Are you planning to celebrate your child’s first birthday with a Cake Smash? Whether you’re a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, it’s natural to have some questions. In this post, we’ll walk you through what to expect at a cake smash session, to help you prepare for your child’s special day.
PLANNING
WHEN SHOULD I HAVE A CAKE SMASH SESSION?
Typically, a cake smash is meant to celebrate an important milestone in your child’s growth – their first birthday! Most parents choose to have the session a few weeks before their child’s birthday, so they can have the photos in time.
PICK A THEME
Need inspiration? Pinterest will be your best friend. We also have a lot of backdrops and colour themes to work with. Once you know your colour palette, I will help you design the smaller details to make it the perfect session for your baby and yourself.
BOOK YOUR SESSION
I recommend booking about 4-6 weeks in advance of your chosen date, but the more notice the better. Keep in mind that depending on your vision for the set, additional backdrops, outfits and/or props might need to be ordered, and these can take some time to ship. Your photographer will also need a little bit of time to actually design the set!
THE DAY OF YOUR SESSION
LETTING YOUR CHILD GET COMFORTABLE
Most 1 year olds have never experienced anything like a Cake Smash before and so it can get overwhelming for them in the beginning. But that is ok. I work with babies all the time, so rest assured, your bub will be in good hands.
So when you first arrive for your session, we will allow a few minutes for your child to settle and explore his new environment. This always puts them at ease.
BRING OUT THE CAKE!
Once your little one is warmed up, we’ll introduce them to the cake! Hands, wooden spoons – they’ll be free to smash (and eat) as much – or as little – as they like. This can get messy, but that’s part of the fun! A bubble bath cleanup will follow so they can get squeaky clean. Don’t worry – I’ll be taking photos the entire time. Bath time usually leads to the cutest shots!
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR BABY FOR THE CAKE SMASH
Come to the session first thing in the morning when your baby has had a good sleep. Or plan a session after their 2nd nap in the morning.
Bring their favourite toys along.
Make sure they are fed before the session.
Be patient since babies can take their time to adjust to new places.
Not all kids will enjoy cake smashing. Some may be a little hesitant or even scared of the cake – that’s okay!
Last but not the least, communicate and let me know all the dislikes and likes of your baby that can help us on the day.
If you have any further questions, you can get in touch.
Or you can view our FAQ's regarding cake smash photography sessions here.