Cake Smashes/Birthday Sessions

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, YOUR LITTLE ONE IS GOING TO BE THE BIG O-N-E SOONER THAN YOU THINK!

HERE ARE SOME GREAT TIPS TO GET THE BEST RESULTS FROM YOUR SESSION!

THE CAKE: Several great bakeries or grocery stores can make you a "Smash Cake.” If you need recommendations, please don’t hesitate to ask! Please note that I do not provide the cake for your session in case of any allergies, but I do have cake stands and other props for use in your session. 

Fondant is a choking hazard. Please ask for cakes with soft buttercream icing, they smash better too! Your cake should be 6-8 inches in diameter. Please choose plain white cake. Chocolate and red velvet cake do not look appetizing when smashed all over a toddler. The same rule applies to icing. Avoid red icing, chocolate icing, or even colors that make brown when mixed together. Light, pastel colored icing colors with texture like rosettes photograph best. Please no dark colors unless it's in small amounts like trims or polka dots. Your smash cake should coordinate with the smash outfit and theme. 

THE OUTFITS:

Your cake smash session includes 2 set-ups allowing you to bring two outfits total. A cute first birthday outfit, and the cake smash “attire." The first few shots we get will be portraits of your baby dressed in a cute outfit for a couple traditional first birthday portraits. Then, take a few minutes to change your baby into their cake smash attire. As soon as you are booked, we will talk about what outfits you would like to bring and what backdrops/themes would work best. Onesies, t-shirts, and other "play clothes" do not photograph well and instead I recommend specialty items like overalls, rompers, tutus, diaper covers or pants with suspenders. Bloomers with designs on the bottom are hard to photograph as your child will be facing forward or sitting down.

Please note that anything your child wears for their Cake Smash will be covered in icing by the end of their session and dark icing and sprinkles can leave stains. 

We will keep any props you want to incorporate simple and classic. Simplicity and timelessness are often key as large flashy items and outfits can over power your little one. When you look back on these memories, you will want the focus to be on your little one and not the large props that may one day be out of style.

DO THIS THE WEEK OF YOUR SMASH:

  • A trial run works in your favor, so do it! Buy a cheap plastic table cloth and let your little one sit on the floor, give them a tub of cool whip or pudding/yogurt or get them a cupcake or muffin and let them go to town. I've found allowing them to do this before the smash makes them a little more comfortable sitting on the ground trying to eat cake here with lights and a camera in their face. Below is the rest of the prep for the day of, if you have any questions about anything please feel free to ask!

Don't FORGET:

  • An outfit you may want him/her to wear after the smash.
  • Bring something your baby LOVES to eat! That means if they love strawberries or mango, broccoli or cucumbers, donuts or chicken nuggets then bring it with you! Sometimes puffs just won’t do! If baby doesn’t want to eat cake we want them to want to eat something so PLEASE pack food your child likes that is small and easily picked up and placed behind/in/around the cake. Pouches and yogurt won’t work, it needs to be something solid. Think of things they like that are hand held and small that we can hide in or around the cake. 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! Help make it easier by bringing small portions of their favorites!

THIS IS IMPORTANT ~ PLEASE READ!!

  • Please give your child a snack and not a full meal if they wake up around the time of the session, we want them to be hungry (but not angry!) when we smash some cake. Please bring all their favorite treats, toys and items just in case they have a melt down! (It happens, they are 1!) Don't wear your best clothes in case you get frosted! ;)
  • Prepare to work out a little or a lot! If your baby is mobile, you will likely be corralling him/her and placing back in the spot where I will be photographing them. You might sweat but it will be worth it!
  • Just a little Warning - Sometimes the babies hate the cake, me, and well let’s face it, life. It's tough being one. Sometimes they love it. How they eat at home in a high chair has nothing to do with how they will eat a whole cake, sitting on the floor in a strange place in front of people being crazy in front of lights. Stage fright is a real thing, so just come in with an open mind and a relaxed demeanor. It could go either way so expectations for how long your little one will last during the entire session should be reasonable based on their personality and ability to adapt in new situations.
  • I will have a wooden spoon nearby in case we need to give your baby a little “help” smashing into the cake. Some babies are very clean and dainty with the cake and need some adult help getting messy.

SICKNESS --------- PLEASE READ!

  • IF your child wakes up sick with a snotty running nose, coughing, and/or fever not related to teething or seasonal allergies please call me ASAP to discuss options. I work with newborns and try to keep sickness out of the studio for the safety of my littlest clients. If you come to your session and your child is visibly sick (snotty/running nose, wet/nasty cough, or they are visibly miserable, etc) you will be asked to leave and your session will be forfeited. You will be charged $50 session fee to reschedule.
  • PLEASE DO NOT BOOK A SESSION THE DAY AFTER/MORNING OF SHOTS!
  • If you contact me ASAP prior to coming in, we can reschedule your session without penalty!

THANK YOU!