Quinn's 3 Month Milestone Session | Saratoga Springs Baby Photographer

I love watching our Baby Plan babies grow!  Quinn Madlina first visited me in the studio a few months ago for her newborn session, and then she came back for her three-month milestone portraits!
 

This sweet baby girl is such a beauty, and I loved seeing how much she had grown!  She's getting so strong and really rocked her tummy time, but her favorite and most comfortable spot was laying on her back and looking up at her daddy, who got all the best smiles from his little girl! 

We used the same headband from her newborn session and a soft pink blanket that was so beautiful on her.

Of course, I love all of the creams & whites with our milestone babies because they are so classically beautiful and simple.  Quinn cozied up in one of our handmade knit rompers, and her tiny new earrings stole the show with just a hint of sparkle in her ears.

Milestone sessions are the perfect opportunity to capture a few seasonal portraits, and we used a nice holiday plaid for Quinn to celebrate the season!

Milestone sessions are best around 3-4 months (tummy time & back), 6-10 months (sitting up unassisted, clapping, smiling, and crawling), and of course the birthday cake smash between 10-13 months!

6 New Ways to Connect with your Clients through a VIP Facebook Group

Hey, photographers!

It’s officially the “slow season” for portrait photographers, which is the perfect opportunity for you to spend some time working ON your business rather than always working IN your business.  These couple of months are always my favorite time of year because I get to reflect on the past year, figure out what worked & what didn’t work, make goals and plans, and dream big for the 12 months to come! 

One item you might want to add to your business to-do list this winter is to create a VIP client group on Facebook, and to invite your clients to join.  This group is separate from your business page, though you can link it on your main business page so that clients can find it easily. 

A VIP client group provides extra value to your clients.  It enhances your marketing efforts, shows your clients that you value their input, and adds to the high-end experience that your brand has become known for. 

What are a few other reasons to consider creating a VIP client group?

1. A private VIP group has more effective reach than posts on Facebook business pages, Instagram, and even your email newsletter with the way that all of the algorithms prevent people from seeing your posts and messages.

2.  It’s a great way to gather your clients together and make them feel extra special.  Come on, who wouldn’t love being a “VIP” of something really cool?

3.  This is a place to give your clients input on upcoming sessions.  Make a poll and get their opinion!  These private, informal posts will get them involved in helping you decide on a theme, pick dates for special events, and gauge their interest in a new type of session that you’ve been thinking about.

4.  Reward your VIP members by giving them first dibs on booking upcoming events and mini sessions.

5.  Offer your clients booking incentives that are only available for members of the VIP group.  This might take the form of an extra print, a mini accordion album, a product credit, or a print bonus with their session.

6.  Regular posts will help you stay at the front of their minds in between sessions.  When they don’t forget about you, they’ll remember to book their next session!  Happy clients are loyal clients, so use your VIP experience to make them happy!

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Looking for a few more ways to take advantage of the extra time you have in your business this winter?  Click on the photos below for other popular blog posts that will help you take advantage of your time and give you plenty of inspiration for the months ahead!

Cake Smash Series: 70+ Theme Ideas for your Next Cake Smash Session

Your baby's first birthday is coming up, and it's time to party!  What better way to celebrate than with a portrait session?  Personally, cake smashes are my FAVORITE! 

We've come up with a list of the most popular (and also some of the most unique!) ideas for first birthday sessions and cake smashes.  We hope that you'll be inspired to plan a one-of-a-kind cake smash for your baby's first birthday!

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Classic themes:

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Construction/Trucks
Baseball
Nautical
Tea party
Circus
Flowers
Airplanes
Dr. Seuss
Rubber Duckies
Music/Band/Instruments
Sock Monkeys
Superheroes
Rainbow colors
Bohemian
Circus
Camping
Shabby Chic
Ballet

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Animals:

Unicorns
Teddy bears
Farm animals
Woodland animals
Ocean animals
Zoo animals
Bumble bees
Monkeys
Owls
Whales
Butterflies

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Seasonal:

Winter wonderland
Valentine’s
At the beach
Surf’s up
Cherry blossoms
Spring garden
Falling leaves
Halloween
Christmas
New Years Eve
Snowmen

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Classic Children’s Books:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Guess How Much I Love You
Corduroy
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Oh the Places You’ll Go
The Little Prince
Peter Rabbit/Beatrix Potter books
Where the Wild Things Are
Make Way for Ducklings
Blueberries for Sal
Goodnight Moon
Harry Potter
Winnie the Pooh
Peter Pan
Alice in Wonderland
 

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Food alternatives:

Spaghetti & meatballs
Watermelon
Pumpkin pie
Pancakes
Seasonal fruit (strawberries, blueberries)
Cheerios
Pineapple
Apples/apple pie for fall
Tacos
Waffles
Donuts
Ice cream
Pie
Cookies & milk

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You've got the perfect theme -- now what do you decorate with?  I provide all of the decor for my cake smash sessions at the studio.  Here are some of my favorite items I like to keep on hand to make our sessions a little more whimsical, creative, and fun!

Decor ideas:

Paper bunting in many shapes
Tulle balls
Tissue paper puffs
Twinkle lights
Patio lights
Lanterns
Cotton clouds
Hanging flowers
Ribbon streamers
Flower garlands
Eucalyptus garlands
Fake flowers to hang from the ceiling
Mason jars
Beaded curtains
 

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Don't forget to check out the other posts in our Cake Smash Series!