
BIRTHDAY & MILESTONE
My best tips for your session.




CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations! Your little one is celebrating a milestone, maybe it's 6 months old, the big ONE, or beyond! Milestone and birthday sessions can be captured in the studio or outdoors! Studio sessions are best suited for kiddos up to 5 years old. For children 6 and older, I recommend an outdoor portrait session. For more information about outdoor portrait sessions please visit Portraiture Investment.
SCHEDULING YOUR SESSION:
2-3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THEIR ACTUAL BIRTHDAY OR MILESTONE.
If you would like to use your images and prints for an invitation, announcement or for decoration at a party or event, I recommend holding your session 2-3 weeks ahead of time. This will give you plenty of time to choose your favorite images and process your print order.
AVAILABILITY.
My weekend session availability is limited due to my wedding and mini session photography schedule. Studio sessions are available Monday-Friday.
LET'S WORK AROUND NAP.
When scheduling your session, please let me know if your little one has a particular nap schedule, we certainly don't want to mess with that, it is sacred! Happy faces need their rest!
PREPARING FOR YOUR SESSION:
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
The only thing you really have to provide other then your sweet kiddos, is the outfit(s) he/she will wear. Please send me pictures of the outfit(s) prior to your session, so I have time to design and coordinate your look(s). All milestone and birthday sessions come with backgrounds and props. Birthday sessions come with coordinating balloons and a cake and topper or cupcake & topper. Please see Milestone and Birthday Investment for more details. I also suggest bringing your child's favorite toy or anything that might grab their attention! Feel free to have their favorite songs ready to go on a playlist, you might not want to hear me sing!
WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD WEAR?
If you have a vision and have already selected an outfit(s), WONDERFUL! If not, no worries at all! Here are my best tips! I always love a "simple dimple" look, a plain background and minimal props, so the full focus is on your precious baby! For boys, I recommend jeans or overalls with no shirt, or a simple solid romper. For girls, I suggest a clean and simple romper, or body suit. If you go with a dress, make sure you have a diaper cover or bloomers. Next, if you want to get a little more themed, coordinate with the party colors or design, chose a topic they are really into like dinosaurs, princesses, rainbows, trucks, or animals. Every session is customized, so share your vision or ask for inspiration! I am here to help. If you are unsure about a particular idea or outfit, let me know, send me the link and I would be happy to make recommendations.
PLAN TO BE A LITTLE TOASTY...AND TO GET A LITTLE MESSY.
In order to keep your sweet kiddo comfy, the studio will be warm, they will be very comfortable...even if the rest of us are sweating! Keep this in mind when selecting your wardrobe. Sometimes birthday baby's like to share their frosting fingers and faces with mom and dad, so be prepared for a sticky hug and kiss! Seriously, you might want to pull that hair back and toss and extra shirt in your bag!
THE DAY OF IN THE STUDIO:
FEEL FREE TO CHANGE WHEN YOU ARRIVE.
I completely understand the stress of putting your kiddos in "the outfit" and by the time you have reached your destination, it's covered in drool, Goldfish crumbs, or for the love, a pouch that was squeezed too hard! We will have plenty of time for you to change your little one when you arrive.
SNACKS & TREATS....A.K.A. MOTIVATION.
I will have plenty of bottled water and snacks in the studio for you and your family. I will also have treats as motivation for your toddlers if you need it! Usually, the cupcake is motivation enough LOL! You are of course welcome to bring anything you like! For one year olds, I often find sticking their favorite snack like Cheerios, puffs or Goldfish on the backside of the cake signals " it's ok to eat me"!
AND NOW WE HAVE A FROSTING MESS...CLEAN-UP TIME.
If you are having multiple looks, we will do those first and finish with the cake or cupcake, since it gets pretty messy! Don’t worry, I have everything to clean up your sweet birthday kiddo, including towels, a bag for your sticky outfit, a bathtub and soap. We use Bert’s Bee’s Baby Shampoo, if you prefer another soap, please bring it with you.
FOLLOWING YOUR SESSION:
SNEAK PEEK WITHIN 24 HOURS.
Within 24 hours of your session you will see a sneak peek of your session on Instagram and Facebook (with your permission, of course).
GALLERY DELIVERY.
Your full gallery of proofs will be delivered within one week of your session. You will receive a link to your private online gallery via email and will have the opportunity to choose your favorites and select your images for printing. I will also provide a sharable link, so go ahead and let everyone enjoy the cuteness!