Celebrate.
The Heidi Hope baby portrait session is relaxed and fun. The first birthday sessions are a blast! First birthday portrait sessions are a progression of traditional 12 months portraits, candid shots of your child playing, and then topped off with the ultimate cake smash! Clients love using these photos for custom first birthday invitations, or thank you cards for 1st birthday gifts.
When you arrive to the studio Heidi will spend a few minutes getting to know your baby. Heidi likes to give people, especially children, plenty of time to warm up to her and get used to the camera. During baby portrait sessions Heidi will take a mixture of formal and candid shots. Heidi captures all of the little details. Sessions are spontaneous, relaxed, and fun! Many clients tell us that they have fond memories of the session itself. The first portraits she takes will be some loosely posed portraits. Heidi might try to pose your baby on their tummy, sitting up, pushing up, or cruising along the table. Next, she will begin to take candid shots. You all will sing, laugh, and tell jokes, all the while Heidi quietly captures those REAL smiles. It is helpful to have favorite toys and snacks on hand to keep baby happy in front of the camera. At the end of the session comes the main event… the CAKE! We roll out paper or you head outdoors and Heidi captures baby tasting a cake that Sweet Indulgence has designed just for the session. The results are hysterical! Please email heidi@heidihope.com or call with any special requests for your cake design. The design can match anything you would like… perhaps your party theme or nursery colors!
Getting Ready
Baby sessions are always led by the baby. Always try to schedule baby sessions during the time of day when they are well rested and happiest. Try to avoid times of stress such as doctors appointments, travel, or a parent returning to work. You must reschedule if baby is sick. I allow baby sessions to cancel 24 hours in advance without losing your session fee. In the interest of protecting the high number of babies and newborns I see, sick children are never allowed in the studio.
Babies are by far the easiest to dress mostly because they look adorable in anything! Many of the best baby portraits are with naked babies and a simple prop. In addition to being so adorable with no clothes at all, during their own sessions, babies don’t have to coordinate with anyone. She can wear her funky hot pink tutu and cowboy boots. He can wear his superhero cape. Individual shots give you a chance to really capture your baby’s personality.
Props
You all know Heidi’s a prop addict. Heidi loves finding fun new ways to photograph babies! Or course we have plenty to choose from at the studio, so you will have fun browsing around before your session. Feel free to bring your own props as well! Halloween costume, Christmas stocking, favorite teddy bear, it can all be adorable! What are your baby’s favorite things? Is there a special blanket, toy, book, chair, cardboard box, car keys, cell phone? What does your child enjoy? The best choice of props for a photograph are ones that portray your baby’s personality and that your baby is fond of. Keeping baby happy in front of the camera is always top priority so having a bag of tricks is always helpful. To make the portrait have a timeless look consider having the prop match the color and style of the clothing you choose. Things like hats and scarfs make adorable props as well.
Clothing
A baby’s first birthday session has a few wardrobe changes but I would recommend at least 2 different outfits. You could choose a more formal outfit for the traditional shots, something fun to show off their personality, and then something for the cake smash. Remember for the cake smash they will be getting messy so we don’t want the outfit they will be wearing to their party! Some cute ideas: a first birthday crown or hat, nothing but a diaper cover, 1st birthday onesie (check out local baby stores and they are sure to have them!), rolled up jeans with no shirt, just a diaper.Without the concern of clashing or competing patterns that exists in a family shot, the possibilities are limitless for baby’s first birthday! Break out baby’s clothes and toys that are most fun and let’s capture something bold, memorable, and no-holds bar fun!
no comments