Cake Smash and 1-year milestone photos can be so fun, but they can go terribly wrong sometimes. To avoid tears and cranky toddlers, I created a list of tips to help our session run smoothly.
1. Put my camera lens right in the baby’s face.
-Yep, I have ruined some milestone sessions before. The worst thing to do during a milestone photoshoot is to put my camera close up to the baby’s face right away. Stranger danger is real, and my camera lens is scary to a toddler. If I start the session by placing my lens right close to the child, it can affect the entire session. Therefore, I always start my milestone sessions with the parents and the baby.
2. Yell, Cheer, Clap too much to get the child’s attention.
Trust me, a Whoot Whoot sound, or a boo boo boo sound is just fine. You want the baby to look at the camera, but when parents, myself, and grandparents start yelling at the child, it can be loud and overwhelming. Sometimes, simply watching a child play with a prop or the grass, and documenting normalcy, can create stunning, timeless portraits.
3. Force the child into a basket!
Oh, how much I love a baby in a basket. It’s so cute, but putting a toddler into a little crate, baby bed, or basket is tricky. I always make sure to do this when we have established trust and when Mom and Dad are right there. I also always ask the child if its ok that I pick them up. I need their permission and trust first. If they hate it, we move on. I never force a little toddler to do something they clearly do not want to do.
4. Put the baby in ant piles.
This should be such a given, but my work is in Texas nature. I am always aware of our surroundings, but at the same time, we are in the wilderness. That is why I always bring a blanket and stomp the ground before putting a blanket down. I never place the child into the direct grass unless it’s a well-manicured park with no signs of ants, and I have asked parents’ permission. As a mama of three, I know how much ant bites suck.
5. Expect them to love the cake.
It always depends on the child, and I inform my parents of this well before the session. Most babies have never tried cake before, so the whole experience is brand new. Some babies go all out and destroy the cake, gobble it up, and make a mess. Other babies are curious and have a little taste here and there; it always depends. I suggest that parents sit by their child and enjoy the cake together at first. Other times, I have the parents help with the first taste. We always go with the flow of the session.
As always, if you are looking for an Austin area cake smash photographer, I would love to be considered.
-Malinda Sloan
Austin Lifestyle Photographer
