Cake Smash!

Sunday I had the pleasure of accompanying my cousin Kristin to cake smash photo shoot.  What is a cake smash you ask?

smash cake n. a celebratory cake intended to be destroyed, especially by a child. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)

Growing up, my mom made my brother and I each a tiny cake to smush into for our first birthdays. I still have the pictures my dad took as I demolished my cake in the midst of my birthday party.  The looks on the friends and family around me are almost as priceless as the look on my face at the texture and taste of yellow cake with chocolate frosting!

These days, professionally documenting a cake smash is all the rage! More often than not, it's done a few weeks before a first birthday and the pictures are either shown by mom/dad on social media on the birthday - or used for the birthday party invitation.

Sunday's photo shoot was for an absolutely adorable little girl, I'll call CC.  (Don't get me wrong, mom and dad were REALLY nice - but little CC was just the sweetest little thing!)

Prep: White backdrop and pink & green party decorations

Looking adorable in her party dress!

It took a little convincing - but she finally DOVE into her cake!

I can't show you pictures of the final product (yet).  Kristin is good, but needs a little more time to work her magic AND let Claire's parents see the pictures first.  Instead, here are a few other recent cake smashes! 

What are your thoughts on cake smash sessions?  Did you do it for your kids?

Santa Freaks Dogs Out...

Last Saturday I had the pleasure to be the photographer (and I use that term very, very loosely) at Petco for pictures with Santa.

The first thing I learned is that my dogs aren't the only ones who see Santa and freak out!  About half of the dogs that came in had some sort of reaction to our Santa.  It ranged from suspicion to intimidation to anxiety to one who had a fairly aggressive reaction.  Santa did, in fact, get bit once.  Thankfully, it didn't break the skin.

Beyond that, my biggest hurdle was getting the parents to stand behind me to get the pups to look in my direction.  Dogs take direction better than people... Despite that, I did get a few pictures that I was pretty happy with.

Here are a few of my favorites!

Two of the sweetest pups, ever!

She promptly took a nap after this picture...

Yes, this little one does have a mohawk with vegetable-based dye!

This sweet boy is SEVENTEEN years old!  I may have teared up while talking to his family about how special he is to them. 

Want to be on my Christmas card list?  Click HERE!

Just STOP! A Photo Editing PSA...

I love Instagram filters and the auto "fixes" available on most smart phones.  I do.  Truly!  They have the ability to make your standard candid truly beautiful.  In the right hands, those filters or smart phone gadgets can crop, heighten the color, fix red eyes and a host of other really cool things!

Here's an image I found showing substantial, but natural looking changes to a selfie.  (image via)  For purposes of this post, I'm going to say it's an example of an "app success".

I know a number of amazing photographers who have Photoshop actions that fix minor blemishes, bring down the shine of their subject's perspiration, smooth the smallest of wrinkles and otherwise tweak pictures.  And I have no issue with that!  They key being that they are making small adjustments and have the sense to know what to adjust...or not.

Here, my dear friends is where I things start driving me up a wall...

For the LOVE. OF. GOD, please don't edit the crap out of your picture and then lie about it.  If you aren't a professional photographer, chances are, I spotted your edit a mile away.  If I've seen you in person - a picture of you without freckles, wrinkles or laugh lines just is not going to fly. 

(image via)

Here is an example of a makeup app "fail".  See how she is buffed to the point of blurry, has an unnatural drop shadow and an almost plastic quality?

Another example (image via).  Just not natural...

I also beg that a little practicality be utilized before using one of those auto-makeup apps.  If a baby is in your picture.  STOP.  If a man is in your picture. STOP.  Sadly, I've seen pictures on one person's Facebook wall this week that featured both a very small child and a man with makeup on because common sense was not utilized before A. using the make-up app and B. posting the darn thing to Facebook.

I guess I want to say - you're pretty just the way you are.  Please stop editing yourself to the point of being unrecognizable or unbelievable.  Or I'm going to come take your phone and delete the damn photoediting apps.  Just sayin'...

It's My Birthday... and a Jamberry Giveaway Winner!!

If you know me in real life, you know that I'm shy.  I HATE being the center of attention and am very go with the flow...  However, my birthday is my day.  My one day to get the few things that I really want.  So I embrace the day! I hope that isn't selfish!

If you are following me on Instagram, you've already seen this - but I'm really enjoying seeing pictures of myself as a little kid lately.  These pictures were my grandmother's and came home with my dad after his trip to Texas last month.

Congratulations to my lucky Jamberry giveaway winner - Jennifer! You all can expect another Jamberry giveaway in the fall, and I'll be having another birthday month giveaway starting in a few days!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


I am having extra incentives for Jamberry hostesses.  :-)  If you'd like to host a party, email me or click the link on my Jamberry website!

Five on Friday

Happy Friday!!!  With the heat and humidity, it has been a bit of a long week.  I can't wait to relax...  I had so much fun visiting everyone last week, that I'm linking up with April again this week.

I'm starting my list with a brag.  I am so proud of Kristin for making her dream of starting her own photography business a reality.  Kristin is not only my cousin, but one of my best friends and we work together!  (Yep, lots of quality time for us!)  She is immensely talented and can't wait to see her business grow.  You can follow her blog HERE, Instagram HERE or on Facebook HERE.

Fireworks in the towns surrounding me start tonight.  I love living in the greater Boston area and being surrounded by history & patriotism!  Everything culminates on the 4th with an amazing show courtesy of the Boston Pops, usually some celebrity guests, lots and lots of people crowding on the Hatch Shell...and of course, the fireworks!

Image courtesy of Boston Magazine

My birthday month is looming....July 11th, if your curious! I like to share the birthday love, so I have a few giveaways scheduled through July.  :-)  The first one starts on July 1st!

Image via Pinterest (can't find an origin, sorry!)

I am contemplating bringing back "Tuesdays at the Table", my weekly recipe link-up.  I love cooking, baking, bbq'ing... and trying recipes of all sorts.  Everyone always had something yummy and new to contribute.  What do you all think?  YAY or NAY?

If it comes back...a new button will go with it.  :-)

I'm ending my list with a combination of two of my favorite things - dachshunds and minions.  Enjoy!!