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​At Elena Mason Photography we are so pleased to be able to offer maternity photography sessions for our clients.
There is nothing quite like the beauty, form, and connection that is captured in a maternity photo. I love creating art for my clients and maternity sessions are no different. I want your images to reflect your uniqueness and the beautiful connection you share with your baby. As a fine art photographer, I love to offer my clients several different types of maternity sessions as well as options for gowns and how the images are styled. 

Elena Mason Photography is Lisburn Maternity and Newborn photographer, specialising in classic images that showcase the beauty of this special time.  We are available for sessions at our Lisburn home studio.  With years of experience in family portrait photography, you can rest assured that you are in good hands.  We recommend 30-34 weeks for pregnancy photo shoots, while your baby bump is showing beautifully but you are not yet too close to your due date. This ensures that you’ll feel comfortable for a variety of beautiful poses. We only accept a limited number of sessions per month to ensure our high quality of work.  We recommend booking an appointment as early as possible in your pregnancy. From maternity to the first weeks of life, we strive to capture the beauty of these fleeting moments as timeless works of art.
Please contact Elena to book your own maternity photography session!
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​Let’s talk Cake Smash Sessions!
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​Cake Smash Sessions have recently become SUCH a big trend of celebrating baby's 1st birthday. I’m going to talk a little bit about my cake smash session process, and include some tips for cake smash sessions with your little one.
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Also, enjoy a cute Cookie Monster Cake Smash session with Benjamin.

I am so happy when people choose me to be their Cake Smash photographer for milestone sessions like this!
Cake Smash Session is a great and exciting way to celebrate baby’s first year! We always have lots of fun during these birthday sessions, and you have two options for the cake smash photo shoot; Cake Smash Mini Session that includes one cake smash setup, for those who want only a few images of this special milestone or Cake Smash Full Session that includes a beautiful mini portrait session besides the cake smash setup. 

My Cake Smash sessions can be as themed or as simple as you would like. Some parents love messy Cake Smash pictures, others may wish to focus more on capturing natural portraits of the birthday girl/boy as they celebrate turning one! And some may prefer a mixture! We will work together to create a custom cake smash set for your little one's big milestone! 
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In choosing the date and time, you need to keep a couple of things in mind. Are you wanting these photos back for a birthday party? If so, you’ll need to book in advance before their birthday so that you have enough time to choose your proofs and me to edit them for you. In this case, I recommend 4 weeks in advance. I also have clients that want the session to be close to the baby’s birthday, and that’s totally fine too! 
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The time of a day for the session is also very important. In my experience, 1 year old's are happiest in the morning, before their afternoon nap. I try to schedule Cake Smash sessions between 10am-12pm for this reason. 
​After you have chosen a date and are booked, I will get started planning your Cake Smash session.
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When you book your Cake Smash session we will begin discussing all the details for your baby's session: colours, themes, outfits, cake, etc. 
​Are you going to go simple, or do you have a fun theme in mind? I have a really hard time choosing between these two things. I have done some simple cake smashes, and some very involved themed sessions, and I see the attraction of each. Feel free to browse photos from Cake Smash sessions​; Cake Smash Portfolio.
If you are thinking a theme, but don’t know where to begin, start by looking at what your child likes, think characters, activities, colours, parent's hobby, etc. Pinterest is always a wealth of ideas, it’s also another great place to look for Cake Smash themes. 

My cake smash sessions include almost everything you need, so you basically need to show up with the baby - that's it!
​I will provide decorations, props and cake, I also have several outfits in the studio and you are welcome to use if you wish. 
​I work with a local bakery who makes custom cakes to perfectly match the theme. The best part is - the cake will be ready and waiting for you when you arrive for the session! If you have concerns about the ingredients of the cake or your child has any food allergies, I'll be happy to provide the info about ingredients and discuss any modifications. I work exclusively with FIONN'esse Cakes and her cakes are AMAZING! 
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Not a fan of cake? We can "SMASH" anything! Donuts, pancakes, fruit... anything your baby loves to eat (or you just think would look cute in pictures!)

​Working with babies you can always expect the unexpected. Please don’t be shocked if they don’t want to eat the cake, it’s completely normal! They are used to eating tiny pieces of food and we put a huge cake in front of them, most babies are totally confused! Some are extremely happy!
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Remember the baby is just one year old and is often shy of exploring a new texture, shape or taste, especially when surrounded by adults making funny noises and clapping to encourage them. It is a good idea to do a trial run at home a few days before with a cupcake with buttercream icing. Some babies have never had sweets before, or have a hard time feeling dirty or messy. Giving them a chance to explore for the first time at home can make it easier on the day of the session.  A trial run works in your favour, so do it!
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If you have chosen to have me provide everything, mostly you just need to show up with your baby, but there are some things you can bring along that can be helpful.

