Monday, April 1, 2013

Baby's First Year - part 4

And now we have reached the fourth and final session in my "Baby Expressions" first year portrait package. The one year birthday session! One year olds are the perfect age for pictures, not only because it's such an important landmark, but also because they are so much fun!
Professional portrait of a happy one year old baby


Many parents choose to include a "cake smash" in this session, so I have a bunch of examples here for you. We always do the pretty pictures first...

Professional photo of a beautiful baby girl in Albuquerque

and then we get out the cake! Every session works out a little differently, of course, because every baby is unique.

Professional portrait of a beautiful one year old baby eating birthday cake

Sometimes I do these sessions in studio,

Professional portrait of a beautiful baby wearing a tutu in Albuquerque

which has the advantage of a bathtub upstairs for cleanup,

Professional photo of a happy baby eating birthday cake

and sometimes we go to a park or other location.

Professional photo of a happy baby boy in a park in Albuquerque

I bet some animal had a great time with the leftover chocolate frosting smears on the stairs later on. (We cleaned up the best we could!)

Professional portrait of a baby boy eating birthday cake in a park in Albuquerque

One popular option in the summer is to use my yard - I don't have the fun cement stairs, but the garden is nice and we have soft grass.

Professional portrait of a baby in nature in Albuquerque

In the summer I often move the studio outdoors (see, you can't even tell!).

Professional portrait of a one year old baby eating birthday cake

We have a fountain that's the perfect height for one year olds - sometimes they really get into the splashes!

Professional photo of a baby splashing in a fountain in Albuquerque

This is also a great session for balloons and other fun props.

Professional portrait of a baby with birthday cake and balloons

Another location possibility is to do this session at your own home. 

Professional photo of a one year old baby playing with a truck in Albuquerque

It helps if you don't mind cleaning frosting off the floor later.

Professional photo of a one year old baby eating cake

Not every baby likes cake. I try to warn moms about this because often this can be your baby's first taste of sweets of any sort. Especially if this is your first baby. (I have to admit, that while our first child didn't eat sugar until she was 18 months old, our second had ice cream at 9 months, and my husband had our youngest sucking on bacon in the hospital when she was born. Treats followed several months later. They all love candy now, no difference between them in that way...) Anyway this little guy didn't want to eat any.

Professional photo of a baby wearing a suit jacket and eating birthday cake

When we served him up a bowl of ice cream, he liked that MUCH better.

Professional portrait of a one year old baby eating ice cream

So sometimes I recommend that moms give their baby cake the week before, to see what their reaction might be so we can be prepared.

Professional portrait of a baby in a flower garden in Albuquerque

This little sweetie did not like to eat cake, not at all, (see her clean mouth?) but she did like to STIR cake with a spoon. The mess is what makes it fun.

Professional photo of a one year old cake smash outside in Albuquerque

What should your baby wear to smoosh cake? I see lots of different outfits and combinations.

Professional photo of a one year old baby playing with alphabet blocks

Most often we just put Baby in a diaper, but we also use tutus (I have a washable one that you can use), cute onesies, and I had one little guy in a suit (see above).

Professional photo of a one year old baby eating birthday cake

I always love it when parents bring their child's favorite toy or activity.  This little guy was great with a drum. Sometimes that's the happiest picture we take (especially if they don't love cake...)

Professional photo of a one year old baby playing a toy drum

And even if they don't want to eat the cake, it's always intriguing to them. Sometimes I have to really rush to get a pre-smash picture before they get to work.

Professional portrait of a baby boy playing with birthday cake in Albuquerque

This sweet little boy's mom made one of my favorite cakes ever:

Professional portrait of a one year old baby playing on a slide in Albuquerque

a double sheet cake that he could sit right in. He was so darling and sweet-natured - he totally played along and had a great snack. 

Professional photo of a baby sitting in a big birthday cake

Not every parent wants a cake smash - even if you don't, when your baby turns one year old it's a great time for a professional photo session.

Professional portrait of a vintage baseball baby scene

If you are working with me on the full year of photography, this is the last session that I include in the plan.

Professional portrait of a baby wearing a cowboy hat in a park in Albuquerque

After you've seen everything, we go back through the first 4 sessions and pick your favorite images from each session.  Then I make you a custom 10x20" collage, which is included in your original session fee. These collages are a huge hit, and I love to make them too.

Professional portrait collage of a baby's first year

I have a lot more information about baby photography posted here - check it out!

If you are interested in a baby session, or in a year's photographic journey with me, I have all the information in an online magazine for you to check out. Just fill in your email information and you will receive a link right away!

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