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!

Spring Mini Sessions 2023

Spring mini sessions have specific locations & dates so pay attention to that when booking. These sessions are for the whole family. For these sessions, i bring kids props and things to sit on. I wont have a specific set up for them, its like a regular family session in a park.

Session fee is $200 & you will get all the images from session. I dont put a specific number on this because some families are bigger. The images that look good are the ones that you will recieve. Average will be around 50. That being said, it will take me longer to edit these. I have added an add on so that you can jump the line. It will be first come first serve on that.