Morgan Dawson Photography

Ryan {Cake Smash sneak peek}

I've said it before and I'll say it again: You NEVER know how a child will react during a Cake Smash shoot. Some are excited (OMG there is a giant cake ALL FOR ME!), others are confused (You actually WANT me to play with my food?). I'd say Ryan fit somewhere in the middle.

Just a few weeks shy of his 2nd birthday, cutie Ryan seemed cautiously excited about the big blue cake in front of him. He slowly started to nibble it bit by bit. No big grabs for the center. No smearing of frosting for fun. Just some controlled cake eating.

What I quickly learned was that Ryan is not a fan of messy fingers. Every few minutes he would walk over to his dad with outstretched hands as if to say, "Can you help me out, Dad? Can't you see I've got a situation here!" After a quick wipe down, he was back to business...at least for a few minutes. Yes, he tried his best to clean his hands himself by licking his fingers or wiping them on the paper, but the buttercream frosting was too tough of a match. 

 

I wonder if he still has blue hands...

 

Twice the mess! {Cake Smash sneak peek}

If you want a recipe for total chaos, I've got it! You only need three ingredients: 2 one-year-olds (preferably twins) and 1 large cake with frosting. Combine all ingredients in a large, open area and then stand back and watch...

I always have fun during Cake Smash shoots, but this was crazy hilarious. I don't know how I would have handled it without mom Mindy and her mother as assistants. Corralling one set of messy hands and feet is nothing compared with two sets of frosting-covered hands and feet. They zig - you zag. Wow...

What I found really interesting was how they both approached the cake differently. Ava (in magenta) dove right in. No hesitation at all. Beatrice (in orange) was much more cautious. She definitely was not liking the thought of getting messy, and actually seemed a little disinterested at first. She eventually embraced the Smash, but still kept a ladylike grace about her.

I hope you enjoy the pics!  ~ Morgan 

The cake played defense! {Cake Smash sneak peek}

We never saw it coming...

On his first birthday, Cadence and his parents were excited to start the day with a Cake Smash. 

Cake + Kid = Good Times. Right? 

What no one saw coming was the defensive strike the cake had planned. You see, the second - and I mean the second - Cadence put his hands into the thick frosting, a GIANT glob shot like a missile into his eye. Immediate. Game over. Score one for the cake.

As a friend pointed out, I might have just given Cadence a temporary case of jophaboia - the fear of cake. That's a real word, and somehow this is a real anxiety disorder (or at least according to Google). Cadence wailed like you wouldn't believe every time he was placed near the thoughtfully created (and tasty) #1 birthday cake. 

After trying to calm him, we all decided a short drive around the corner (he'll forget this ever happened, right?) might do the trick. It worked! Cadence cheerfully came back and attacked the dessert like a 1-year-old normally does. Phew...

 
 

  

Beanie Day! {Cake Smash sneak peek}

As much as I love the creativity parents and kids bring to Cake Smash sessions, I have to think this session goes to an entirely new place. Kind of like a combination of Cake Smash and Trash the Dress!

Gianna turned two back in May, so this was a Cake Smash that proved there are no rules. Often my Cake Smash sessions are with children turning one or two years old. But there is always something to celebrate, as I found out with Gianna and her mother Karen!

Karen was the winner of the Luvaboos "Messy Faces" contest and she decided it was the perfect way to say goodbye to Gianna's lovely little dress, which she's quickly growing out of. And I couldn't agree more! We all had so much fun, and Gianna is old enough to perhaps remember parts of this day when grows older. 

Thanks, Karen and Gianna for reminding us that every day can be a celebration - a "Beanie Day," as these two call it, when they take the whole day to do fun things together with just mother and daughter!

 
 

  I made the mistake of asking her to shake her hands. Cake and frosting were everywhere! (see below)
 
 
 

Miss Ava turns one {extended Cake Smash sneak peek}

Let me tell you, this cake had no chance. None. There have been several times where (and I'm not saying this has happened...) you could still eat a reasonably attractive cake after the shoot was over. It's always a mess, but not totally destroyed. Not this time. 

Before you see messy Ava, take a look at totally cute (and frosting free) Ava in the extended shoot photos. Look at those eyes!

