cypress first birthday portrait

MJ – cypress first birthday portrait

cypress first birthday portrait

Have you heard of a Cake Smash session? There are a lot of trends that come and go, but a Cake Smash session is here to stay. I am a Cypress baby photographers and I love doing Cake Smash Sessions. I typically schedule them when the baby is around 11 months old. That way they are done by the time the Birthday party is thrown!

Here’s how Cake Smash sessions go down at MJ’s Photography |cypress first birthday portrait

cypress first birthday portrait
MJ -cypress first birthday portrait
  • We plan a theme. Since most of my Cake Smash sessions are of clients who are part of my “grow with me” plan, meaning I have done their newborn portraits and 6 & 9 month milestones, we usually already have a consistent theme going with their little one. I do get new clients that come in just for their Cake Smash session, in that case we put together some ideas. I am more of a simple background kind of photographer, so I stick to the basics. What colors do they want? What theme is their birthday party going to be done in? I provide most of the props, such as the large number 1, the things for them to sit on, the background banner that displays O-N-E, and some other accessories. Of course lots of parents choose to bring more and that is completely ok!

cypress first birthday portrait – MJ

cypress first birthday portrait

  • We plan outfits for their Cake Smash session. I allow a couple outfit changes. We usually do one outfit before the cake, that way we can get an “official” first birthday portrait. Then we change them into their “cake smash outfit.” For girls, some opt for the tutu and necklace look, a romper, or a cute onsie with a number 1 displayed. For boys, my favorite option is the shorts with suspenders and a little hat! Some other cute options are bloomers and a matching bow tie, or just a diaper cover. Again, less is more.

cypress first birthday portrait

cypress first birthday portrait
cypress first birthday portrait- MJ

cypress first birthday portrait

  • Parents bring the cake for the Cake Smash session. The main reason for this is because of allergies. Each baby is different and it is safer if the parent brings the cake. I am big on baby safety whether it is a newborn portrait or a cake smash session. Most opt for the smaller cake. There is not need for a huge cake to make it a success. You want to bring the cake at room temperature, that way it is easier to dig into. Of course, living in Texas, this is never a problem! Colors to avoid? Red. Why? It is so hard to clean off of them and leaves them with a skin dye for a little while. For icing, avoid fondant-it is really hard to break into and can create a choking hazard.

cypress first birthday portrait

cypress first birthday portrait

  • Can I just assume that my baby will dig in? No. Not all babies will. My daughter wanting nothing to do with the cake and avoided it at all costs. Some do that. She also had never had cake before. Babies are hesitant with new textures, so give them a little practice run before with a small cupcake, this will help.

cypress first birthday portrait

cypress first birthday portrait

  • Lastly, make sure to bring wet wipes, extra clothes, and plan on giving your little one a good bath when they get home!  There will be cake everywhere, but that’s the whole point of a Cake Smash session!

cypress first birthday portrait

Cake smash sessions are a blast. It is such an amazing way to capture their personalities for their first birthday.  I love photographing first birthdays. So much personalities in such little babies! The only problem with cake smash sessions is, WHY DIDN’T THEY COME AROUND SOONER! I wish I had one of myself ha ha!

MJ – cypress first birthday portrait

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www.mjsphotography2009.com

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Email me: [email protected]

MJ’s Photography – Houston newborn photos

MJ does Houston newborn photos.  I live for the sweet baby poses. I had the honor of taking Tyler’s newborn portraits. He was 8 days old at the time of his shoot. His big sister, Emma, is two and was amazing for newborn and sibling shots.

He wasn’t having the sleeping part at the beginning, but I love awake shots just as much as those sleepy poses. If you do not know how to swaddle, learn! It is so important for those times where baby just wants to be awake. Embrace it. He was awake for a good solid hour. We went ahead and did sibling shots, family shots, and then moved on to swaddled poses.

Newborn photography tyler tx
Baby Tyler was awake for a good portion of his Newborn session. How could you not love those eyes? Houston newborn photos

Newborn photography is unpredictable. You can have a plan, but that doesn’t mean you will get to follow it. The babies run the show, we just follow their lead. You have to learn to be able to adapt to any situation and learn how to pose each individual baby. Once Tyler fell asleep, he let me pose him whichever way I wanted. So we did around 5 poses in 30 minutes. Just in time for him to have to go, if you know what I mean, and wake himself up!

Here is one of my favorite shots from Tyler’s newborn portrait session at my in home studio in Houston Texas. The taco pose. This pose is no easy task, if you have tried it, then you know!

Newborn photography tyler tx
Tyler’s newborn portraits. The taco pose. Newborn photography tyler tx

Another helpful tip. Do not get frustrated or stressed. The newborn can sense this and it will only make matters worse. Stay calm, play white noise, keep it warm, and if all else fails, swaddle them up!

Here are some more images from Tyler’s newborn session. I love changing out wraps and poses.

Most of all. Remember to be safe. No pose is worth the risk.

Houston newborn photos

Want to book a session? Message me now

Visit MJ’s Photography

www.mjsphotography2009.com

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MJ

All work and no play? Do you have mom guilt? Fulshear family photographer – MJ’s Photography

Fulshear family photographer – MJ’s Photography

I decided today…I do not take enough pictures of Emma Lyn playing…being herself. I am always so busy building my business in Fulshear that I sometimes forget why I even started this. Her. I love what I do, but it is so time consuming. There is no time outside of her and photography. I miss a lot of events, get togethers, and friend time because I want to be successful. I can deal with that. But I cannot deal with missing all of the little moments she provides for me. So I’m not. I will capture more memories of my own daughter. Her silly expressions, her personality, and most of all her heart!

Mom’s have it rough. We want to do something other than be a mom, but when we do, we feel guilty. At least I do. Everyone says we can’t have it both ways. But can we? Can we do both? I think so. I think it is tiresome and I think your free time will be non-existent (not that there was much to begin with.) But I think if you want something, go for it. Our kids are not holding us back, they are why we are doing it! (Don’t worry, I have to keep telling myself that too 😉 )

Here she is today peeping at the neighbors in Fulshear. She swears they have a dinosaur.

Fulshear family photography
Fulshear family photographer

Want to book a session? Fulshear family photographer – MJ’s Photography

Visit MJ’s Photography

www.mjsphotography2009.com

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Email me: [email protected]

Record your memories.

Serving Fulshear, Cypress, Katy, and the Houston areas.