One whole year of love, laughter, and now… cake!
Let’s turn one of your little one's big milestones into magical memories
* Pre-session communication and preparation to make your session perfect!
*Includes Portraits & Cake Smash
* Up to 90 minutes of photographic services
* My creative & professional editing services with a gallery of 65+ high resolution digital images for you to print and share
* 1 available outfit change
$400
* Pre-session communication and preparation to make your session perfect!
*Includes Portraits & Cake Smash
* Up to 45 minutes of photographic services
* My creative & professional editing services with a gallery of 35 high resolution digital images for you to print and share
$250
Cake (Starts at $40)
Available for in-home, in-studio & outdoor sessions
Want to make things even easier? Add a custom cake to your session and let me handle the details for you! I’ll coordinate with a trusted local baker to create a beautiful cake that perfectly matches your chosen theme or color palette. It will be delivered fresh and ready for your little one to enjoy (and smash!) during the session. No need to worry about ordering, transporting, or setting up, I've got it covered! This way you can simply show up and enjoy the moment.
Balloons (Starts at $30)
Available for in-home, in-studio & outdoor sessions
Take the stress out of party prep by adding a custom balloon setup to your session! I’ll coordinate everything to match your theme or color scheme perfectly. Whether it’s a simple balloon bunch or a fun garland. The balloons will be set up and ready to go when you arrive, so you don’t have to worry about inflating, transporting, or arranging a thing. It’s one less thing on your plate, and one more way to make your little one’s session pop!
Flowers (Starts at $40)
Available for in-home, in-studio & outdoor sessions
Enhance your session with your favorite flowers to bring vibrant colors and versatility to your gallery! Allow me to provide up to three bouquets, beautifully arranged with the flowers of your choice.
Extended Family ($200)
Available for outdoor sessions
The extended family add-on adds 30 minutes to your scheduled session & allows you to include all of those special family members you might not see every day. Including grandma & grandpa, aunts, uncles & all the cousins!
Change the Backdrop or Add a Location ($50)
Available for in-studio & outdoor sessions
Available for In-studio & On-location sessions. Can’t choose just one backdrop color? No problem! Once we’re happy with the first set, I’ll swap in your next chosen color while you take a short break. If you’ve added an outfit change, this is the perfect time to switch! This will add 10-15 minutes to your session to ensure everything is ready for the next look.
Special Set (Price TBD)
Available for in-studio & outdoor sessions
Want something extra magical? The Special Set Add-On includes a fully styled setup, like the baby hot air balloon, butterfly garden, or other themed sets. This option covers everything you need for that picture-perfect look, including coordinating balloons, props, and even a matching cake if desired. We will work together to create the perfect scene for your little one's session! The setup will all be done by me before our scheduled session, so you can walk into a beautifully designed set ready for unforgettable photos.
I. Before the session
Before your little one’s cake smash session, I’ll send over a quick questionnaire to get to know you and your baby better! It helps me learn more about your ideas for the session including the theme, decorations, and what kind of cake (or other fun treat) you'd like to use. Whether you’re going all-out with a party theme or keeping it sweet and simple, the details you share help me bring your vision to life. You’re welcome to include anything special like party hats, a favorite outfit, or even a small banner or sign. I have some 1st birthday party hats that will also be available for use during your session. I always love knowing a bit about your baby’s personality so we can make the session playful, relaxed, and full of smiles. I can also help you choose the best location for your baby's first birthday session. I tend to recommend outdoors or in my studio, so you don’t have to worry about cleaning up a cake-covered toddler at home! I take care of all the mess so you can focus on enjoying the moment and celebrating this exciting milestone. My goal is to create a fun and memorable experience that captures your little one just as they are, happy, curious, and oh-so-loved. To reserve your date and get officially booked on my schedule, a 50% non-refundable retainer is required at the time of booking.
II. During the session
We typically begin the session with some sweet portraits of your little one: just them on their own in a cute outfit (before things get messy!). If you'd like, we can also include some family or sibling shots at the beginning while everyone is still picture-perfect. Don’t worry about posing! I’ll guide you every step of the way so you can feel relaxed and confident in front of the camera. Once the portraits are done, it’s time for the main event: the cake smash! I’ll set your baby and their cake (or other smash treat) up in the best spot for lighting and photos, and then... it’s all theirs. This is where we let them explore, taste, smash, and enjoy however they want. Every baby reacts differently, some dive right in, and others need a little encouragement. If your little one isn't too sure about the cake at first, don’t stress, it’s totally normal! I often invite parents or siblings to jump in for a moment to help them get curious and maybe sneak a bite yourself. Most of the time, a little family interaction is all it takes. Other than that, I want you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful chaos. It’s such a fun, lighthearted session, and my goal is to capture your baby’s personality just as they are in this unforgettable moment.
