Confetti Minis!

Confetti minis are honestly so much! I generally say to make sure your child is at least 3 but these two did soo good for being barely 1 and 3. Some was eaten, some was thrown but there were a lot of laughs, a lot of dad wrangling tiny humans and overall, so much fun!

Pro Tip! Use big pieces of confetti or glitter for easier clean up, because you will be cleaning up for years! Also, little kids do soo good so it’s totally okay to have mom or dad throw glitter/confetti into the air over them so that they laugh and see it!

xoxox,

Nina

Invest In Your Child's Moments: Why A Bean Sprout Package?

Photography sessions for some people can be stressful to think about because they are an investment. As a society, we spend so much time and money planning our weddings, but do we realize that that one day actually is the start to the rest of our lives as adults? Do we actually care about the marriage or do we just want to have the best wedding ever? You spend thousands of dollars on a photographer for your wedding, for one day, to capture every single moment and milestone, why do not we not value that same mind set as a society and as parents for our children too? Kids are expensive, sure, I know this, I have two littles of my own. But I also know that they grow up so stinkin’ fast and seriously, I am so happy I have all their milestones documented and hung around my house. So, lets start with the newborn session.

First things first, I only take a handful of newborn sessions each month, booked around your due date to allow for the flexibility in my schedule to accommodate the unpredictability of when baby will arrive. I also have to schedule around sitter sessions (a milestone you should capture) and cake smashes (a mile stone you should capture) as well as family sessions, freshies and births. That being said, reach out to me around the end of your second trimester, or beginning of the third, so you can make sure you have a spot saved in my calendar. Do I have some last minute spots sometimes? Sure, of course, but my newborn sessions are special and I love being able to style them to your wants and needs and I ALWAYS try to get something personalized for your little one, and this cant always be done with a last minute session, and I don’t always have availability.

Secondly, I style everything. I give you some say in a color palette of your choosing, but you do not have to bring anything (this is for all my sessions, minus family but I will help style you). I have wraps, blankets, bonnets, outfits, headbands, pants, sleepy caps, props, EVERYTHING. I have everything I need for your session. You show up, hang out, and just relax during your session. My goal, is to make sure you have some me time during your session. We just finished my client area, I am working on getting a streaming device in there also, so you can just veg out on the couch while I photograph your babe.

Thirdly, I love products. I absolutely love love love wood prints and canvases. I adore custom made frames without glass in them. Albums of your session just make me smile and seeing your proofs in a physical print make my heart oh so happy. I love everything about having physical products of your images, and I hope you do too. Digitals are great to share on social media, but physical prints and wall art are to die for.

Okay, I am actually legit rambling via text form here but booking a newborn or a Bean Sprout Package is so important in starting the procession of capturing all your baby’s milestones in their first year. Check out my Bean Sprout Package to not miss a single moment in their first year. Invest in your baby. Invest in your memories and their moments, because you cannot get them back. I cannot turn back time to get your 3 month old back to a newborn session, and I cannot change your 11 month old walker into a sitter. Capture those moments, you will not regret it or be disappointed.

xoxo

Nina - Your Metro Detroit Newborn & Family Photographer

Smash & Splash: How To Prepare Your Child

Smash & splashes can be a lot of fun for both baby and mom/dad, but sometimes they can be a disaster. We all want that kid that loves their cake and smiles and laughs the whole time, but sometimes, that doesn’t always happen. There are a couple tricks to help get your child prepared that I am going to share with you but I also want to share with you some of my tricks in case we have a meltdown!

First and foremost, do not let the cake smash session be the first time your child tastes frosting or feels the texture of cake. Sometimes the sugar and sweetness from the frosting will put them off right away, and the texture of the frosting can be sticky and also start a meltdown. About 2 weeks prior to your session, make some cupcakes and let baby have some sensory time with it. They will be able to feel the different textures of both the frosting and cake as well as taste it, because we all know babies put everything in their mouths. If they are totally cool with it, awesome, don’t worry about the cake being an issue, if they do have a meltdown or don’t seem to like it, try again the next day or a couple days later, so they know that it’s okay and also can adjust to the feeling and taste.

Secondly, let me know ahead of time if baby has stranger danger and takes a while to warm up to new people. I always try to spend a few minutes, or more, when you arrive to get baby used to me. 8-12 months is prime age for your child to start developing a sense of anxiety around new people, especially if they do not attend a daycare or aren’t around many other people in general. Just let me know ahead of time so I can spend extra time getting your babe to warm up to me.

Third, send me their favorite song(s) or show so I can try and have something ready to go in case of a meltdown. Sometimes just singing “Baby Shark” or “ABCs” will do the trick and sometimes they need to see something on a screen or a favorite toy over my camera.

Forth, bring their favorite snack or puffs to hide in the back of the cake. Sometimes even with all prep work, they will not touch the cake and that’s totally okay. Hiding puffs or Cheerios in the back of the cake will allow me to capture your baby “grabbing” their cake, when really they’re just reaching for their snacks. I always have Cheerios readily available when needed but if your child prefers something else, bring it. No harm in trying all the tricks.

Also, start giving your child snacks while they are seated on the floor. Why is this important? When a baby is constantly put into a chair for snack or meal times, sitting on the floor in the studio with a cake in front of them can be another whole obstacle to tackle. I am not saying to give your child ALL the snacks on the floor because mess, BUT a few snacks here and there leading up to the cake smash is a good idea to make sure the smash cake session is not the first time they are eating while sitting on the floor.

Lastly, don’t stress, I got you mama. I handle everything from the cake to the outfit and set up. You express your theme, I will do the rest. I am more minimalistic when it comes to cake smashes because I want your baby as the front and center of the session, not the dramatic set up. Sure those set ups are cute, but I’m always drawn to how extravagant they are, and not the baby. I want you to see your sweet little babe.

Overall, cake smashes can be an amazing additional to your child’s first year milestone sessions but sometimes we have to do some work to get the amazing out of it, and that’s okay. And please remember, not crying is a WIN! Not all babies come in and are happy and excited and smile the entire time. But if your child looks at me, even with a straight face, and does not cry, MAMA that is a huge win for this age.

xoxoxox

Nina - Your Metro Detroit Newborn & Family Photographer