A lot goes into a photoshoot, Here's what to expect.
the process
Maternity/Portrait
Each photoshoot starts with a pre-session consultation where we’ll get to know one another, discover your wants and expectations and design a theme for the shoot that’s unique to you! Consultations typically last about 1 hour.
HOW TO PREP YOUR:
SKIN
Please come to the studio the morning of your session with your skin completely clean and free of any cosmetics. Avoid getting an artificial tan or spray tan prior to your shoot.
HAIR
You should arrive to the studio with your hair freshly washed and completely dry or ready for the shoot. Please do not straighten your hair or put any products in it other than light hair spray. If needed, please make sure your roots are touched up prior to your shoot.
NAILS
Since hands play a very important role in your portrait, it’s best if your nails are trimmed with light or no polish and avoid designs or bright bold colours.
ON THE DAY OF YOUR PHOTOSHOOT, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WITH YOU:
• A nude strapless bra and matching nude thong
&
• A black strapless bra and matching panties
Photoshoot day!!!
TIME TO HAVE SOME FUN!
It’s my goal to make you look and feel your most confident and beautiful when you step in front of my lens. Once we’ve created your first look, the real fun begins.
Some posing and positions may feel awkward and uncomfortable at times, but I'll direct you through each step of the process - from your feet and hands, all the way up to the top of your head. While posing may feel like a physical challenge at times, I promise that you will look natural, elegant and relaxed in your photographs.
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR YOUR SHOOT:
Smeyes!
Aka, smiling with your eyes. Practice looking at yourself in the mirror and smiling with your eyes. This simply means relaxing your mouth and giving a soft, gentle smile while focusing on your eyes. A little practice beforehand will give you more confidence when I ask you to smile with your eyes during the shoot.
Ballet Hands
Hands play a very important role in creating your portraits. "Ballet hands" simply means soft, relaxed hands and fingers. Practice touching your face, neck, shoulders and hips with your fingertips. We want the hands to be relaxed and soft.
Newborn Session
How to prepare your newborn baby:
-If nursing or bottle feeding breastmilk, try to eliminate caffeine from your diet for 72 hours prior to your session.
-If bottle feeding, breastmilk or formula, please bring along a bottle if we need to feed baby during your session.
-Please feed baby about an hour prior to your session, and then that hour prior try and have some ‘awake’ time if possible, bath, let them kick with only a diaper on, tickle their toes, even letting them fuss for a little bit, etc. This will ensure those squishy, sleepy newborn pictures! I can’t stress enough that it is so important to do your best to keep them awake. Many parents come in saying “baby has been sleeping all morning, but don’t worry, they sleep SO well this time of day!” only to have baby wake up, since they will be unclothed and unswaddled.
-Dress baby in a button/zip up outfit, just ideally nothing that goes over baby’s head so if they’re sleepy when you arrive we don’t disturb them too much :)
-Please bring a pacifier. Even if you haven’t used one yet or baby doesn’t seem to take to it, just for the 2-3 hours that I’m posing baby it can really help.
-I have a collection of headbands, hats, bonnets, wraps, boxes, outfits and more, so no need to bring anything from home unless there is something special so I can include it in the flow of your session
Home
HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR CAKE SMASH SESSION
CAKE SMASH PORTFOLIO
VIEW STUDIO SETUPS
A cake smash session is a fun and joyful way to commemorate this milestone in your child’s life. Take this opportunity to capture your child’s delight as they tear into their first real taste of sugar!
What to Expect
Cake Smash sessions last about 45-75 minutes. The beginning is comprised of milestone pictures, in which I capture the personality of your little one alone. Next we begin by taking pictures of your little one in their cake smash outfit before introducing the cake. Once we bring in the cake, the photo session takes approximately 15 minutes. We let your baby set the pace, as some little ones dig right in and destroy the cake, and others need a little bit of encouragement and sometimes even help to get into their cake. Be ready to get your hands dirty and help your little one get past all that frosting to the cake underneath!
Choosing or Making a Cake
Select a small cake or large cupcake, approximately 6-8 inches around. Due to concern for allergens, Jehzel Vigoa Photography LLC is not able to provide the cake. I am happy to recommend some local bakers if you will not be making the cake yourself. Whether you are making the cake, or having it made, please consider the following items:
Please make sure that there are no fondant, gum paste or pearls on the cake as those can be choking hazards for the baby. Small sprinkles are okay.
When ordering the cake, please mention to the baker it is for a Cake Smash session so they do not add any support inside the cake. (Sticks, toothpicks, tubs, etc.) When baby begins to smash the cake, they can get hurt by this.
Be sure the colors of the cake matches the theme of the session. For example, a Mickey Mouse theme can have Black, Yellow and red colors.
Remove the cake from the refrigerator 2-3 hours before the session to allow the frosting to come to room temperature. That way the frosting is soft and easy for baby to destroy.
What to Wear
Choose the theme or color of your little one’s cake smash first, and then you can choose the outfit. Etsy is a wonderful resource for buying custom made outfits that will make this photo session memorable. Amazon is also a great choice. Please be sure to order the outfit with plenty of time prior to the session.
The Mess
I hope that your little one makes a huge mess! That’s the whole point of this session, and most fun of the day. Depending on package, We will finish the session with a splash in a tub, so please bring a clean outfit for the ride home.
Things to Bring
Cake
Towel
Cake Smash Outfit
1 additional outfit for Baby as backup
Change of clothes for parents, just in case
Diapers & wipes
Sippy cup to help wash down the cake or milk
Wooden or plastic spoon. If baby does not like to get their hands dirty, they can still use the spoon to destroy the cake.
Snacks (think cheerios, or puffs) in case they don’t like the cake. I sometimes have to hide them in the back of the cake to make it look like your little one is actually eating cake.
A favorite toy