When this sweet little man’s mom came to me to talk about his 1-year cake smash, she had a great vision for the set; simple balloons with die-cut baby sharks. Adorable!
So, as life would have it, quarantine happened, and his session got rescheduled and rescheduled again.
I’m so grateful for clients who understood and rolled with it because by the time we did his session, he was 14 months old. If there’s anything we’ve learned that time is just time, and we’re all a little bit more forgiving now, aren’t we?
I’m in love with his little jeans and chubby belly! Keeping the outfits super simple keeps the focus on the faces and the set and brings out all those baby features that will soon fade away as they become toddlers.
This balloon set would work with any kind of theme! All you need to do is tell me your colors, and I can design something exactly for you and your birthday baby.
And as usual, Tres Belle Cakes knocked it out of the park with the Baby Shark cake. The colors match absolutely perfectly with the theme.
These cakes are so whimsical and the perfect size for cake smash sessions. They are definitely kid-tested and approved!
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.
I love collaborating with parents on cake smash photography. From Hyde Park to Indian Hill we have families all over Cincinnati. It’s so fun to hear their ideas and to begin to piece together the items in the studio we can use, and then, of course, it’s also fun to go out and buy some new props!
For this sweet girl’s birthday cake smash session, her mom had dreams of a big winter wonderland scene, full of things that felt indulgent and sparkly.
She chose the most adorable puffy taffeta skirt, which added to the theme; it looked like it was made out of cotton candy!
With the lighted trees, gold and platinum accents, and the cascade of gold beads, we got that beautiful, soft sparkly look she wanted.
Now, some kids love the cake, and it’s a blast to see them dig in. Others are a little more cautious, and it’s so funny to me that you can’t always predict which way they will go!
She had a few dainty tastes, showing off those big blue eyes of hers, and then she was like, “I’m done.”
But once again, saving the day… the bubble bath! Then we started seeing those bright smiles.
And that pink turban! Can you even with it? It’s little touches like this that can make the photos even more memorable.
Let’s work together to create the perfect cake smash scene for your baby! It doesn’t matter if you know exactly what you want or you need some guidance; I’m here to help make the magic happen.
What to wear in photographs is one of the most popular questions I get before a session. The days of being all “matchy-matchy” are over, and I always encourage people to embrace their unique individuality in their photos.
Here are the top 10 tips for wardrobe and accessories for your photos.
Stick to primary colors or their close version. Flouresecnts cast weird colors on faces and tend to come and go in trends.
If we are taking photos in a green area such as a park, don’t wear green clothing. Wearing it as an accent color is fine, though!
Start with one outfit you like and build around it for everyone else.
Wear what feels good! Avoid overly fussy clothes you or your kids aren’t comfortable in. That goes for shoes, too.
Layering adds dimension and provides a different look. Think hats, scarves, cardigans, and statement jewlery.
Wear clothes that fit well. Baggy, saggy clothes do not make you look slimmer!
Coordination, not matching. Go ahead and mix and match patterns too, as long as they are in the same color palette
Keep it simple for newborn session. Grey, black white, is great because it doesn’t overpower the baby’s beauty and simplicity.
Dress for the weather and be flexible. You know that the weather is changeable here, so have a plan B (or layer!)
Dress for the scene. A suit or a fussy dress on a little kid in a forest setting will look weird, and your personality won’t come through.
The point of your photo session is that the photos represent you and your family as you are right now. We want you to look and feel fabulous and comfortable because that will shine through in the photographs.
Keep your wardrobe as simple as possible, and be sure to stress to everyone involved in the photos that these session are going to be fun!
One of the best parts of living in Cincinnati is that we get four seasons to take photos in! I love every season for different reasons, mostly because of the variety we can take advantage of.
Summer Fun Sessions
Outdoor sessions in the summer are one of my favorites because the longer days mean that time seems to slow down a little bit. Is there anything better than that perfect summer evening near sunset when it’s warm enough to not even need a light sweater?
It’s the perfect time for family photos because the kids are off school, and we can play a little bit along with taking photos. There’s a ton of options to do the photos from your own backyard to one of our many parks; ask me and I’m happy to give you suggestions on locations!
