Georgia/Florida Location Guide

Since we just relocated to the area, I do not have examples for every location. I’ve researched each spot and know it will be a great backdrop for your pictures!

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Florida Locations

Fort Clinch State Park | Fernandina Beach

* Please note there is a park entry fee .

Fernandina Beaches - sunrise Session time

Fernandina Beaches - Evening Session time

Memorial Park | Jacksonville

Historic Downtown Fernandina

* This would be a great spot to add ice cream to the end of your session!

Egans Creek | Fernandina Beach

Creek | Yulee

Drummond Point Park | Fernandina Beach

Your neighborhood

If your neighborhood has green spaces or a community center, it might also be a great option!

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Georgia Locations

St. Marys Waterfront Park | St. Marys

Crooked River State Park | St. Marys

* Please note there is a park entry fee

Driftwood Beach | Jekyll Island

Oahu Locations

Here are some examples of locations. Please let me know if you have any ideas!

Locations updated April 2022 to reflect Bill 38 which bans professional photography, tour companies, and other commercial activity at some beaches on Oahu's east and north shores. Unfortunately, this removed several locations from my previous list.

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BUCKET LIST SESSION | $50 OFF YOUR SESSION*

There are a few locations in Hawaii that are on my bucket list. If you select one of these session locations, you’ll receive $75 off your session.

*Discount only applied if I can share your images on social media and website.

Current Bucket List: Ka’ena Point (North Shore side), Lana’i Lookout, Ka’ena Point area beach (example: Mokule’ia Army Beach or Mokule’ia Rock Beach), Pounders Beach

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Ka’a’awa Beach | Ka’a’awa, Hawaii

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Kualoa Regional Park | Kaneohe, HI

This location offers a few different options depending on where we park.

Parking area 1:

Parking area 2:

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Sharks Cove | Haleiwa, HI

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North Beach | MCBH
(Base access required)

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BELLOWS BEACH (MILITARY SIDE) | WAIMANALO, HI
(Base access required)

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Waikiki (Kahanamoku Beach) | Honolulu, HI

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Magic Island | Honolulu, HI

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Ka’ena Point | Waialua, HI
(Beach and/or field options)

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Mokule’ia Army Beach | Waialua, HI

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Three Tables Beach | Haleiwa, HI

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Pounders Beach | Laie

Sandy Beach | Hawaii Kai

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Wa’ahila Ridge State Recreation Area | Honolulu, HI

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Kahala Beach Park | Honolulu, HI

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Lana’i Lookout | Hawaii Kai area
(not ideal for kids who are “runners”)

Pokai Bay Beach | Waianae, HI

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Ford Island | Honolulu, HI
(Base access required)

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Barbers Point | Kapolei, HI

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Eternity Beach | Honolulu, HI

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‘Ehukai Beach Park | Haleiwa, HI

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Paradise cove lagoon | KO OLINA, HI

Cake Smash Welcome Guide

Congratulations, you made it through the first year! It’s been a year of amazing growth for you, mom, and your little one. Now it’s time
to let loose and celebrate! Cake Smash sessions are so much fun!

I absolutely love everything about motherhood and babies. Rest easy knowing that I’m going to treat your little one like my own. I put my heart and soul into these sessions and I cannot thank you enough for trusting your birthday kid to me. 

See you soon!
Ashleigh 

O U T D O O R S M A S H

Hawaii provides the perfect backdrop for your cake smash. I keep outdoor smashes very simple. From experience, balloons don’t look great as it can get windy, especially at the beach. A blanket, cake stand and a cute topper are really all we need.

M Y  H O M E   S T U D I O

I started my business after my first son was born. Because it was important to me to do something that I love that also allowed
me to maximize time with my boys, I decided to keep my studio in my home. 

My home studio is located in Aiea. The address is included in the email this document came in. 

You are more than welcome to park out front (on the street) during our session.

 

T H E    S E T

I like to keep sets simple so that your birthday baby can be the main focus. 
 

Background paper 

While I tend to stick with my signature white, let me know if you're interested in another color. 

props, banners, balloons, oh my! 

Here are some ideas to get your juices flowing. I recommend at least 6 balloons and a banner of at least 4-5 feet. 

T H E    C A K E

Where to get the cake made? 

Honestly, I've had amazing luck at supermarkets for simple cakes. You are more than welcome to make the cake yourself too! If your child has an allergy, I can share a great vegan bakery.  

What size? 

A round cake (I think 12 inches is the biggest I've done) looks best with two layers. You could also do a smaller cake with 4 layers or even a huge cupcake.  If you tell the baker it's a "smash cake" they will help you pick the perfect size. 

What about the middle?

The most important thing about your cake is that you get a white cake and avoid dark icing! Dark/chocolate cake tends to look, well, you can imagine what chocolate cake smashed everywhere looks like. 

What about the top?

While not necessary,  topper does add a little something to the pictures. You can make a little banner, get a glitter #1 candle or even add some fresh flowers to the top.

Do I have to do cake?

No! I set up powdered donuts on a cake stand for my son's birthday session. I’ve also seen adorable fruit cakes on Pinterest that would be perfect for a tropical smash. We could do watermelon, pie, ice cream, etc. 
 