III. After the session
Premium sessions:
Once your session has concluded, I will edit and deliver 5-10 sneak peek images within 72 hours of your session. I like to deliver sneak peeks since, many times, having a professional photoshoot done is a big deal! Your final gallery will be delivered within 4-6 weeks of your scheduled session. You will be able to view, download, print, and share your images as you'd like!
Standard sessions:
I will edit and deliver 3-5 sneak peek images within 72 hours of your session. Within 4 to 6 weeks you will receive a proof gallery containing a fully edited, watermarked gallery. From this gallery, you can select 35 images that are included with the price of your package, but will also have the option to purchase extra images, or the full gallery at an additional cost. Once you have selected the images you'd like, and paid for any additional images you may want, I will send you a final gallery without a watermark where you will be able to view download, print, and share your images as you'd like!
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Discounted Concepts
Every now & then, I get inspired to shoot something completely new. These concept sessions are styled to fit a specific vision, so i'm offering them at a discounted rate! Receive $100 off my premium package by selecting a concept.
These sessions will be removed/replaced once a concept has been booked! These concepts are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so whoever finishes the booking process first, will receive the discounted session.
Some sessions are only available during a specific time of year. These sessions also may require specific clothing or travel to specific locations that are not included in the discounted rate
Baby's First BBQ
Celebrate your baby’s first birthday with a tasty BBQ dig-in session that can take place outdoors or in the studio. Your little one will get to try some of your favorite baby-safe BBQ foods such as ribs and boneless wings, making their first taste experience both fun and delicious. We will capture those messy, joyful moments as your baby enjoys this smoky feast!
Available all year round
Watermelon Smash
Celebrate your little one's summer birthday with a fun outdoor Watermelon Smash session. Watch your baby chow down on juicy watermelon, play, and make adorable messy memories in a refreshing twist on the traditional cake smash.
Available In summer
Soaring to One
Celebrate your baby’s first birthday with a magical hot air balloon-themed session. I will create a baby-sized hot air balloon prop that stays safely on the ground, setting the perfect scene for joyful, whimsical photos as your little one marks this special milestone. This will be focused on first birthday portraits, as opposed to a cake smash.
Available In spring, summer or fall
Garden Party
Celebrate your little one's milestone with a whimsical Garden Party session featuring a charming boho-inspired setup complete with a baby-sized tent, greenery, roses, and balloons. This sweet outdoor-inspired theme also includes a custom cake for your little one to smash, allowing for adorable memories of their special day.
Available In spring or summer
FAQ
Are travel expenses included in your packages or covered additionally?
All sessions receive no additional travel expenses within 45 minutes of Peoria, IL. If you have decided to book one of my Premium packages you can enjoy up to 90 minutes of comped travel expenses. Beyond those limits, my travel fee is $50 per hour of travel.
If you're looking to book in Chicago, there are specific days I have available with no travel fee.
When should I schedule my baby's cake smash session?
I recommend booking cake smash sessions for about 4-6 weeks before your baby's birthday. This allows enough time for your photos to be edited and delivered prior to your little one's first birthday.
Do your cake smash sessions include clean portraits?
Yes! I start all my cake smash sessions with clean portrait photos of your little one. I also offer the option of including the family in some of the photos before the cake smash. This can include parents and siblings with the birthday baby!
What if my baby doesn't like the cake?
This isn't completely abnormal! I have had some babies really hate the cake, but the fun part is capturing all of their genuine reactions, the good and the bad, when they're trying their first bite of cake. I typically encourage the family to join in on the fun if baby isn't feeling the cake alone. Many times they just need that little bit of security from the family to really enjoy their time!
Do you provide a cake and balloons?
Neither of my packages come with cake or balloons, however, I do offer a cake and a balloon add-on if you'd rather have me deal with ordering and picking up these items. If you do decide to purchase one of the add-ons, we will work together to craft the perfect first cake/balloon set-up for your little one. The cake will be crafted by a local baker with whatever vision you have in mind.
What happens in the event of rain or other extreme weather?
If your session is scheduled for outdoors, I'll be watching the weather forecast the day of our session. If it looks like it will rain, I will be in touch via text or email and make the decision whether or not to postpone. I like to wait as late as possible to actually postpone because stormy skies right after or before rain are absolutely gorgeous, so if it’s not raining, we will be out there shooting! If there is other extreme weather coming during your sessions, such as tornados or high air pollution, we will discuss our options and reschedule if needed. In the case of any postponement, I will try to accommodate your session as soon as my schedule allows.
Can parents and siblings be included in cake smash & 1st birthday sessions?
Of course! I love to include family in milestone portraits and it will sometimes help if they're hesitant about trying the cake. Getting family snuggled up and enjoying the cake helps your little one feel comfortable digging in themselves!
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