All Outdoor Child and Family sessions include 60-90 minutes of photography and 25 digitally retouched images. You can feel that slight nip of fall in the air in the mornings now, so if you want summer-like photos then schedule ASAP here!
Fall Minis Are Coming!
Bright and bold sunflower minis at Cottel Park, fall mini sessions at French Park and at Ault Park are some of our favorite locations. Each offers a different look and has different backdrops that you will love.
These sessions are a favorite because they are quick and easy. You’ll get 8 digitally retouched images to freshen up your family portfolio to print and display those you love most.
Stay tuned because we’ve got more locations coming soon, including cherry blossom minis and even an outdoor winter option. Learn more about minis
One-Year-Old Cake Smashes
No matter when your little one turns one, cake smash sessions in the studio are great fun. These themed sessions are custom-designed for you! We share a Pinterest board and it’s so much fun to see the vision come to life!
These sessions include a custom-designed birthday cake, balloons, and decorations to match. We finish the session with a warm bubble bath, which makes for adorable photos, and a clean kid to take home!
No matter what kind of session you schedule, indoors or out, please know that the studio is practicing the safest practices due to COVID-19. If you’d like to discuss your session, please reach out and I will be happy to explain how your session will be conducted safely!
Oh, how I love photographing newborns. One of the saddest things to me was thinking about all those sweet babies that I wasn’t able to photograph during the shutdown! Luckily now, with careful sanitation and precautions, I’m back to photographing newborns!
At the studio, I take your health very seriously, and that’s especially elevated when it comes to newborns. So while I might not be able to do as much baby snuggling as I used to, by wearing a mask and getting mom and dad in on the posing, it’s safe to have families back in and get those special photos.
To get those squishy, curly, special photos of newborns, it’s best to have them done within the first two weeks of birth. Before baby starts stretching out and finding the world and when they are still sleepy and less alert.
Parents and Siblings
Photos can be done just of the baby, but I always encourage parents and siblings to get in on the fun for a few photos to commemorate this amazing time when you’ve added on to the family!
I have many different headbands and wraps for babies in the studio. So, you don’t have to bring anything to the session! We can work together to choose the right aesthetic for the photos depending on where you want to hang them.
Of course, if you have something special that was a gift, or that you bought bring it along. All of the props and wraps are fully sanitized between each session.
The studio is kept at a very warm and cozy temp for babies, so they don’t get chilled. However, adults may want to think about wearing layers, so you don’t get too overheated!
The goal is always safety first when it comes to newborns, so any of the poses you see here are done with parents just out of camera frame.
If you’re expecting or adding on to your family, I’d love to talk to you more about newborn sessions. All the sessions include time and talent and digital files, depending on the session that you book.
More information can be found here about the sessions, or call me at (513) 659-5840.
For many families, having portraits done yearly is a tradition that helps them mark time and revel in the growth of their family.
Family photos are a reminder of what is really important in your life. There has been no time in recent history that it’s been clearer than after spending months sheltering in place with the COVID-19 pandemic; family is everything.
However, it can be unclear how to many people how family photos can be safely taken as we begin to reopen. Since there is no vaccine or cure at this time, it’s important that everyone involved with the process of having a family photo made adheres to the most recent safety standards.
If you’re unsure of where to start, here are some things you can talk about with your photographer and a few things you can expect.
Ask About Safety Measures in Studio Settings
If your photographer works out of a brick and mortar studio, ask them to detail their process of cleaning and sanitizing, as well as how they are able to pose you while maintaining a safe distance.
Safety Precautions You May See:
The photographer Wearing masks and/or gloves during the session
Taking temperatures of family members
Only allowing family members who live together in the studio
Showing how to pose by having you mirror them
Cleaning and sanitizing all equipment between sessions
Limiting sessions to one or a few a day
Providing hand sanitizer
Asking clients to remove shoes
For me and my studio, I’m only accepting 2 studio sessions per day so I have enough time to clean and sterilize the studio between sessions. Newborn sessions will always be the first session of the day. All toys and products have also been removed from my space, and snacks will no longer be provided. All newborn wraps and baby outfits will be sanitized and cleaned before any session as well.