*Clothes. If I am providing the outfit, baby can come in anything you would like. If you would like photos done in more than just the cake smash outfit, please feel free to bring along another outfit you would like photos in. 
*Extra clothes for you. Bring a change of clothes for yourself in case you get covered too. Some parents leave as covered in cake as their baby, some parents are luckier, and only get a few spots.
*Water and snacks (BRIBE). Sometimes puffs just won’t do! If baby doesn’t want to eat a cake, we want them to want to eat something so pack food your child likes that is small and easily picked up. Babies get thirsty, and after eating a sweet cake cake, they’re going to want to have a drink. 

Due to the current situation (covid-19) and other several reasons sessions will be limited to immediate family only. Only the people being photographed (parents, sibling, etc) will be welcome for sessions for the time being, extended family will be restricted from sessions.
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​Your gallery is ready for viewing  approximately 3-4 weeks after your newborn session. You will receive an online proofing gallery where you will then be able to choose your favorite images and place your order. I then edit and perfect those chosen images and return them to you in a final gallery where you can download them right to your computer. You will also receive the USB with your chosen images.
Mounted prints, albums and wall art can take up to 3-4 weeks from order date. 
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​Are you preparing to welcome a beautiful little bundle into your family? Perhaps your first newborn baby or even your third, if you are considering having some stunning professional newborn photographs taken of your baby and your family, then this article is a must read for you.
What are the most important factors to consider when deciding on your Lisburn Newborn Photographer?
With many talented photographers in Northern Ireland, it can be overwhelming trying to find the perfect photographer amongst the sea of ‘professional’ newborn photographers. Your baby is only this little once and you can’t get that time back so it is a decision you will want to seriously consider.
​Here are few tips to help you find right Newborn Photographer while looking through their portfolio:
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​The most important thing is for you to look through their portfolio for certain criteria.
1. The pictures should be classic and timeless in nature.
These portraits will hopefully be an heirloom you will pass on to future generations. Pictures that show off the latest fads such as vignetting, textured backgrounds, and selective coloring (when all of the picture is black and white except for one small part that remains in color) – will look dated in a few years.
2. The baby should be the focus of the portraits.
When you look through the pictures, ask yourself “What is the first thing I notice?” Are you marveling at how precious the baby is, or finding yourself distracted amidst scenes of fake flowers, huge headbands, tutus, stuffed animals etc.?
Often, the less “stuff” or props that are in the pictures, the better the photographer is. They have the ability to skillfully pose your baby so that he is the sole focus of your portraits.
3. The baby should look comfortable, relaxed, and peaceful in the portraits.
As in all portraits, the facial expression is very important. Newborns are so pliable and can be put into all kinds of amazing positions in their first couple weeks of life. They are positions that might look uncomfortable to us, but actually are quite comfortable to the baby as they mimic how they were positioned in the womb. A skilled photographer will be able to pose the baby tucked with their feet up by their chin, accompanied by a peaceful, sleepy – even sometimes smiling face.

​While all newborn photographers have to start somewhere, it is worth considering whether you are comfortable handing your baby over to an amateur photographer.
- Is the photographer an actual business - registered and insured?
- What training do they have - photographically?
- What courses and workshops have they attended that specialise in photographing newborn babies? 
- Is newborn photography their full time job, part time job or is it a hobby?
- What poses will they use, are the props safe?
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​Do you still have questions? Please get in touch! Feel free to email me at lenamason@hotmail.co.uk or simply complete the contact form below and we will email you as soon as we can. I would be more than happy answer any questions you may have.

Please take some time to look around! Be sure to visit the portfolio galleries to see my favorite images
MATERNITY GALLERY, NEWBORN GALLERY, SITTER GALLERY, CAKE SMASH GALLERY and also my Facebook and Instagram  to see my most recent work.​

As a photographer I get to meet a lot of wonderful families and this was one of them! 
How adorable is this little cake smasher?  Time goes by way too quickly... I can't believe it's been a year since this little guys newborn session.

Are you planning to celebrate your little one's first birthday with a Cake Smash? We would love to be part of capturing these ages and stages! Please fill out this Inquiry Form and we’ll contact you about availability and send you our most current Product Guide, and let you know the next step to locking in your session.