Now Casting: One Family for an Exclusive Golden Hour Portrait Experience

There is something magical about golden hour.

The warm sunlight, the gentle breeze through the tall grass, the laughter of children running through an open field—these are the moments that create the most meaningful family portraits.

Heather Elizabeth Studios is excited to announce an exclusive Golden Field Sunset Family Model Call at beautiful Glenwood Gardens, and we are searching for one special family to help bring this vision to life.

My Vision

This session is designed to capture authentic family connections in a stunning golden field during sunset. The focus will be on genuine moments rather than stiff poses—snuggles, laughter, playful interactions, and the beautiful relationships that make your family unique.

The resulting images will be used for portfolio building, website content, social media, and future marketing materials that showcase our signature outdoor family photography experience.

Who We’re Looking For

We are currently seeking:

• A family with 2–3 children
• Children between 6 months and 10 years old
• Families who love natural, candid photography
• Parents willing to follow wardrobe styling guidance
• Families willing to sign a model release allowing images and behind-the-scenes content to be used for marketing purposes

What the Selected Family Will Receive

As a thank-you for participating, the selected family will receive:

✨ A complimentary one-hour sunset portrait session at Glenwood Gardens

✨ 25 professionally edited high-resolution digital images

✨ A personal print release

This is a wonderful opportunity to experience a luxury family portrait session while helping create beautiful content for Heather Elizabeth Studios.

How to Apply

Applying is easy!

Simply complete the application form and upload a recent photo of your family.

👉 Apply Here

Important Dates

Applications Close: June 5, 2026

Selected Family Notified: June 6, 2026

Only one family will be selected for this exclusive model call opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the session really complimentary?

Yes! The selected family will receive the session and 25 professionally edited digital images at no cost.

Why is this a model call?

The images and behind-the-scenes content from the session will be used by Heather Elizabeth Studios for portfolio display, social media, website content, and marketing materials.

What should we wear?

Wardrobe styling plays an important role in creating the soft, timeless look envisioned for this session. To complement the warm golden tones of the field and sunset light, families should plan to wear neutral, coordinated colors rather than matching outfits.

Think soft creams, ivory, beige, taupe, light khaki, oatmeal, soft blues, muted sage, dusty rose, and other earthy, natural tones. Clothing should feel classic and effortless, with simple silhouettes and minimal logos, graphics, or busy patterns. Flowing dresses, textured fabrics, linen, cotton, knits, and layered pieces photograph beautifully in an outdoor setting.

The goal is to create a cohesive look that allows your family’s connection and personalities to shine while ensuring the images remain timeless for years to come.

Selected families will receive personalized wardrobe guidance, including color palette recommendations and styling suggestions for each family member, to help create a beautifully coordinated final gallery.

What happens if we are not selected?

Families who apply but are not chosen will receive an exclusive 20% discount toward a future family portrait session.

We Can’t Wait to Meet You

If you’ve been dreaming of beautiful family portraits filled with sunshine, connection, and genuine emotion, we’d love to hear from you.

We cannot wait to create something truly special during this magical golden hour experience.

✨ Applications close June 5, 2026.

When this sweet girl’s mom came to me to talk about her 1-year cake smash, she had a great vision for the set; a Cincinnati skyline featuring Godzilla as the baby. So fun!!

I love when clients come to me with super unique ideas for their cake smash session. When Mom booked this session I was over the moon excited about the theme: Godzilla Takes Over Cincinnati. I immediately contacted my favorite bakery, Tres Belle Cakes to create the perfect cake! Then scoured Etsy for the perfect Godzilla outfit to fit the color scheme. Once those items were lined up, I worked with a local artist to sketch the perfect Cincinnati Skyline, comic book style! I love how everything came together!

This sweet girl did not disappoint and kept with the theme. She went straight to destroying the cake like a little Godzilla.

My favorite moment was when she went head first into the cake!

After every smash, we wrap up with a nice warm bubble bath. This tiny Godzilla could not be contained ha! She had the best time splashing and making a giant mess.

If your baby became a toddler quicker than you could imagine and you want to do a cake smash session, let’s go for it! Always happy to customize with your ideas! Book your session here.

Here are some ideas for themes: Pinterest

And here are some recent sessions: Cake Smash Sessions

Step into a world of magic as I capture the enchanting beauty of glitter in every shot. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to add a touch of sparkle to your memories, our glitter photography session promises a unique and mesmerizing experience.

What’s Included:

• a 15 minute session
• All the Glittery goodness
• 5 fully edited, high-resolution digital images

Our glitter photography sessions are available on January 21st & 27th. Book your slot now to secure a spot for a session that promises to turn ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.

