You will never regret capturing your baby’s milestones, but let’s be real—tired nappers, newfound mobility, and big toddler emotions can quickly throw a wrench in the plans! The great news is that a little bit of preparation goes a long way toward keeping things smooth and fun. This prep guide is packed with my best tips to help you get the absolute most out of every single session!
general rules for all sessions
Plan around naps: Schedule your session immediately following your baby’s primary morning nap. A well-rested baby is a happy baby!
Feed before you leave: Feed baby right before heading out so they arrive with a full tummy and maximum energy.
Keep Outfits Comfortable: Choose clothes that allow baby to move, sit, and crawl naturally without needing constant adjustment.
6 month milestone
Wait for sturdy sitting: Ensure baby can sit unassisted for at least a few seconds without tipping over. If they are still a bit wobbly, let me know so I can adjust my setup accordingly!
Thigh rolls & bare skin: Simple diaper covers, overalls, or simple knits work best here. Don't hide those adorable baby rolls under bulky clothing!
Teething prep: 6-month-olds put everything in their mouth and drool constantly. Pack 2–3 soft bibs to keep their outfit dry on the car ride over, and bring a clean teething toy.
9 month milestone
Expect high motion: At 9 months, babies rarely stay in one spot. Don't stress if they keep crawling away from the setup—candid exploration makes for the best photos!
Mind the footwear: Since baby will likely pull themselves up on props, bare feet or soft-soled leather moccasins look best and prevent slipping.
Interactive toys: Simple, timeless wooden toys, stacking rings, or a favorite board book are great items to pack if you want to include familiar items from home.
one year milestone + cake smash
These are some of my FAVORITE sessions!! We'll begin by snapping studio-style and lifestyle portraits, and we'll save the cake smash for the end.
Bring your own cake: Plan on bringing a frosted cupcake, 4-inch, or 6-inch cake to your session with you. If you'd rather let me take care of the birthday treat, I can provide a 6-inch cake for a $30 fee.
Practice at home first: If baby has never tasted frosting or felt squishy textures, give them a cupcake a few days prior! Many babies hate the texture of icing if it's a total surprise.
Bring extra snacks: Bring some puffs, yogurt melts, or another quick, mess-free snack. If your little one turns out to be totally unimpressed by the cake, we can easily tuck these tiny treats right into the icing—effectively "faking" a successful cake smash without any meltdowns!
Cake tips: Bring a small 4-inch or 6-inch smash cake with whipped or meringue icing (buttercream can get too hard when chilled). Avoid chocolate or dark red frosting to keep things looking clean on camera.
Bring a change of clothing: Pack a change of clothes for baby (and possibly for you, too- icing gets everywhere!)
bonus: bubble bath
We always wrap up studio cake smashes with some of the absolute cutest photos in the whole world: a splashy bubble bath in the sink! It’s the ultimate win-win- your little one gets squeaky clean after an honorable fight with their birthday cake, and you get pure, joyful moments you'll treasure forever.
I'll provide all of the bathing materials, you bring a clean diaper and a change of clothes for the drive home!
Extra tips:
- If you'd like to have cake smash pictures to display at baby's first birthday party, I recommend taking photos when baby is 10 1/2 - 11 months old. This should give you enough time to order prints before the big party!
- If you're doing a cake smash, PLEASE bring a few of your baby's favorite snacks! Snacks allow me to "fake" a cake smash in case baby doesn't care for icing (which is common).
- I recommend sticking to yellow or vanilla cake- chocolate will create 'muddy' smears, which isn't aesthetically pleasing and could ruin baby's clothing.
