t clash with your child’s outfit.

Easter Mini Sessions

Easter is coming soon. Will it be better than last Easter when everything was shutting down?
Probably not. But I do believe that my studio will be open! That means I can have a successful year of Easter Sessions. Check out this image below to learn the details of this years Easter Sessions.

What should you bring to your Easter Session?

Typically you see various Easter outfits come through the studio doors. Last year, I only had a small amount of sessions due to the pandemic. I would love to give you some ideas while you are looking for the perfect outfit this year. Check out the links I have provided below.

Girl Idea

Amazon is a great place to find super cute outfits.

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Boy Idea

Boutiques are also great places to shop.

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Head Piece

Etsy… Need I say more?

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Show up with the best dressed family. Avoid too much match matchy and bright colors. Stick to a more pastel, simple outfit. Add something EXTRA! Don’t afraid to get some head pieces to go with the extra cute outfit. Bunny ears, hats, bonnets, and crowns just add to an image. Make your session worth it by dressing your family in the right attire.