First birthday milestone


TIPS TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR CAKE SMASH SESSION

  • Scheduling: If you’d like to use your portraits to display at baby’s birthday party I recommend having your session take place when your little one is 10 1/2-11 months old. This will give you time to make prints and order any products that you’d like to display.
  • Bring snacks: Bring some puffs or small snacks that baby likes! This is a great little trick to help us get some great images even if baby isn’t interested in smashing… we just stick them right into the back of the cake! Also, have a sippy cup or bottle nearby in case baby gets thirsty or needs a break.
  • Avoid getting a chocolate cake. It looks… gross. (insert poop emoji here, lol) I also suggest avoiding cakes with a lot of red icing.
  • Cake prep: If you’re picking up your cake the day before your session please remember to take it out of the refrigerator a few hours in advance so that the icing can soften. A hard, cold cake is no fun to smash! For size, a 6-inch cake with 2-3 tiers is ideal. If it is too big it won’t fit on a cake stand or between babys legs. Also, you’ll want to make sure that the cardboard base isn’t massively bigger than the cake itself. The base should be no more than an inch or so wider than the cake itself.
  • Be prepared to participate! Some babies don’t quite get the hang of the smash right away so you may need to get your hands into the cake to help them get started.
  • This is going to be messy. Really messy. So be sure to bring an extra outfit for baby and possibly one for yourself!
  • Clean up: Bring plenty of wet wipes and changes of clothes. Typically studios have utensils for cleaning floors.
  • Decoration/Props: Less is more, some minimalist and neutral colors works better. The babies focus on themselves and the cake. But you can bring, toys, ballons, or garlands. I don't want parents stressed with the decoration, I want them to enjoy the session and take family photos. (50% family and portrait pictures, and 50% smash the cake)


The biggest tip I can give to any Mom planning a cake smash session is to relax. Some one-year-olds really love digging in and getting covered in icing, and some just don’t like getting messy. If it’s their first time having something sweet like cake they may dislike the taste. It’s totally normal and every baby is different! Don’t get discouraged if we’re not getting the reaction you hoped for… we’re still going to get really beautiful images that capture this huge milestone and show your baby’s personality.


IS CAKE MAYBE NOT YOUR THING?

No problem! You can bring your little one in to smash anything you’d like. Example: doughnut, strawberry, watermelon, and pasta smashes. Got something fun in mind? Reach out and let’s chat!


***I don't have a personal studio, but I can recommend some where I have worked.***