As a token of appreciation, the first 5 bookings will enjoy an exclusive 10% off the regular session price. Use code GLITTERMAGIC at checkout to secure this limited-time offer.

Visit our booking site HERE to reserve your glitter photography session today.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to add a sprinkle of magic to your photos. We look forward to creating sparkling memories with you!

Kapow! These photos are the cutest, don’t you think? Check out this fantastic idea with our own Baby Bruce Banner morphing from a sweet one-year-old to Baby Incredible Hulk.

I love it when parents really embrace the fun of the cake smash. This rite of passage from baby to toddler can be bittersweet, to be sure. But it’s also a whole lot of fun to see their personalities emerge!

Mom and dad encouraged me to run wild with ideas. I knew that this particular set would need to both have that nerdy-scientist thing and a bit of Gotham to set the mood. The glasses on him and the green bow tie were the perfect finishing touch.

Some kids would balk at the idea of a bright green cake, but not Baby Bruce! What started out as a shy small and a taste quickly morphed into him getting totally into it. Mom and dad said this was right along with his personality, always curious and adventurous.

Ideas like this are what can personalize your cake smash session.  As it turned out, this was one of my most popular posts on social media.

Then, after all the cake was smeared, eaten, and squished in, it was time for cleanup in our signature bubble bath to end the session. I love this part of the session because, after the sugar high, the water and bubbles are the perfect ending. Some of the sweetest photos come from this part of the session!

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The sky is the limit, so let’s come up with some themes for you soon to be one year old! I love it when my clients can inject something meaningful to their family into the session. I have a ton of cool props at hand, or if you have something specific in mind, I’m happy to source props to make it the perfect end to the best first year. Get it touch to set your Cincinnati Cake Smash session!

Watch Me Grow Sessions Cincinnati Ohio | Watch Miss Eloise Grow 

In the topsy-turvy world that 2020 has become, there’s nothing that can remind you that there are still so many good and simple things like a beautiful little baby born to two loving parents.

Little Miss Eloise may have come into a world that felt a little uncertain, but there’s no doubt this little beauty is here to make life a little sweeter. She is just such a total love, and we had so much fun together during her watch me grow session!

With her creamy skin, big blue eyes, and adorable shock of ginger hair, I knew a lighter colored background would show off all of her best features.

I love when babies give me so many different “looks” during their portrait sessions, and Eloise did not disappoint. Big gummy smiles, intense model-like looks staring directly into the camera, and she also showed me her favorite game, laying on her back and playing with her toes.

That Hair! No Product Needed

And that hair! No product needed, please, Miss Eloise has her own style, and I bet next time I see her those sweet little sprouts will have grown into some lovely locks. The best part about watch me grow sessions is seeing how different babies are in just a few short months!

The best part about my watch me grow sessions is you can customize anywhere from bump to the first year. I have several different plans depending on how many sessions you want, and how many milestones you want to be recorded.

Great outfit choices all around were made here, from sweet little dresses to a custom-monogrammed diaper cover, and let’s talk about that onesie!  What a great way to infuse a little humor into the session!

Miss Eloise, I cannot wait to see you grow. You’re a special little lady, and I think you can take on anything this world has to throw at you.

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The Best Time To Do Sessions For Babies

• Between 3-4 months, when they can smile and hold their head up independently
• 7-8 months, when they are sitting all by themselves with no propping
• 1^St Birthday for the custom cake smash session

Do you have questions about safe socially distanced photo sessions? Don’t hesitate to contact me here & check out this blog post.

Cake Smash Photography in Cincinnati is a total joy. However of all of the sessions I have done over the years, baby Zoe is the happiest and most joyful baby I have ever photographed for a cake smash! We designed a warm and whimsical set with shades of blush and floral cake for her session.  She smiled and laughed the entire time! Take a peek below and you will see she loved the cake! But not only that she loved the bath! Take a look and let me know what you think!

Cake by Tres Belle Cakes
Set design by Me
Balloon arrangement by Me

Did you know Heather Elizabeth Studios in on Instagram?

I would love to have you follow me along!
Follow me @heatherelizabethstudious

Doing Cake Smash Photography for Hyde Park, Indian Hill, and all of Cincinnati’s metro area families is a job that I can’t believe I am so lucky to do.

This little guy’s Star Themed Cake Smash Session was a blast! It is also a reminder of how lucky I am to serve this area.

This little guy dug right into his yellow, white, and blue Tres Bella cake and was no stranger to making a mess.

First, we grabbed a couple of images before we brought his cake in. As you will see he totally hammed it up!

After we brought his cake in he tried to blow out his yellow fondant one-shaped candle. (Don’t worry though, it wasn’t lit!) Next, he tore in!

