Featured Photographers Alexis Plevy Allyson Barth Anna Alesci Anushka Kumari Benedetta Vallone Bibi Lalbihari Brianna Zarins Brooke Lattik Bryana Capen Karen Fullmer Kayleigh Fountain Kristen Nicotra Dawn Geraghty Felisha Lees Falguni Kharwa Heather Tietjen Jennifer Rinaldi Joanna Law Lauren Grugle Leah Laurie Lindsay Carta LuAnn Warner-Prokos Michelle Dominey Michelle Howatt Patience Szutkowski Penny Carolan Primy Fuentes Stacey Ash Tejaswi Villuri Trisha Harris Veleska Martin
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Brianna Zarins
Cover image by Kristen Nicotra
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Editor -Creative Director Anamaria Brandt Graphic Design Kelli Campbell
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Bryana Capen
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It's finally Summer and things are starting to open up around the world since Covid changed our lives forever. In this issue we celebrate the amazing time of year when babies can celebrate their milestone birthdays in adorable set ups. We all know how temperamental one year olds can be and how challenging grabbing the perfect cake smash image is. We celebrate the amazing photographers that have shared their images with us and hope it inspires you for your next session. Thank you for being a part of our community and we hope this magazine is a treasured keepsake for years to come. Ana Brandt
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Tips for the Perfect CakeSmash The Prep: 1. Have a plan! Create lead forms and contact forms that request specific information from initial contact (picking 3 colors, theme, choosing a specific date, asking if they have allergies, including your turn around time). -putting the turn around time on the initial contact form is important, this way they know what to expect from day one of initial contact. 2. Connect with local bakeries (you can easily create a simple spreadsheet and include pictures of their outfits, details, and sets in live time app). Let them know what to avoid to keep baby safe and what photographs best (example, vanilla vs chocolate icing and avoiding sharp sticks and small items on/in cake). Working and connecting with other small businesses can be one of the most valuable assets to your business. 3. Create automated email templates . The details can be set up in a template so you remain consistent in your workflow. It keeps the client informed of what to expect during the process. Clients just want to be informed and prepared for the day of. Keep it short, clear, and to the point! Example: Have them bring their favorite snacks, a few fun toys, and a towel for the tub. The Day of : 1. Start with non cake portraits first. Ask again if there are any known allergies. Safety first, ALWAYS. When it's time for the cake, have mom give the baby a little taste of the cake prior to putting them in the set. This is important because it will allow you to get a snapshot of what the baby will do with the cake and whether or not they will eat it. If they do not like the taste of it or don't want it you need to come up with a back up plan to get the shots you need (put the snacks mom brought in tiny pieces on the cake, this WORKS wonders and it's familiar to them so they generally go right for it).
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2. Be quick and move, move, move ! Their attention span is so minimal at this age. The average attention span at this age is 2-3 minutes (https://www.brainbalancecenters.com/blog/normal-attention-span-expectations-byage). It is going to require you to change up how you are gaining their attention. Some examples could be singing a song, using a duster, moving the cake, showing them a toy, giving them a snack (that's not cake), or handing them a prop. 3. Take a variety of shots and angles. Get low on their level, shoot over head of them looking up, put the cake on their lap, or change from a high cake stand to a low one! Most important . . don't forget those close ups !!!! Parents love the close ups! 4. Have a concrete plan for clean up! ( a few pictures in the tub, wipes, etc) 5. Discuss again what is the next step for client receiving images and what the expected turnaround time is. AFTER1.Pay attention to the angles, poses, and shots that parents are generally picking. Shoot those angles and lots of them during your session. Hint: PARENTS LOVE CLOSE UPS! 2. Send a follow up email and deliver in your expected turn around time. Surprise and delight! Meet expectations!
Written By Kristen Nicotra
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Anna Alesci
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Heather Tietjen
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Anna Alesci
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Michelle Howatt
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Alexis Plevy
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Karen Fullmer
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Trisha Harris
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Primy Fuentes
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Penny Carolan
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Jennifer Rinaldi
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Lauren Grugle
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Michelle Howatt
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Jennifer Rinaldi
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Brianna Zarins
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Dawn Geraghty
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Benedetta Vallone
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Karen Fullmer
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Michelle Dominey
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Trisha Harris
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Michelle Dominey
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Trisha Harris
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Felisha Lees
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Primy Fuentes
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Benedetta Vallone
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Penny Carolan
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Trisha Harris
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Patience Szutkowski
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Benedetta Vallone
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Anushka Kumari
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Benedetta Vallone
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Benedetta Vallone
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Penny Carolan
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Benedetta Vallone
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LuAnn Warner-Prokos
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Heather Tietjen
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Felisha Lees
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Patience Szutkowski
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Dawn Geraghty
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Bryana Capen
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Bryana Capen
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Brianna Zarins
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Bibi Lalbihari
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Anushka Kumari
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Brooke Lattik
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Karen Fullmer
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Leah Laurie
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Patience Szutkowski
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Primy Fuentes
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Trisha Harris
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Trisha Harris
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Trisha Harris
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Michelle Dominey
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Heather Tietjen
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Dawn Geraghty
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Alexis Plevy
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Anushka Kumari
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Benedetta Vallone
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Brianna Zarins
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Leah Laurie
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Lindsay Carta
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Trisha Harris
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Trisha Harris
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Anushka Kumari
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Anushka Kumari
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Veleska Martin
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Tejaswi Villuri
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Stacey Ash
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Joanna Law
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Falguni Kharwa
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Tejaswi Villuri
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Falguni Kharwa
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Allyson Barth
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Allyson Barth
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Joanna Law
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Tejaswi Villuri
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Veleska Martin
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Joanna Law
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Allyson Barth
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Falguni Kharwa
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Nathalia Carrillo Stacey Ash
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Stacey Ash
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Kayleigh Fountain
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Kayleigh Fountain
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