Capturing babies as they turn one with fun Birthday Milestone Smash sessions are some of my favorite sessions here at Lin Ellen Studios! Parents love to have these images to celebrate this important milestone birthday. What better way than to pop into my Vineland, NJ portrait studio for a Smash Session??!? I also have locations around South Jersey that are beautiful for an outdoor session. It’s wonderful though, to have studio space to offer my clients in the event that weather is not cooperating. It really saves on the challenges of rescheduling and trying to get images done in time for birthday card invitations!
These sessions move fairly fast as babies this age are moving! Parents, wear your sneakers as you will be getting your workout.
I always capture a few studio portraits first. Parents are welcome to bring an outfit for baby, or I have selections in the studio wardrobe to choose from as well. I have a variety of props that I incorporate, depending on how mobile baby is. Some are crawling and others are running!! We are just ready for anything.
Then, its CAKE TIME!! I provide a session-coordinated cake for your session. It is loads of fun capturing those first ventures into eating a cake, usually for the first time! I like to give babies some quiet space to explore this new taste and texture. Great portraits! Some babies barely touch the cake and don’t want messy fingers, others dive in. You just never know.
And, keep in mind, cake is not the only option!! I can do fruit, donuts, or other favorite foods! I’d love to work with you to create a session just for your little one!
My Delicious Smash and Splash option includes a birthday theme and coordinated cake and outfit. I also include a bath Splash to wrap up Baby’s Cake Smash. I’ve not found a little one yet that doesn’t love their bath. They get a few minutes of play, we capture loads of fun images of baby playing, and parents get a clean baby all bundled up in a towel afterward. Win – Win 🙂
I offer two Smash options for baby’s first birthday. A Simple Smash based on color and a Delicious Smash Splash includes a theme and splash. All my Smash Session include a cake. I find it can be a challenge for parents to get baby and a cake to the studio. However, parents are welcome to bring their own cake if desired or baby has food sensitivities.
We can also add on a mini family session! How can you miss those moments with your children?? They pass you by so quickly. While I love a beautiful studio shoot, I have loads of South Jersey spots all picked out if you want an outdoor session for your little one!
If you did your Newborn and/or Sitter sessions with me, I love to coordinate colors or even props to show how baby has grown! Just look at this cutie from one of my early newborn sessions! Her parents invested in and Heirloom Collection for her Newborn portraits, Little Sit Session and Cake Smash & Splash session with me. It means the world to capture these images for them.
Just a few of the many Cake Smash I’ve created. If you choose an upgraded cake smash that includes a theme, this list will get you started on ideas! If you have specific ideas for your theme, the earlier we plan, the more time we have to create an amazing Cake Smash set. So give me a call to discuss EARLY!! I love to created customized themes for my Delicious Smash & Splash clients.
| Mermaid / Under the Sea | Nautical | Pink Lemonade | Bee Happy/Busy Bee | Construction | Space |
| Lumberjack/Nature Lover/Camping | Hungry Caterpillar | Rainbow | Sweets / Dessert | Boho | Pasta |
| First Trip Around the Sun / You are my Sunshine | Baby Shark | Dinosaur | Secret Garden/Floral | Hot Air Balloons/Airplane | Wild One |
| Mr/Ms Onederful | Royal Affair | Fiesta | Tea Party | Toy Story | Pumpkin Pie |
| Princess/Prince | Lavender Floral | Red & Blue | Blue & White | All White / Minimal | Jungle |
| Beach Party | Sports | Cultural sets | You are My Sunshine | Fruit | Coachella |
| Disney / Sesame / Mickey / Pooh Care Bear | One Happy Dude | Farm | Super Hero | Some Bunny is One | Racing |
| Knights & Dragons | Teddy Bear Picnic | Surf’s Up | Twinkle Little Star | Big Top Circus | Up |
A few tips to ensure the session runs smoothly.
Have baby try a cupcake in the week prior to the session. Let them eat it with their hands.
Parents, you will get messy!! Don’t wear your fancy clothes. And it might even help to have a shirt to change into if you get covered in icing. I’m typically man-ing the camera, and parents are baby wrangling. So be ready. Even a second set of hands can help. One to baby wrangle and one to turn on the tunes.
During the session, let baby explore a bit. We can capture a wide variety of expressions. I find too much calling for baby’s attention can overwhelm them quickly. So we take it slow. We also put on some of baby’s favorite tunes. And yes, we all will be dancing and singing. NO ONE wants to hear me sing, but there you have it! BABY SHARK, Doo Doo Doo Doo…….
And don’t get too caught up in capturing a smile in every image. I LOVE a serious baby face.
Contact me, Lin@LinEllenStudios.com to talk about your baby’s First Milestone Session with a Simple Smash or a Delicious Smash & Splash Session today. I would love to capture these memorable portraits for you!