It was awesome to see the fun he was having. Once he finished his cake we moved our little frosting-covered boy to the bath tub where he had a ball playing with the bubbles and rubber duck.

Between his joy of devouring his cake and the dreamy gold and blue stars in the dangling in the background this Cake Smash Session was wonderful.

Check out his adorable behind the scenes video!

As always a huge thanks go out to my favorite Cincinnati Bakeries, Tres Belle Cakes for creating this beautiful custom cake for us!

Are you interested in a Cake Smash session with Heather Elizabeth Studios?

Heather Elizabeth Studios will now be offering fully styled cake smashes that include the cake smash outfit!  Contact me here for details!

At Heather Elizabeth Studios it is our PASSION to document your child’s life. These years slip away so quickly, which makes capturing these moments so very important.

For your own Cincinnati Cake Smash Photography session contact me today! <3

I recently has a casting call for a Cincinnati Cake Smash Photography Model Session and Georgia was our winner. This little mermaid didn’t love the cake or being messy but we made it happen. I mean who doesn’t love icing?! Baths are always a hit, so eventually we won her over with that! Thank you Susan for letting me borrow your daughter!

Check out this adorable behind the scenes Cincinnati Cake Smash photography session video done by DG Studios!

As always a huge thanks go out to my favorite Cincinnati Bakeries, Tres Belle Cakes for creating this beautiful custom cake for us! The beautiful sequenced mermaid romper is the Minako Romper by Pup and Frank Prop Shop. Check our Pup and Frank Prop Shop on Facebook by clicking here. The pastel purple and sea foam green backdrop was done by Intuitions Backgrounds. Check them out here!

How to book a Cake Smash session with Heather Elizabeth Studios.

Heather Elizabeth Studios will now be offering fully styled cake smashes that include the cake smash outfit!  Contact me here for details!

At Heather Elizabeth Studios it is our PASSION to document your child’s life. These years slip away so quickly, which makes capturing these moments so very important.
For your own Cincinnati Cake Smash Photography session contact me today! <3

 

Happy First Birthday, Brighton!

I had such a wonderful time creating this custom set for Brighton’s Floral & Blush Cake Smash session. I was so excited to finally be able to put my vintage ladder to use for this set. As a cake smash photographer I have become quite the balloon garland expert so I kicked it up a notch for this session and added in the really big balloons this time! Brighton wasted no time dismantling her cake and digging right into her cake. She is a girl after my own heart! Brighton ate more cake than any other baby I have photographed. It was a sight to be seen haha!I think she was a little sad that all the smashing was over. She sure does make the most adorable pouty face, don’t you think? Thank you Cara for trusting me with your daughters first birthday memories. I loved working with you all and hope to see you all again soon <3

Finally, thank you to my favorite Cincinnati Bakeries, Tres Belle Cakes for creating the beautiful custom cakes for us!

Book Your Cake Smash Session Today.

This year Heather Elizabeth Studios will be introducing Milestone Packages to our list of services. A Milestone Package will include a Newborn Photography Session in our Newborn Studio, a Mini Session for 4 months of age, 8 months of age, and a Custom Cake Smash Session in our Cincinnati, Ohio studio. 

At Heather Elizabeth Studios it is our PASSION to document your child’s life. These years slip away so quickly, this makes capturing these moments so very important.

Contact your Cincinnati, Ohio Cake Smash Photographer to schedule your Milestone Session today.

Check out this sweet behind the scenes video of this adorable cake smash!

Cincinnati Documentary Photographer | A Day in the Life Sessions

What are Day in the Life Sessions and why do I need this in my life?!

Easy! Summer is full of exciting adventures, why not have it documented in a beautiful and meaningful way. I have spent the last 18months documenting my family through my 365 project and these images have become some of my favorite images I have of my children. I have been getting a lot of interest for these sessions and am thrilled to be offering them for my clients!

I would love to tag along to your family trip to Kings Island, a day at the pool (hello underwater pictures!), a trip to the strawberry patch such as Stokes Berry Farm, or even just a lazy day at home playing in the backyard, making cookies, and bath time. Whatever it is that you want to remember forever, I want to be there to help you document it. Our children grow up so fast and if you are anything like me you would give anything to freeze that time. Pictures are one we we can do that!

Since these are a brand new offering, I am offering the first 5 people who book a documentary session a 50% discount with the code DOCUMENTUS

Click HERE to book your spot!

Book your Day in the Life Session Today!

Is your family doing something fun this summer that you would love to have documented? As a Cincinnati Documentary Photographer I would love to help! Contact me! I would love to talk about it with you 🙂 Also, don’t forget, since these sessions are new, I am offering the first 5 people who book a documentary session a 50% discount with the code: DOCUMENTUS 

Click HERE to book your spot!