Cake Smash Prep Guide
So what exactly does a cake smash session entail?? Read on to discover some tips, tricks, and lists for what to expect!
What is a “cake smash session”, you ask? It’s a session all for your little one who is about to turn 1 and smash their first cake!
The entire session can take anywhere from 25 minutes to around an hour, it really depends on the family and baby. :) Clean up time after they get messy is optional (and super cute!) as well. Usually we start with some casual or formal portrait style pictures with a pretty dress, bowtie or suspenders, or button up shirt, or something sentimental…really anything you want! This outfit does not get dirty, so those fancy outfits are encouraged at the beginning of the sessions. Then we move on to a few poses with your child with their cake (that’s matched to the theme you choose) and they usually wear a smash outfit. (Bloomers, just a diaper, bow tie or tie, headband and necklace, tutu, etc. Something that’s ok to get cake and icing all over it!) Then we SMASH! (Well, THEY smash, hopefully! But actually, and 9 times out of 10 they dont actually smash it. And that’s ok!) Most babies are very delicate in their smashing of their cakes, and you’ll have plenty to take home and enjoy together for dinner. ;) I like to focus on their face, and their reaction to the texture and tastes of the cake and icing. Sometimes we get lucky and they put their feet or their face in the cake, and it makes for some hilarious and great photos. Then either baby gets cleaned up and we are done, or we can finish with a “splash” after the smash! I have many baby tubs to choose from, and usually baby enjoys splashing and cleaning up in the tub! So that is the gist of a cake smash session. It’s a fun moment in their life, and while it’s geared towards 1st birthdays, we also do ANY age of a birthday celebration with any cake or food, and any theme!
BEFORE: Planning for your session:::
-Please bring extra diapers and wipes, and changes of clothes. Parents, don’t wear anything fancy that cannot afford to be stained. Sometimes adults get cake on them due to helping clean up their child. If you can, bring a plastic bag for soiled items also. BONUS: bring puffs or little cheerios to hide in the back of the cake in case your child is not digging the cake. The little foods put on the cake will help your child become interested in the actual cake! (Or at least look like it in photos)
-The earlier you book a session, the better. This gives your photographer plenty of time to shop and purchase custom items needed for your set. (If you book the deluxe package (which is any theme you want), 3-4 weeks notice is usually required due to backdrops being custom made and taking that amount of time to ship out.) The basic session doesn’t need to be booked that far in advance, but it definitely helps, especially in busy seasons when your photographer might already be booked up for the next few months! If you are having a party that will coordinate with the theme you picked for the cake smash session, we advise you to book your smash session 2-3 weeks before your party, so that gives the photographer time to edit your gallery, send back to you, and you can order prints to have in time for your party!
-If you can, have your baby try some cake or a cupcake a few days before your scheduled session. This will get baby familiar with the texture and taste, and also make any unknown allergies apparent.
DURING:
-Please make sure your baby is not hungry coming into the session. A happy baby=a fed baby (And preferably well rested, but we all know that is sometimes a struggle!)
-The less people at the session, the better. Babies get overwhelmed with an audience, and usually do better with less distractions. Plus it’s a new and unfamiliar place, so we want baby to feel safe and not overstimulated. Please limit the number of family members present for the session.
-Sometimes we play music to help get baby happy and in the mood to laugh and smile. We can also use stuffed animals or something from home that comforts your baby. We just don’t want to have to take away a toy and make your baby upset, so keep that in mind when bringing comfort items!
-Fresh towels are provided for clean up and our studio has ample wipes as well. Feel free to bring your own if preferred. Our baby tubs are sanitized after each session. (As is our entire studio after each session)
AFTER:
-Take the rest of the cake home, and make sure you have all of your belongings, and stick by your phone or computer because your photographer will deliver a sneak peek within 24 hours! Your photographer will share to social media at this time also, if you have given them permission to do so. (And you’re welcome to share to your personal page after they share on their business page!)
-WITHIN 2 WEEKS: Your final images will be delivered digitally to a gallery, where you’ll get to choose which you want. You will have the option to purchase additional images if you like more than what your package originally came with. It’s an easy process, where you just click on the heart of a photo to favor it, then your photographer will send the ones you picked back, in high resolution with printing rights, and you can download and print wherever. The gallery that your photos are on has an option to purchase from there, or you can print wherever you choose. You have printing rights of the images you picked, and can post and share wherever.
