How to get ready for a cake smash | Chagrin Falls, Ohio | Best Baby photographer

Cake smash sessions are always a favorite of mine! They can be so fun, stress free and full of giggles. Especially if you plan early enough. I recommend booking a cake smash a few months ahead of time, in order to plan the session. I’m always happy to coordinate the planned theme. Many times moms know exactly what they want for the first birthday.

Other times I have heard, “I have no clue”… Any ideas?!

Of course I have some great ideas! I also recommend bringing the outfit and cake to the shoot. I can provide most of the decor and balloons for the session.

Be Prepared for Anything!

Those are the basics of how to get ready for a cake smash session beforehand. Once you show up at the studio, the best advice I can give is to be prepared for anything! As long as you are relaxed and ready to have fun that will go a long way to helping your baby do the same as we celebrate their birthday

Have more questions about how to get ready for a cake smash session? Please reach out and I would be happy to do a phone consult and plan the cake smash session!

~Danelle

Lifestyle Newborn Session | Newborn Photography | Award Winning Photographer

This time of year can be so cold and bitter. Who wants to venture out of their home especially with a newborn?! No one, right! How nice would it sound if I said you could stay home while I bring everything to you! Amazing right. Why bundle up and venture out. This is exactly why I like to offer Lifestyle Newborn Shoots in the comforts of your own home. What is a Lifestyle Newborn Shoot? I get asked this many times and many people have told me they don’t just want candid photos. That is why I bring all my newborn items with me and you get both candid shots plus all the prop newborn shoots. All in the comforts of your own home. The only requirement I need is a nice window lit 4 ft x 4ft area. Usually a patio slider door works perfectly, and has beautiful light coming through even on the darkest day.

Depending on how the baby is acting I like to start with the wrapped prop and bean bag poses. They look very similar to what you see here in my gallery. After I’m done with the newborn shoots we move on to the lifestyle (candid) shots throughout the home. Places that work the best are living room, nursery and master bedroom.

I am now booking newborns for 2023, and I offer both in studio and on location shoots. Please reach out for more pricing and booking information.

Best in Photography / Award Winning Photography/ Cleveland, Ohio Newborn Photographer

I’m so happy to announce I won the “Best in Photography” for the city of Painesville, Ohio. This is my 3rd time winning this award and 2nd year in a row. I can’t thank everyone enough for trusting me year after year with your precious photos. I look forward to creating many more memories together!

The Wonder of Fall | Fall Mini Sessions | Cleveland Ohio | Northeast Ohio

This years fall colors really have been quite beautiful. Add on the warm weather with the gold, yellow and red leaves and it made for the perfect fall in September and October. These two months are also a favorite month of mine to hold my fall mini sessions. What are fall mini sessions compared to regular sessions? Throughout the year I always hold a regular and petite session for those who are in need of shots. Those sessions are typical 1 hour or 30 minutes for the petite. They can often be 1 hour before sunset and are less rushed more fun and creative with the family.

However, my mini sessions which are only offered a few times a year are 20 minute sessions and scheduled in blocks of time. So they are a bit more rushed and more quick photos (a little less time to be super creative). But they are perfect for those who only want a few updated photos of the family or have little kids who they know won't sit still for longer than 20 minutes. My minis always have a full gallery sent of 25 images and you have the option to choose your favorite 10 images.

For more information, please reach out! I would love to hear from you:)

Signature Photo Sessions | Now offering Digitals & Video | Newborn Photography | Northeast Ohio

When it comes to professional photography it can be an investment from start to finish. I completely understand the time, energy and finances it takes from the moment you start googling “photographers near me” to the actual shoot day. The process can be daunting, whether your expecting and want every moment of your newborns life captured or your a busy mom of 3 who desperately needs updated photos. Its all a process from choosing and researching the best photographer for your family to coordinating outfits. My goal is to help take the stress out of those moments.

When booking with Danelle Joy Photography the very first thing I like to do is a Pre-session consult. This can be done via phone or email and its my chance to understand your needs, style and goals for the photo shoot. After all, anyone can take some quick pics of your family, but you want more than that, you want treasured moments.

The Pre-session consult includes discussing the best type of package, location and expectations during the shoot. I am also always happy to include my professional opinion for clothing choices as well. I have put together many articles that focus on starting in your own closet first and adding little pieces of clothing into the mix. You don’t need to go broke just for the photo shoot. I usually recommend many of my clothing finds from Target, Tj Maxx and Old navy.

Since I understand it is a large investment, NEW this year and included with my Signature Family and Newborn sessions is a custom 8x8 photo book and Video. I believe after all, you should receive more than just digital images from your session. The photo book is hand selected and created by me, featuring the favorite photos. I am so excited to be offering a Video new this year. This will be a collection of behind the scenes and photos all put together like a slideshow. Oh cool is that.

My overall goal is to create a beautiful and lasting experience for you. If you are thinking of family photos for the spring and summer it is better to book more sooner than later. My 2020 calendar is starting to fill. Please contact me today for your next custom photo session.

The benefits of Newborn Lifestyle Photography | Cleveland, Ohio | Lake County, Ohio

Those tiny toes, the fluttering eyelashes, the way they grasp their parents’ fingers. These are the moments that parents want to record and keep forever.  There really is two different types of Newborn Photography today. There is the traditional Newborn Photography which is the type of photos you see with babies in baskets, bowls and backdrops. I currently offer this type of photography and is done at all of my newborn sessions. I also have a variety of “high-end” wraps, headbands and accessories to choose from while customizing your session.

The second type of Newborn photography is known as Lifestyle photography. So what exactly is this? This is more like photojournalism in that it is designed to tell a story, and document the baby with their new surroundings. These tend to be shots that are more real and less staged, designed to capture the essence of having a newborn. This is truly my favorite since it allows poses to be natural, unposed and artistic all at the same time. The true benefit of Lifestyle photography is the session takes place in the comforts of your OWN home! How great is that! Especially after coming home from the hospital, who really wants to leave to go get pictures taken. I am happy to bring everything to you! At my Lifestyle sessions, I bring all of my props, swaddles and accessories with me. I do a combination of traditional newborn poses so you don’t miss out on those plus lifestyle photography throughout your home. No worries if you have high energy toddlers at home too. I will capture those true smiles and laughs all while incorporating the newest member of your family:)

I currently blend in a 3rd option with all of my newborn sessions. I have become known as the “unposed” Newborn photography style. This typically is a white sheet with a white wrap flowing around the baby. I love this new unique style that looks as it should. Unposed and 100% natural at the same time. Please look below for examples of my most recent lifestyle session that took place.

My spring calendar is filling up, Contact me today if your interested in booking your Newborn Session today!