brynlee + smash cake session

OMG! This was such a fun session. The star of the shoot is my sweet niece and she turns one in a few weeks! I cannot believe it.

Preparing for this photo session was exciting. When the weather is so unpredictable these days, we had to turn to an indoor photo session. Relying on natural lighting, I had to get a few items to ensure this session would be perfect. Hello Amazon!

I first decided to go with the Issuntex white backdrop. The material is very soft and is not see through.. which makes for a comfy & better option. I went with the 6x9 ft size and only $14.99 (free shipping with Prime).

To create a studio feel, I then purchased the Emart Photo Studio 10ft Adjustable Background Stand. This kit came with 4 clips and bags for ease of transport. For use in sessions, plan for about 5-7 minutes for set-up and then break down at the end. It was super easy to handle and was very stable during the session. The price for this item is $36.99 and includes free shipping (well worth that price, planning for high ROI).

Being able to have a mobile "studio" will also help increase the amount of sessions I can do! All you need is some natural light and an additional light reflector (white poster board will do).

Ok, to be honest, sessions with small children can be difficult so you MUST prepare. Time your session with their feeding times. It worked well for Brynlee to do this session right after she had a bottle, because we knew she would be in the best mood :) Also, be sure to give some responsibilities to the parents or grandparents. Make them stand behind you and make sure their outfit or props are situated correctly, so you have time to snap.

Also, be sure to have a cake that flows well with the others props and theme of the shoot! Take pictures of the cake with the backdrop before you add in the child. Pretty sure we had the CUTEST cake for this session. Natalie is located near Columbia, SC.. check her out!!

Before the session I tested out how she handles additional props, like balloons and bubbles. She was a little unsure about balloons, so I decided to not do any shots with her directly holding or playing with balloons. Instead, I saw she enjoyed bubbles and was SO happy about them... so, bubbles it was!!

I also did some research and learned that a cute and fun way to "clean up" after a smash cake session was to do a cute bubble bath. While I was photographing the smash session, I had someone prepare and fill the galvanized tub with warm water so it wasn't too hot or cold when she got in it. I am SO. GLAD. we did this. Honestly, these turned out to be some of my favorite images ever and I definitely want to do more.

Finally, depending on the size of the room you have to deal with and different limitations, you may want to use a step ladder to ensure you get those stunning shots to frame your subject from above. Have a rattle or some sort of toy to get the subjects attention above.

Okay..... let's get to the good part now! I really enjoyed this session and I just want to do all the smash cake sessions from now on! Here are some of my favorites below:

I was definitely nervous before this session, but I am so happy with how these turned out. Happy Birthday my sweet Brynlee Hope!!