Like many photographers, I’m also only allowing immediate family into the studio after a hands-free temperature check with a touch-free thermometer. I also ask that shoes are left at the door upon entry.
I will also be wearing a mask while families are in the studio as well as washing my hands and using hand sanitizer. I’ll also be changing my clothes upon entry to the studio and when I leave before entering my home, and showering immediately before I leave my home and after sessions.
For clients coming into my studio, I’m requesting that outside items from home be kept to a minimum.
In the event of an illness, I’m asking that anyone who was unwell be fever-free for 48 hours before rescheduling their session.
Consider an Outdoor Family Portrait Sessions In More Remote Locations
Cincinnati summers can be hot, but I’m working with my clients to try and schedule as many outdoor family portrait sessions as possible.
Outdoor photo sessions allow for more air circulation and may allow for more social distancing measures. Look for photographers who know of locations that are off the beaten path rather than locations that may be crowded like public parks and beaches.
Some photographers may even have land outside their studio that they use for outdoor photos. Or they may be willing to come to your home to do outdoor photos in your yard.
I personally have a list of secluded locations that I love photographing at that my clients have been loving this season!
How Family Photos Happen in the Time of COVID-19
Your photographer should be able to give you an explanation of what you can expect from them in terms of posing, directing, and the viewing of the photos after the session.
They may have to stop more often to give feedback on posing rather than adjusting you themselves. This distancing is especially important when dealing with newborns, very young children, or anyone with ongoing health issues.
Things You Can Do To Stay Safe During Family Photos
It’s important to discuss with your family how the session is going to go, and what they need to do to stay safe. This is especially important with small children who may not understand social distancing boundaries.
Carry hand sanitizer with you
Wear masks whenever you are not being photographed
Ask that the photographer wears a mask at all times
If at a studio setting, have everyone wash their hands upon arrival
No hugging or handshakes with the photographer
Do not linger after the session
When arriving home, change clothes and shower
Limit contact as possible for two weeks leading up to your session
With a little bit of coordination, there’s a lot you can do to make a family portrait session as safe as possible.
Along with following a lot of the guidelines I’ve listed here, I’m personally working with each and every one of my clients to make sure they not only have an enjoyable experience, but a safe one as well.
Rather than letting this time pass you by because it is a hard time in history, a celebration of your family with a portrait session can be so meaningful to everyone.
Interested in a safe socially distance family session?
Cake and baby giggles, could there be anything better? Simply Cake Smashes are one of my very favorite sessions to do because the personality of the photos is as individual as the newly turned one-year-old.
The focus is on the fun, which is why I keep these sweet sessions simple and timeless. A white backdrop and a giant cupcake set the scene for baby Bentley’s cake smash, which went perfectly with his little Henley shirt and his gray overalls.
Most people think that kids will go nuts and dig right in, but it is surprising. Even if they love sweets, they can fool you! It’s so funny to see the progression on Bentley’s face, from suspicious, to unsure, to pure delight!
Whatever your child does is fine! These funny faces and squishy fingers and toes in the cake are part of the fun. Anything goes, from cake on the nose to cake in the hair. We will capture it all!
Most people do the cake smash session for the one-year birthday, but cake smash sessions can be done until about the 15 months with success.
After the session, we clean it all up with a fun sudsy bath, and that’s when the giggles usually begin! All those sweet little baby rolls and dimples will be gone before you know it, so we capture all of that with this fun bubble bath.
Simply Cake Smash Sessions are done here in our cozy studio in Norwood and all you have to do is bring a willing birthday boy or girl. We keep the studio warm for baby’s comfort, and you don’t have to do any cleanup!
Details
Here are the session details for your personalized Simply Cake Smash Session
Set up includes a plain white backdrop and giant cupcake
Sessions are appropriate for children ages one-year-old to 15 months
Siblings can be added to the session for an additional cost. Please indicate and pay at the time of booking, so we are prepared for additional subjects.
You’ll receive 15 fully edited digital photos in a private gallery available for immediate download
Additional photos beyond the 15 included are available for purchase
There’s nothing like the combination of Christmas and children. It’s nothing short of magical seeing the world through their eyes at that time of the year. Do you remember when you first met Santa?