I have several cake stands you can use. Please let me know if you'd like me to send you pictures of what I have.

What to wear

Girls

I love little girls in tutus, ruffle rompers, dresses, or diaper covers. I have a few items in my client closet you are more than welcome to borrow. Please make sure you have a plan to cover their diaper. A Lei po’o is also an adorable touch.

boys

I love little boys in overalls, jeans, knit shorts, or a diaper cover. I have a few items in my client closet you are welcome to borrow. 

What to bring checklist

portrait outfit
smash outfit
towel(s) & a washcloth
baby wipes
a trash bag for cake clothes
a small, dry snack your baby likes (like Puffs or Cheerios)
a lovie if your child has one   

Free newborn picture editing! | Kailua Newborn Photographer

I've sat here for two days trying to figure out how to write an eloquent description of what I want to do, but here's the truth. CoronaVirus sucks. It's ruining so much for so many people. But, I'm seeing people all over the community step up and offer whatever skills they have. Turns out I can't sew masks (my attempt ended in the trash), but I can edit!

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From now until May 3, I'm offering FREE editing if you've had to take your own newborn pictures due to current events.

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Details

You don't have to be my client or even live in Hawaii. 
I'll edit 10 newborn pictures free of charge.
Images must be submitted by May 3.
DSLR and cell phone pictures are accepted.
Please allow 7-10 business days for edited images.
There is a video with tips for taking your pictures at the bottom of this post.

Or email them to ashleigh@followingseasphotography.com

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I made this video with tips for taking your own newborn pictures at home. Hope this helps!

I put this video together to help you take newborn pictures if COVID-19 has ruined your plans of working with a professional. All of these tips apply to a DS...

Tips for taking your own newborn pictures when CoronaVirus ruins your plans

I put this video together to help you take newborn pictures if COVID-19 has ruined your plans of working with a professional. All of these tips apply to a DS...

Christmas Tree Pictures 2019

I look forward to creating these pictures with my boys each year. This is now the 3rd or 4th year I’ve done these in the second house. If you are curious about how I created these pictures, you can watch me shoot and edit them here.

Cake Smash Welcome Guide

Congratulations, you made it through the first year! It’s been a year of amazing growth for you, mom, and your little one. Now it’s time to let loose and celebrate! Cake Smash sessions are so much fun!

I absolutely love everything about motherhood and babies. Rest easy knowing that I’m going to treat your little one like my own. I put my heart and soul into these sessions and I cannot thank you enough for trusting your birthday kid to me. 

See you soon!
Ashleigh 

L O C A T I O N

There are several options for session location - the beach, a field, your home, or in my studio. There is no right or wrong answer here; however, I recommend picking a location best fit for your child. If you know your child do not like sand, a beach smash might not be the best option.

T H E C A K E

Where to get the cake made? 

Honestly, I've had amazing luck at supermarkets for simple cakes. You are more than welcome to make the cake yourself too! 
I’ve ordered vegan cakes for my son with an egg allergy from Pu'uwai Aloha Bakery.

What size? 

A round cake (8-10 inches) with two layers. You could also do a smaller cake with 4 layers or even a huge cupcake.  If you tell the baker it's a "smash cake" they will help you pick the perfect size. 

What about the middle?

The most important thing about your cake is that you get a white cake and avoid dark icing! Dark/chocolate cake tends to look, well, you can imagine what chocolate cake smashed everywhere looks like. 

What about the top?

While not necessary,  topper does add a little something to the pictures. You can make a little banner, get a glitter #1 candle or even add some fresh flowers to the top.

Do I have to do cake?

No! I set up powdered donuts on a cake stand for my son's birthday session. We could do watermelon, pie, ice cream, shave ice, etc. 

I have several cake stands. Please let me know if you'd like to use one.

What to wear

Girls

I love little girls in rompers, “nice” dresses or tulle dresses. Don’t forget a diaper cover or bloomers!

Boys

I love little boys in overalls, jeans, knit shorts, or a diaper cover.

Don’t forget you can do a portrait outfit and a smash outfit!

What to bring checklist

portrait outfit
smash outfit
cake
towel(s) & a washcloth
baby wipes
a trash bag for cake clothes
a small, dry snack your baby likes if we need to fake a smash (like Puffs or Cheerios)
a lovie if your child has one   

2018 Studio Mini Session Welcome Guide

I am so excited for our studio mini session!

Make sure to prepare your kids for Santa before the session. Go over what they can talk to him about, you can bring a letter for him, etc. If your little one just isn’t having it, we can still get beautiful pictures without Santa.

I’ve included my outdoor Welcome Guide as I feel like much of the information applies. Keep in mind that Santa will have on red so plan your child’s outfit accordingly. The rest of the sets are traditional (slightly farmhouse) green, red and white. I’ve included a link to a Pinterest board with clothing inspiration at the very bottom.

2018 Mini Session Welcome Guide

Behind the Scenes | Charleston Baby Photographer

Every time I pass these azaleas on a walk I think about how cute Rhett would look sitting in them. As soon as he woke up from his nap we loaded up the wagon with props and headed to the sidewalk down the street. I snapped this cell phone picture to show you what it actually looked like. It's nothing much, but it made it look like he was surrounded by flowers!