CAKE SMASH 101 - WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR SESSION

You're going to get messy!

And I don't just mean the star of the show! Cake smash sessions are all about smooshing and smudging and devouring your first tastes of cake - it goes everywhere, and that includes all over you. 

You are going to want to make sure you come prepared to either go straight home and freshen up, or bring along a change of clothes and a fresh nappy for baby (yes, it gets in there as well), and probably at the very least some wipes for yourself. 

It can be a good idea (although not necessary) to bring an extra person along to cake smashes - one to get cakey positioning baby in the set/changing them etc and one to grab their attention behind me so we get those smiles they save for their special person.

The cake isn't coming home again

As nice as it is to have a beautiful cake for the first couple of shots, please don't think that it is coming home again or that you need to spend a lot on a cake that tastes good - it is mostly going on the floor!

Save the designer cake for the birthday party when everyone gets to enjoy it. If the birthday child isn't keen on breaking the cake up themselves we will do it for them and give them a big handful to hold and a wooden spoon to 'drum' with if they don't like exploring the texture with their hands (or face first, like some have been known to do!) However we get there, the end is always the same - the cake is in no fit state to take home again!

Not all kids like cake

For many children, their first birthday is the first time they have experienced eating cake or frosting. They have no expectations about what it is going to taste like, and surprisingly, many don't like it.

I always recommend either decorating the cake with some favourite foods (like berries) or bringing along some small snacks we can discretely hide at the back of the cake to get them grabbing for the target. Don't worry, I have some tricks up my sleeve for the reluctant starters. More often that not we still manage to get some great action shots and hilarious facial expressions - even if they are of disgust!

The best type of cake ...

... is often the cheapest! Good news, right?

Light sponge cakes that come apart easily make for the best photos. My go to is a pre-made sponge two pack from Woolies with some frosting and maybe a hint of jam between the layers, and a light coloured icing on top.

Flowers, fruit, figurines, candles, happy birthday signs all make great toppers and are easy to customise to your theme. Best to avoid a lot of food colouring. Not only can it stain baby's clothes, but also their skin. Red dye in particular can look like blood if it is too strong - not a good look. Dark blues and black can look like bruising - also, not ideal. 

Baby is going to want a nap after ...

 ... and so might you! If maintaining your routine is important to you then you will want to consider this when you schedule your session. Cake smash sessions are a lot and can be very overstimulating. There's bright lights, lots of excitement, a heap of attention, not to mention the sugar, and then ... it's all over and baby is changed and in the car ... zzzzzzzzzz

Best to have some quiet time scheduled for afterwards so they can sleep off the sugar crash. 

Do you want a splash with your smash?

Bubble baths or splash shots can be a great inclusion in cake smash sessions. I am happy to do this for you as part of your session by prior arrangement. We need to consider access to warm water when planning your session for this so be sure to request it before the day! I have a plastic tub we can use, or perhaps you have a 'bath' of your own you would like to include? Anything that is watertight and is big enough for baby to sit in can be used to add some fun and theming to your session. 

Less is more

When customising your session the sky is the limit. There are hundreds of backdrops available and with enough notice I am happy to order whatever your heart desires (for an additional fee to cover product and postage). That said, sometimes the simpler the better. A plain backdrop, whether studio style, at home, or in the park can all look great with just a few simple additions like balloons, bunting or a party hat. Perhaps your little one would look cute bare chested in a tutu or some suspenders? Ideally you want their nappy covered in a way that they can sit and move around freely, but other than that, there really are no rules.

Keep in mind that there will be a range of wide, mid range and close up shots so not all of the set will be visible all of the time. I have wooden ONE letters, a range of cake stands/plates and a wooden spoon that you are welcome to use, but feel free to chat about anything else you would like to include to make your session unique.

I like to lay it all out and then remove anything that feels too much so your little one is the centre of attention at all times.

Do you have any burning questions? Ready to talk all things cake smash? Reach out!

Talk soon,

Kelly x