You did it! You have survived the first year with your little one, and it is time to celebrate! I love first birthday portraits because you can see your little one's personality developing. I create custom sets for my smash and splash sessions, and I adore taking your ideas and making them come to life.
Just like your newborn session, a little prep goes into getting ready for your smash and splash. And I have created this guide to help you be prepared, which will help us have a successful session.
1. Studio Play Date. By the time your little one is turning one, most have a little bit of stranger danger. Even if it isn't the first time they have met me, I recommend a studio play date. New places are overwhelming for little ones. And when we want them to perform, it is best to have them be comfortable in the studio. Bring your little one to the studio, hang out, chat and let your them explore. This way, they should be more comfortable when they come in for the big day.
3. Cake. Keep it simple. This way, the cake doesn't distract from your baby. A professional cake will look best. Avoid fondant; it can be challenging for babies to dig into. Chocolate cake and icing, while delicious, do not look so great when smooshed all over your child. I love naked cakes for portrait sessions; they can be decorated with your baby's favorite fruit, are easy to eat, and are yummy.
It is a good idea to have a practice run with a cake. Not all babies are used to playing with their food, and some don't like getting their hands messy. Giving your little ones a chance to get dirty, get used to eating food off their hands, and have one-on-one encouragement to have fun this way can make it easier for them to make a mess in the studio.
Not all babies love cake. If your practice smash doesn't go so well, we can always switch to something your baby loves. Spaghetti, tacos, pizza, watermelon...it's all cute when they dive in and get messy.
4. Timing is crucial for this session. Healthy, happy, and not too hungry is what we are going for. And timing-wise, this is different for every baby. Most are content in the morning. Think about when you get the best smiles from your little one, and let's schedule your session at that time. If this time can change based on their nap, let me know. I am happy to be flexible.
5. Add water and their favorite snack to the diaper bag. Cake has a lot of sugar that our littles aren't used to, so having water to wash it down in their favorite cup/water bottle is helpful. I have found that sometimes babies are hesitant to reach for a cake. Taking a small snack, they are familiar with and adding it to the back of the cake can help encourage them to make that first contact.
6. Bring a towel and a bubble bath. The last part of the session is the splash portion. Almost all babies love this part. With many babies having skin sensitivity or allergies, I prefer you bring your bubble bath and bath towel.
I recommend hiring a professional (me!) to capture this milestone for you. This way you can be present to enjoy and honor this special memory. Special sets take time to create, so don't hesitate to call, text or email. Let's start planning your baby's first birthday!
Cheers!
Sara
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