Splish, Splash, and Smile: The Fun of Milk Bath Photography for your Little Ones
At Hocus Focus Photography, we believe that quality imagery is just one part of the experience. Since 2021, we’ve been honoured to be recognized as Calgary and Airdrie’s Best Family and Baby Photographers for our exceptional products, stunning imagery, and outstanding service.
To be honest, I never pictured myself running a photography business. Sure, I had a knack for entrepreneurship early on, but like most of us, I grew up hearing that success meant acing my studies and landing a 'real' job with a steady paycheck. Sound familiar?
I won’t dive too deeply into the math here—let’s just say the years have flown by faster than I can keep up with, and I'm happily embracing a little ignorance in that department. But I’m lucky enough to have run my photography business successfully for the last 10 years! Yes, I did the whole school thing and started out as a graphic designer in the corporate world, creating marketing magic. Eventually, though, that world lost its shine, and I started craving something new. But that’s a story for another day—so, I digress.
What I’m getting at is that life has a funny way of bringing certain people back around. You know the ones—they pop up here and there, lighting up your day when you catch a glimpse of them or their kiddos on Facebook, or bump into them at a school event.
These three beautiful girls and their mom are those people for me. I actually went to school with their mom (also a card-carrying member of the three-girls club!). We weren’t besties—actually, we were pretty different. I was that kid who mastered the art of goofing off and pulling in C-averages, while she was focused, studying hard, and scoring high-90s like a champ (still admire that, by the way—no, I haven’t forgotten!).
It’s not that we didn’t get along—we were just different. She had her sights set on big goals, while I was more of a 'take life as it comes' kind of person (still am, haha!). Yet, something keeps circling back and reconnecting us, and I think that’s really beautiful! I love having her and her girls in my studio and getting to see what’s come of some of my old school friends. (Oops, did I say old?)
The craziest part is that it doesn’t even feel like that much time has passed! In fact, our own kids are closer to that age now than we are… which is wild, considering that in my mind I’m still basically the same as I was back then (just with a little extra life-wisdom now—thank goodness!).
So, while I never planned on being a photographer, it turns out to be the perfect way to reconnect with so many of my past school friends and their families. I’m not sure that would’ve happened if I’d chosen another career, and honestly, it feels like a really special perk I get to indulge in.
Back in the day, us girls would chat endlessly about our future husbands, how many kids we wanted, all the big dreams. Now, getting to see how it all played out for everyone? It’s such a treat!
And what makes it even better? Getting to capture these adorable memories of their kids! It only takes a little reminiscing about the 'good ol' days' to remember just how precious time is—and how fast it flies. You blink, and suddenly a decade has gone by (when did ten years stop feeling like forever?). Now, three decades (and change) into life, I see my fourth one already looming in the distance, and I'm like, 'Whoa, slow down!'
But honestly, with so much to experience, each new day feels like a blessing and a fresh adventure. Okay, maybe not always exciting... but you get the idea!
So, somehow these blogs with my school friends always turn into a trip down memory lane, and I end up reminiscing about the 'good ol' days' instead of talking about the sessions themselves—which is why we're here in the first place, right?
Full disclosure, though... rolling around on the floor with a camera to capture one-year-olds was a whole lot easier in my 20s than it is now in my 30s. But that’s what Advil is for!
Anyway, onto the session! This little one is baby number three, and I've had the honor of doing milk bath sessions for each of these girls on their first birthdays. I don’t think we’ve had a single one who wasn’t a fan, but this little cherub brought all the charm to the milk bath—she totally stole the show!
We splished, we splashed, we laughed! It was an absolute blast, and we ended up with a massive gallery of adorable shots. Mom had the toughest time choosing—understandably, since her little one was happy as can be for a full hour in the studio!
Milk baths are such a fun alternative to cake smashes. They’re simple, babies love them, and the photos are just precious. The milk in the clear tub gives a lovely effect while keeping things modest—perfect for anyone who’d rather avoid icing-smeared noses and cakey little fingers!
Milk baths are perfect for both boys and girls, and they always result in those fun, adorable photos that parents can’t help but swoon over—and cherish for years to come! The simple setups also make it easy to highlight baby's natural beautify and create charming, timeless photographs.
Milk baths are soothing and moisturizing for baby's skin, so you can double up on some nice skin care for baby, too!
To my friend who has trusted me with all three of her girls' first-year milestone photos, I just wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your continued trust in my photography services. It’s truly a joy to capture the adorable moments of your growing family, and having the opportunity to work with you and your little ones once again means the world to me.
Reflecting on our sessions together, I cherish how each milk bath captures the beauty of your children. Watching them splash and giggle creates those precious memories that you'll swoon over and treasure for years to come. As I look back on my own journey, I never imagined that running a photography business would allow me to reconnect with my past school friends and their families, but I’m so grateful it has.
First Birthday Photoshoot with Hocus Focus Photography
Ready to capture your little one’s special moments? Whether it’s a milk bath session or another fun photoshoot, let’s create some adorable memories together! Contact me today to schedule your session and see how we can turn fleeting moments into cherished keepsakes. Don’t wait—let’s make magic happen!