We held Amariah’s Outdoor Cake Smash At Wat Tyler Country Park in Basildon, Essex. I particularly enjoyed this session the most as It was the first time I’d shoot a cake smash outdoors. The weather was perfect that day and the family looked stunning even though baby Amariah was not “feelin” this shoot she still rocked it!
As it was summertime going outdoors for this session was particularly safe due to the current pandemic, as social distancing can then be easily maintained. Not too long ago from this day, we had to stay at home for 3 months. With bare minimum social interaction here and there. It was really refreshing to be able to pick up my camera again and provide this family with memories of their gorgouse little one’s first birthday cake smash! Even the passing public in the park had to stop and comment on how beautiful Amariah looked in her little cake smash setup. Her gallery as you can see was full of colour and inspiration, I thoroughly enjoyed taking these images and editing them. I hope you find some inspiration from viewing them too. And if you would like to enquire for your outdoor cake smash I’ll be more than happy to help.
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Kids are the best. They’re adorable, of course can be very funny at times and you never know what you’re going see from them. Kids are full of life and inquisitiveness about almost everything. Truly, they’re a dream to behold.
It can capture beautiful moments that would otherwise eventually be blurry memories. While everyday moments have their appeal, the best photographs usually come from special planned settings, preferable in professional baby studio, such as a newborn photoshoot, and mother and baby photo sessions. However, here are tips so that you get the perfect shot for your cake smash session.
The Cake
No cake smash photography would be complete without an ideal cake. By ideal, we mean a cake that pops in the photographs and is easy for your baby to dig into. Choose a simple sponge cake with buttercream icing in bright and cheerful colours, such as pink, purple, baby blue, light green or yellow. If you have the budget for it, professional made-to-order cakes look gorgeous in cake smash photos.
The Theme
Choose a theme that your baby will recognize and love. You could use a favourite book, toy or character for inspiration. You don’t want a grumpy or scared baby when it is time to take the photos. If you don’t want to have a specific theme, remember to colour coordinate everything, especially the baby’s outfit with the cake.
The Lighting
Natural light is ideal for a cake smash photo session in Essex. If possible, hold the session outdoors in a park or on the beach. If you can’t take everything outside, choose to set everything up in a room with big windows that get indirect sunlight. Or book a professional baby studio so that the photos turn out perfect regardless of the location.
The Placement
While you could seat your baby in a high chair and place the cake on the dining table, you shouldn’t. The best cake smash photos have been taken in the simplest of settings a baby on the floor with the cake. If you are worried about the mess, buy a vinyl cloth to place on the floor.
The Baby
Plan the session with your baby’s personality and schedule in mind. If he/she doesn’t like crowds, it is best to do an intimate session with just the immediate family present. This way you also won’t find yourself distracted by the urge to be the host. Remember to pick a time when the baby is usually awake and active to prevent a disaster.
If you would like to find out more about our 5 Tips for the Best Cake Smash Shoot in Essex, Basildon please click here. If you would like to get in touch and make a booking or enquiry please visit contact us I am now listed as 1 of the top 3 Photographers in Basildon, Essex
7 Tips for A Great Outdoor Family Photography Shoot in Essex
Spring & summer is the perfect time to get the kids outside for some professional family photography. Here are some tips to help you capture outstanding outdoor family photography in Essex.
1. Choose A Location with Lots of Spaces to Roam
Babies love to run around, and happy kids make for better photos. Don’t choose a place where the babies are not allowed to play on the grass, touch things or have a lot of rules to follow. Let the kids explore a little bit, find places that they enjoy and keep their interest, and take advantage of these precious moments. Choosing a spacious location also helps to keep random people from featuring in your photos because you can move to the less crowded areas.
2. Start with Your Posed Portraits
Kids get dirty fast and their attention spans are short. They can run through the sprinklers, skin knees and mess up their hair climbing trees within minutes of arriving and before a single photo has been taken. Get the whole family together from the onset to get at least a few hang-on-your-wall-worthy photos. Don’t be afraid to bribe the kids with play time if they can make a nice smile in the beginning.
3. Bring a Blanket
Getting a shot of the family lying down can be a really nice pose, but it’s helpful if they’re comfortable/not getting dirty. Bring a blanket with you or ask the family to bring something from home that they can lay down on. Choose a blanket with minimal patterns and solid colours if possible to avoid distractions.
4. Have a Distraction
Kids can often get tired or bored while taking photos. Ask families with young children to come along with toys, drinks and snacks. A set of cones for tag or a ball to kick around can bring out some genuine smiles and fun action shots. The parents know the best thing to get their babies attention, so make sure to consult with them. Snacks and drinks prevent premature meltdowns and keep everyone hydrated on hot days. For every kid, holding a toy while you are shooting or having someone else help turn their attention toward the camera can be the only way to get a child to take a good baby photoshoot.
5. Be Patient
If you are a parent, you know that working with children requires some patience. Do not expect the kids to respect your schedule. Allow time for breaks for eating, crying, exploring, and for them to just be kids.
7. Posing
We give both the kids and parents very specific directions. If you can, make it into a challenge for the kids. If it turns into a game, and they think it is fun, they will be more likely to keep their attention focused on what they need to accomplish.
If you would like to find out more about our 7 Tips for A Great Outdoor Family Photography Shoot in Essex, Basildon please click here. If you would like to get in touch and make a booking or enquiry please visit contact us I am now listed as 1 of the top 3 Photographers in Basildon, Essex