 
 

 

 
 

Another cake bites the dusts! {Cake Smash sneak peek}

I'll admit - there was a moment I wasn't sure the cake was going to get smashed. You just don't expect a child to crawl away from an open invitation to get messy, but that's just what happened. Thankfully, after a minute or two (and a dabble of frosting), Mr. Joshua realized the pot of blue gold in front of him and got busy.

     

Wardrobe Wednesday {what to wear - newborns and toddlers}

I'm really excited about this Wardrobe Wednesday and it's not just because it's my week - I'm excited to introduce you to some shops and online stores you may not be familiar with. Since some of the most popular portrait sessions are with kids in the newborn-to-two-years-old range, I decided to focus on their clothing needs. Unlike other groups, you really need to dress for the age. So here we go...

Newborns: Less is better, but if you want your baby clothed go for a diaper cover rather than a plain disposable one. They come in all sizes - even newborn - and a wide range of fun colors.

Cake Smash: If you’re not familiar with them, the concept is simple: cake + child + camera = hilarious. This is going to get really messy, really fast - so a colorful diaper cover is all you need!

Bigger Babies and Crawlers: Even though you probably have a closet filled with cute outfits, this might not be the time. Layers and ruffles can spell disaster with a constantly scrunched-up baby. The more time spent tucking in a shirt, moving away a collar ruffle, or pulling down a dress means more missed shots and an annoyed baby. Stick with simple pieces like a fun onesie or diaper cover with some BabyLegs. The other nice thing about these outfits is that they make changing diapers during a shoot a snap. (Again, less fussing = happier baby.)

Walkers: Once your child can walk you can start to consider layers. A skirt or dress with a cardigan, t-shirt with a button down on top, etc. Just make sure you still keep it simple (nothing that needs to be tucked in) and comfortable - these kids will be on the move!

And finally, a quick note about accessories. Hats and headbands are definitely cute, but if your child isn’t a hat-person, then don’t force it. The hat-on hat-off scene is a sure way to upset a baby. If you have something picked out, consider practicing wearing it once in a while before the shoot. The more comfortable your child is, the better the photos will be!

I hope you like the examples I’ve picked out. They might not be for everyone, but I hope you’ll consider showing a little personality (yours AND your babies) in the outfits you pick. And with unpredictable newborns and toddlers, it’s always a smart move to bring a second outfit... so make it a fun one!

 

The pieces above all come from retailers that may be new to you, but I think you’ll enjoy. Please note that these are just examples; you can find similar items at traditional stores like Old Navy, Gap, etc.

Luvaboos: I think it’s important to support small and local businesses whenever possible. Luvaboos is a natural parenting store and baby boutique that specializes in cloth diapers. Even if you’re a 100% disposable person, their covers are too adorable and totally fit over disposables!

• Happy Heinys Pocket Trainer (orange) $15.95
• Blueberry Cloth Trainers (green) $15.95
• FuzziBunz Perfect Size Diaper (white) $17.95
• Bummi Super Brite diaper cover (mixed) $12.25

Kitsel: This is one of my favorite online retailers for fun children’s clothing. Be sure to take a minute and browse their full line of T’s and onesies - they’re hilarious! The “I’m only doing this till my band gets signed” onesie is a personal favorite.

• Shabby Baby Hibiscus Dress $42
• Felt Blooming Flowers Onesie $29
• Headphones Onesie $23 (also comes as a t-shirt)
• Chick Magnet T-shirt $22.95
• See You Later, Alligator Onesie $28.00 (also as a short-sleeved onesie and t-shirt)

BabyLegs: I don’t have kids yet, but these just seem like the most brilliant item ever. They can be used as leggings in babies and toddlers, or worn on the arms of children (or their parents). A friend swears her baby’s uniform is onesie + BabyLegs.

• Go Fish Leg Warmers (UV 50+) $12
• Jelly Bean Stripped Leg Warmers $12
• Camo Leg Warmers $8

Threadless Kids: They carry a large line of onesies, hoodsies (!) and t-shirts for kids of all ages. The main site is for adults.

• Glou-glou T-shirt $9

Mini Boden: I don’t know where I’ve been, but until recently I was out of the Boden loop. Men, women, teens and babies - they’ve got it all!

• Skate Cargos $24

Etsy: 

• Bright & Birdie Beanie $20
• Vibrant Giraffe Beanie $20 
• Turquoise Flower Hair Clip with Lime Green Headband $7.95 
• Plaid Baby Newsboy Hat $15.00