Your baby's first birthday is an amazing time to update your family portraits, while also celebrating who they are becoming as they transition into toddler-hood. I think a lot of parents think they have to plan this extravagant cake smash session with a theme, props and backdrops, that's definitely not the case for everyone. In my experience, half the time babies don't really want anything to do with their on the spot moment with cake and end up crying through most of it. It makes for some super cute pictures to look back on FOR SURE, but you will also likely take those pictures at their party or at home with cake as well. So if you're not the type that needs a studio location done up with props and backdrops and want to just embrace nature and focus on YOUR FAMILY, I'm your girl. You can certainly still bring a cake, cupcake, or heck- whatever their favorite food or snack is! But don't feel like your baby's first birthday session needs to be as meticulously planned as their birthday bash. 

Baby's are in their very best moods first thing in the morning (like, 90% of the time). You and I both know that smile you get when you say "Good morning, sweet baby" - that's what we're looking for so I recommend booking your baby's session first thing in the morning and well before that mid-morning nap time frame. We want to make sure their belly is full and they're ready to be the center of attention. Who doesn't want that boost in the morning?

I feel like a broken record here lately, but I highly recommend sunrise sessions if you're planning a beach session and have a little one under the age of 3. These 6:00AM smiles are basically unbeatable, and I know that makes for a smooth timeline of everything we can accomplish. We actually got The Vaughn family's session done in about 25 minutes from start to finish. And as you can see, it's not like we skimped on variety. They were actually early, too. Which I feel like is a rarity, especially when you're commuting. But they understood the assignment, and crushed it.