How to Prepare for a Cake Smash

when do i book my child's cake smash?

Ideally, 1 - 2 months in advance.

Cake smash pictures are typically used for birthday card invitations and to display at the party. In order to have enough time to prepare a set, take the photos, edit them, return a viewing gallery and have your prints delivered, I recommend doing this session well in advance. 2 months prior to your party, if using images for invites. 1 month prior to party, if using images for display. If you just want to commemorate your baby turning one, then anytime is fine!

How do i choose a set?

Click here for my Cake Smash Portfolio

I have several pre-styled cake smash sets available in my studio but I also love to design new custom sets. Please give me at least a month advance notice to design and and make purchases. All you need to do is think about what colors you like and/or what theme. Here are a few... (Click image to enlarge)

Are Family Photos Included?

My studio space is very small so I don't typically do family photos with the Cake Smash session. Although, occasionally, families don't mind squeezing into the small set! (This space would not work for larger sized families.)

How do i Choose an Outfit?

Click here for handmade cake smash outfits

Most of my clients order their outfits from Etsy, however, you can use anything you would like. You can even go simple and let baby go shirtless! I also have a few things here in the studio just incase we need it! And don't forget to bring a clean outfit to go home in. (You might even need one for yourself! Lol!)

Things to Think About

It's best to bring a baby that is well rested; first thing in the morning or right after their nap usually works well.
Make sure baby is well fed prior to your session because babies usually eat little to none of the cake.
If you suspect baby might be teething (as a lot of them are at this age) you might want to consider a pain reliever about 30 minutes before your session.

Allergies, Aversions and Options

If your baby has any known food allergies, please let me know! If you are not sure if your baby will have an allergy to any ingredients used to make a cake, I recommend trying a cupcake at home first. (This is a good idea for practice, even if you're not concerned about an allergy.) If your baby has an allergy or aversion, there are lots of other options, here are a few ideas (it could literally be anything):

Taco Smash
Spaghetti Smash
Pancake Smash
Watermelon Smash

Working with your Baby in Mind

Every baby is unique and at different stages in their development. And even the happiest babies can have an "off day." (Don't we all?) So I want to mentally prepare you for any outcome. Some babies don't like cake. Some babies don't like being messy. Some babies don't like new people. Some babies get overwhelmed in my studio. Knowing that tiny humans have an array of reactions when working with them, I can assure you that I will try my very best to make them feel comfortable and take extra time with them to get to know me if I need to.

With that being said, photography is all about capturing your baby's personality at this stage in their life. So try to relax and roll with the punches. Just think how funny it will be, in 5 -10 years to tell your kid, "You cried because we gave you cake!" LOL!

Have Questions?

Please feel free to use this form to contact me at any time.