Thank you for choosing Jessica Blair Photography for your milestone session. You may be wondering what to expect and how to prepare for your session, so i’ve got a few tips and tricks for you!
Small Children: Small kids are so fun to photograph! They’re typically energetic and full of giggles if they are in a good mood. But like anyone they can get cranky if they’re hungry or tired. A great idea is to plan your session time in the morning after breakfast and a good nights sleep, or after your child’s nap so they’re fresh and ready. Bring snacks in case your child gets hungry or treats to help them sit still during portrait shots. If your child has a favorite toy or something that makes them giggle, share that with me so I can incorporate behind the scenes to make the session fun for your child. Keep it light! Try not to scold children during the shoot. This typically leads to tears and/or strained smiles and stress for everyone.
Older Children: If your child brings a device like a phone or tablet to the session it’s a good idea to leave it in the car as it can be distracting if it’s in their pocket. Let them be involved in choosing their outfit so they are comfortable. Older kids can sometimes have a hard time “loosening up” for their shoot so it helps if they feel good in what they’re wearing.
The Nitty Gritty: Kids of all ages can get boogies in their noses, have dirty faces or crazy hair! Try to check your children thoroughly to make sure their faces and noses are clear of anything you might not want showing up in your images. All photographs are professionally edited but you’ll make my job a lot easier if their faces are clean and ready to go! Bringing some wipes and a hairbrush is a great idea for last minute touch ups. Sometimes you’ll even need to pull them out during the session and that is totally fine! Check your child during your shoot to make sure they’re still boogie free.
When should I schedule my child’s milestone or cake smash session?
Please try to schedule your session at least 1-2 months prior to your child’s event so that I can ensure you a spot on my calendar and to allow me enough time to plan and design your session. If you are planning on using photos as an invitation for a birthday party or as decor at one, please remember that galleries are delivered 2 weeks from the session date so allow yourself enough time to receive the gallery and to get invitations created/images printed.
What all is included in a cake smash session?
Cake smash’s include one fully customized set up to your desired theme/color. Upon booking (or at least one month prior to your scheduled session) we will go over the details of your session and your inspiration. Cake Smash sessions include one wardrobe change (2 total outfits), portraits before the cake, the cake smashing and then “bubble bath” portraits (I do not use water as some little ones do not like this)! We will have 30 minutes of shoot time and you will receive 15 high resolution digital images with the option to purchase additional images or upgrade to the full gallery if you would like.
What should I bring to my child’s cake smash or miles stone session?
All props and backrop will be provided by me! For safety and liability reasons, any foods; cake, cookies, etc., must be provided by you. Cake smashes can get pretty messy so don’t forget to bring clean clothes for after the session! Baby wipes and/or towels can be helpful when cleaning your little one off.