Cake Smash Prep Guide
It’s finally here! Your little one’s birthday is quickly approaching, and while we may not always feel prepared for it, we’re excited to help you celebrate this special moment with a unique and fun Cake Smash Session! Now that you've booked, let’s make sure you’re ready for the big day and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Birthday Best
First things first, all of the big decisions are out of the way: theme, style, colors, cake, outfit/s, etc. We've taken care of all of the big ones and now need to focus on the finer details. To begin with, we want to make sure your child is as prepared as possible for their session. If your child is a bit more reticent when meeting new people, we'll plan to use the first 10 minutes as an opportunity to get to know each other and ease them into the session experience. This will help your child acclimate to their new environment and meet us and begin to feel comfortable. If your child is fine meeting others, we can begin immediately and begin enjoying this experience!
Cake Smash Sessions begin with birthday portraits without their cake or alternative food. We will have decided on an outfit that fits your chosen theme to coordinate properly with the provided set-up. This allows us to capture adorable photos you'll love & cherish before introducing the cake. This portion of your session is when we'll dress your child in something cute & cohesive we don't necessarily want to get messy.
Cake-Smashing
After these "traditional" images have been captured, we'll change baby into their cake-smashing outfit. As I'm sure you're aware, kiddos can be messy eaters. This is perfect for Cake Smash Sessions! We want your little one to dive right in and enjoy their smash session goodies. This can also mean that delicate outfits either from my Client Closet or provided by the parents aren't to be worn if there's a chance the outfit might be ruined. Luckily, there are a plethora of clothing choices absolutely perfect for Cake Smash Sessions. This will have already been decided beforehand, however I like to give a reminder so clients are aware these sessions can become quite messy.
Sometimes, little ones aren't big fans of cake. This is why I always suggest that clients have their child try cake of some sort (preferably the same flavor as their smash cake) before their session. This can help your little become more comfortable with a potentially new food and not be frightened or even disgusted by their cake. Some kids, however, just won't be fans of their cake. Whether this is because they actually don't like the cake, the new environment prevents them from calming down, or another reason we'll never understand but will remember forever. No matter if your child loves or loathes their cake, each moment is special. If they don't love their sweet treat, we'll still capture a few images with their cake (even if they're crying) and then move on to the last portion of a smash session.
Tub Time
We’re nearing the end of your Cake Smash Session! After your little one’s smashing good time, it’s time for the splash portion of your session experience.. Most clients choose this as the final part of their session because kiddos usually LOVE splashing in the the water!
For the splash portion, you’ll have your choice between a cute miniature clawfoot tub or a classic enamel basin—depending on the style we're going for. We’ll also have dry towels ready, so all you need to bring is a fresh outfit for your little one, or they can wear the same one they arrived in. It’s the perfect way to wrap up the session!
WHAT COMES NEXT...
Once your session is over, we’ll get your little one cleaned up and dressed, and then you’ll head home. Before you leave, we’ll schedule your in-studio Reveal & Ordering Appointment, where you’ll get to view your custom-enhanced images along with a few digitally mocked-up products, giving you a realistic expectation of how they’ll look. During this session, I’ll also showcase a custom collage with your favorite moments—perfect for a statement wall piece.