Toddler

Toddler

Cake Smash Fit by Kimberlin Gray Photography

Posted in: Inspire, Toddler

When I first saw this submission by Kimberlin Gray Photography, I started cracking up. I haven’t seen a cake smash yet where there isn’t a meltdown by the end of the session – but to have a meltdown in the beginning is epic. Also loving the matching purple tutu, backdrop, and cake.

Be sure to check our post for tips for a successful cake smash! and Kimberlin Gray’s awesome tips at the end of this post.

One last thing! – I also found this flooring from Amazon if you’re looking for “wood flooring” that’s portable.

From Kimberlin Gray Photography: Sometimes, the best images come from sessions that are not “perfect.” I adore the Baby’s 1st Birthday “cake smash” session. There are so many priceless moments captured. I especially love the details – chubby fingers covered in icing, toes embedded in cake, and the grin of a baby who gets her first taste of yummy, sugary birthday cake.

This session, however, did not go as planned. But, what it did was capture the true personality of this spunky, dramatic baby girl! Her mother absolutely LOVED that we were able to freeze this stage in time with our session together. It began with a mini-tantrum (the first image shows how she flopped down on my studio floor as if to say, “You want me to do WHAT?” and ended in a complete all-out tantrum…until she got some wipes and decided that it was okay as long as she could get the cake OFF!

Definitely not a “typical” cake smash, but absolutely my favorite images!

Tips from Kimberlin Gray Photography: The key to a successful cake smash is preparation. Be sure parents know that they can bring a special first birthday outfit to take a few photos in first, but cake smash wardrobe is best if it’s just a plain colored diaper cover or tutu! Accessories are always great – a birthday hat or headband/bow for girls often completes the picture. Parents should know that they need to be ready to put baby back in front of the cake if she starts to crawl away. The last thing you want is to have to worry about getting cake and icing on your camera by re-positioning a cake-covered baby! But, keep a roll of paper towels and wipes handy just in case. Lastly, after a few minutes of letting the baby explore and taste, ask mom to dig in to get some cake for baby. Sometimes, the baby doesn’t get past all that icing. I often have moms dig out some cake from the middle so that the baby can see that there is more to it than just the sweet stuff. Often times things get really messy after that! Above all, just go with it. You never know how a baby is going to react to a cake smash session, but your job is to capture it and have fun!

// Photography by Kimberlin Gray Photography // Follow Kimberlin Gray Photography on Facebook //
1920s Sweetness by Youkeun Oh Photography

Posted in: Family, Inspire, Toddler

This submission only reminded me of how much I want a little girl just so I could dress her up in super adorable outfits! These photographs totally goes to show how important dress and coordinating clothes can completely make or break a session. My fashion expertise comes from Google, so if these clothes are inspired by a different era than the 1920s, please let me know in the comments!

Anyone else have some unique styling in their sessions? Would love to hear about them in the comments!

From Youkeun Oh Photography: The adorable Ms. Calista is 11 months old in these shots. They were taken at Greystone Mansion and at Roxbury Park (both located in Beverly Hills, CA). We scheduled the session right after a nap and feeding which was around 1:30 PM. I like to do that with all my infant/baby portraits…that’ll give us about 1.5 hours before we get a cranky baby.

// Photography by Youkeun Oh Photography // Youkeun Oh Blog // Follow Youkeun Oh on Facebook //
Simple Sweetness by connie M chung

Posted in: Family, Inspire, Toddler

I love this session from connie M chung because it shows what you can achieve with simply just a sweet family being themselves (with the help of course of a wonderful photographer, coordinated clothing, and a beautiful location). She completely captured the emotions – love, silliness, happiness – as it occurred. Having a husband and a 14 month old myself, I know these are the moments I would want to remember.

Let us know what you think of this session in the comments! and be sure to read how Connie manages her family sessions after the photos!

From connie M chung: I think it’s safe to say that most people can agree that photographing children is not the easiest of tasks. In fact, it can be quite challenging in comparison to other subjects because they are not usually the ones “choosing” to be photographed and are sometimes too young to know how to follow “directions”. However, such challenges are no doubt partially the reason why it can also be so rewarding to photograph children. For the most part, there are no fake pretenses and they are comfortable being “themselves” whether that is playful and giggling or grumpy and crying. As a photographer, I consider it my job to remain calm, flexible and adaptable, all the while capturing any genuine emotions and moments that may occur. I strongly believe in letting the session naturally unfold and using my experience and professional expertise to help manage that flow.

// Photography by connie M chung // Follow connie M chung on Facebook //