Magical Sets
When I dream up what these sessions will be like I always try to make sure everything is perfect, so the experience is incredible for the kids. I approach the scene with a different look every year to make it fun and fresh. I consider every single prop and placement of the decorations.
For the kids, this is more than a photo session! They get cookies and a gift from the jolly old elf himself! I know that for many of them, this is going to be their first memory of meeting Santa and that’s really special to me.
Cozy in their jammies or dressed in their Christmas best, they get to sit with Santa and talk about their year, what Christmas means to them, and of course, what they hope will be left under the tree.
This is so much fun for the kids and so peaceful and wonderous. Not at all like standing in a line in the mall and being put in a stranger’s lap!
Christmas Storybooks
This was the first year that I made the Christmas Storybooks, and they were a huge hit! I’ll definitely be doing those again because everyone thought they made the perfect Christmas present.
This year, I wanted a nighttime scene to give a sense of quiet wonder for the sessions. Soft lamplight, muted tones, and a sense of Silent Night are what I was thinking.
After the sessions, I wanted that “twinkly Christmas feeling,” so special editing on the Christmas tree, bags and lamps were applied. I think you can feel the magic in these photos!
These sessions were such a joy to photograph, and I love the cuddles and the laughter. It is so gratifying to see my clients share their storybook with their loved ones. Don’t miss this event next year!
So, are you humming it yet? “Baby Shark, doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo”! Because, in this case, we need to change the name to “Frankie Shark” for this one-year-old cake smash session!
This little man Frankie and his parents moved to Cincinnati not long after his first birthday. I was so happy to get to know them and use this under the sea theme!
The backdrop is decorated with fun and whimsical accents, so I knew that I wanted bold colors to make it pop and make it fun and memorable. To complete the baby shark theme, I got the cutouts of the sharks in multiple colors on Etsy.
For the cake, you cannot go wrong with Tres Belle Cakes! This little woman-owned shop and their custom cakes for cake smashes are the absolute best. I love that they make the cakes easy to grab for little hands and will work with any kinds of allergies.
They really outdid themselves with this one. The sea creatures were just adorable and fit perfectly with the theme and Frankie’s little outfit. Isn’t that bow tie the best?!
With kids Frankie’s age, I always try to get a few portraits of just them before we get into the goodies, because sometimes it takes a bit to warm them up.
But not Frankie! He was all smiles from the moment the session started so we were able to get some portraits of him showcasing his new teeth and his sparkling blue eyes.
Once we got into the yummy cake part of the session mom, dad, and I were cracking up at his joy and all of his expressions. This guy has personality and he totally enjoyed every bite of his cake. Frankie was not afraid to dig right in with both hands!
After the sugar rush started to subside, we moved into scrub-a-dub-dub, Frankie in the tub and captured some of the cutest photos. I love capturing those expressions, and those crazy bathtub cowlicks, and those wet baby lashes.
Thanks for sharing your birthday cake with us, Frankie!
Cincinnati, Ohio Santa Sessions | Cincinnati Family Photographer
*2017 Edition*
I love being a Cincinnati Family Photographer. Once of the big reasons is because every year, I get to host tons of Cincinnati families in my Norwood studio for my annual Santa Sessions! This year my best year yet! So many cute kids dressed in their coordinating pajamas.
This year I went with a classic Christmas theme for the sets. I used lots of dark reds and buffalo check patterns to coordinate with Santa’s dark red suit. Target’s Christmas line this year was on point for all my props!
Santa Session day is always one of my favorite days of the year! If you look below you will see why 🙂 If you’d like to be the first to know when signups are announced for 2018 Santa Sessions, sign up for my newsletter HERE
You don’t have to wait for the holiday’s to book your family session with me. Winter is a great time to update your family photos in my cozy studio near Rookwood.
Book your session with your Cincinnati Family Photographer today!
At Heather Elizabeth Studios it is our PASSION to document your family. Capturing these moments so very important! These years slip away so quickly. Contact your Cincinnati Family Photographer to schedule your Family Session today.
