Let's face it. We all love cake. And what can be more fun than watching your birthday boy/girl get down and dirty with their birthday cake. Check out these funny photos of Cake Smash sessions. 

Let your personality shine!
It’s so important that people don’t stick to the traditional thing of all wearing one color. Just like your family, what everyone wears should be diverse. Show your personality through your outfits. These are photos you will have for years so when you look back at them make sure your outfits fit the way your family is & be true to you!

Know your location 
Based off where you will be taking photos, your outfits should work with with your location. Pick your scene and than choose your outfits. Make sure your outfit is comfortable for your surroundings. Lets not be wearing those stilettos at the beach!

White isn’t the only neutral 
When you are wanting to go neutral with your outfits remember white isn’t the only neutral.  Men wearing a light blue oxford and a woman in a blush dress is still neutral! Other neutral options: black, tan, blush, light blues, nudes, navy, gray. Spice up your neutrals with going with other textures, patterns, & playing around with more than just white.

Don’t be afraid of pattern & color
Make sure to bring in some color & pattern to your photo shoots to really make your family photos a masterpiece. Always make sure there is a great balance between patterns and solids. For example in a family photo shoot, maybe the daughter is in a floral dress, the dad is in a stripe shirt, & the mom & son are in solids. & don’t be afraid of mixing patterns. When picking colors, never be afraid, but thing about what colors go with the feel of your photoshoot. If you are going for a light & airy feel be sure to pick lighter colors. Want that downtown urban feel? Go with deeper more rich colors. Pattern & color can really add a pop of interest to your family photos & make you stand out against your backdrop.

Layers, layers, LAYERS.
Wear that jewelry, those cardigans, boots over jeans, belts, scarves, hats, & any sort of texture that will add interest & show your personality even more. Layers add so much to a photo & take a normal photo to the next level.

​If I were building outfits for my family this is how I would do it:

1. Keeping your location and season in mind, start with one person.  Don’t try and think of everyone at the same time.  I find that mom or a little girl makes the most sense since they would typically be the ones wearing a print.  So mom will be wearing a floral print dress (small pretty pattern that is).
2. Now move on to the next person.  You will be pulling colors from mom’s dress so begin to think about who in the family would look good in what colors.  Dad doesn’t look so good in XYZ since it tends to drown out the tone in his skin.  Let’s pick ABC for him instead.  And so on.
3. Then start to come up with ideas to personalize the session.  A little boy may have a security blanket or teddy bear he never parts with…. be sure to bring that with you.  The little girl may like crafting so have her make a cute matching headband or clip for her hair.  Mom loves tulips… on your way to the session pick some up.  Make thoughtful choices and be sure to discuss the ideas with your photographer!  Believe me, most are full of ideas however, it’s always nice when the family helps and truly ensures a “custom” session.

Check out our "What to Wear" Board on Pinterest for sample photos! ​https://www.pinterest.com/catsmacphotogra/clients-what-to-wear-board/

Safety is priority number one in our studio! When it comes to newborn photography, we always work together, or we ask mom or dad to help. We will never do a pose if we feel it is uncomfortable or unsafe for the newborn, and we always have a hand on the baby. If there is a pose such as the “froggy pose” or "hanging pose" we will always do it as a composite.  We do prefer more natural, comfortable set ups and poses, done safely on a posing beanbag, or in a secure, weighted basket or bucket with a hand on baby at all times. We also always make sure baby is in a very deep sleep, before posing a newborn in a prop. For more information and to see samples of safe newborn posing, see our Pinterest page at ​https://www.pinterest.com/catsmacphotogra/safe-newborn-posing/

During the course of our business, we often get asked what the difference is between lifestyle photography and posed photography. We offer both kinds in our sessions, and sometimes incorporate both styles into one session.
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A lifestyle photo shoot is simply that - photos that record your lifestyle. A good example is in-home newborn photography. We come into your home and photograph your interaction with each other, other members of the family, pets as well. We use the natural light of your home and props that you provide, however, we do bring some of our own. We capture your surroundings - in short, a moment of time at this point in your life. 

Posed photography is often done in our home studio. That when we use a variety of props and studio lighting. We have a baby poser, different backdrops and a great assortment of props. We also incorporate some photos of the parents with baby as well. 

Over the years we've had many things in our studio to photograph. Other than the plethora of babies and families; we've had dogs, cowboy boots, rings, baby blankets, ultra sound pictures, tattoos, just to name a few. All of these things are special in one way or another to the person who wanted them photographed. 
Last week, during our Easter Mini Session with ducklings, a family brought their newest member, Oliver the kitten. Oliver is deaf but that doesn't hold him back. He was very inquisitive and roamed the studio looking for adventure. Watching the reaction of the ducks to him was priceless. They squawked, cheeped and watched him constantly. When Oliver saw them, he bounded over and quickly made friends. Seeing a great opportunity we let them get acquainted.  This is their reaction to each other. A few sniffs, a nuzzle and a look and they were friends. What more could a photographer want?