Hey Friends! I cannot wait to share this sweet little session with you!
Jackson is the sweetest and most playful boy. I’ve had the joy of photographing him since he was a Newborn. We did his 3, 6, 9, and 12 months and capturing him grow was the best! Then we did his 18 month session at Bond Park to capture him while he was playing and having fun. He’s done a few mini sessions in the studio and getting him to stay still is a tiny bit of a challenge because this little man needs to move and explore!
When his mama approached me for his two year old session, we decided to do it in studio and I knew that he would need something to keep him happy and in one place. Jackson LOVES everything Disney – a fabulous trait he got from his Mommy & Daddy! We contemplated different themes and settled on Toy Story. Because Toy Story would surround him with his favorite toys and possibly keep him on the set for longer than 4.5 seconds! Ha! I’m a firm believer in quality over quantity but his expressions and the fun he had with his toys and then his cake gave me so much to choose from that I had trouble narrowing it down.
Many people think that having milestone sessions should stop at one because babies are walking and getting too busy but I completely disagree! In fact, I’ll be doing Magic Mini Toddler Sessions twice this year and we’ll be using fun organic toys, bubbles, and balloons to keep them happy and at play.
My tips for this age…
#1 Keep it age and time appropriate- toddlers do not have the patience to sit for an hour session. I move fast and pay attention to their mood changes. I use small wooden toys or little stuffed animals for them to hold in their hands. They love to have something in their hands and they do sit a little longer!
#2 Get to know them in the beginning of the session – I spend a few minutes chatting to their mamas and sneaking in hellos and slowly move towards the babies. I make no attempt to force myself on them. I stay a bit farther back when I first start shooting and then move closer as they become more comfortable. I sneak in tickles or blow on their foreheads or use a squeaky toy on my camera. And most often by the end, they are climbing into my lap for hellos and hugs good bye!
#3 Stay calm & peaceful – babies and toddlers are sponges! They will soak up what you are feeling internally. If you feel peace, they will feel that peace. If you feel frustrated because it may not be going your way, they will feel that too and then act out of it.
#4 Use chairs, benches, bowls, and furs. Babies and toddlers love to just sit on something. They love textures and handles and they love it when you let them think it’s their idea! Once in awhile I find a baby who hates to sit in a bowl or chair and when they do I go with the flow and take it away immediately!
#5 Go with the flow! I have had babies & toddlers who need a hand hold while they sit in front of my camera so I let mama do that. I’ve had babies who won’t stay on the set but they are playful and love being held upside down so I let moms hold them upside down! I’ve had them need to stop for hugs and a rest and then we go back. Some babies & toddlers aren’t big smilers but they have beautiful, curious facial expressions and those are the ones I capture. I go with their flow and I find it’s so much easier!
Enjoy Jackson’s Toy Story Cake Smash!
