There’s nothing cuter than watching a baby explore and get messy with their food. That’s why it’s no surprise that cake smashing is one of the most popular photoshoots for babies. It gives them an opportunity to let loose, be themselves, and have fun at the same time. A perfectly orchestrated cake smash photo shoot will capture your baby’s joy and make for some adorable images that you can cherish for years to come. Planning a successful cake smash photo session does take some careful thought so we’ve compiled our best advice and insider tips below!
Decide on a date and time
First, you’ll need to decide when you want to hold your cake smash photo shoot. The best time is when your baby is about 10-11 months old. This ensures that your baby is old enough to enjoy the experience and have their motor skills and muscles developed enough to get their hands on the cake and create a mess. You’ll also want to schedule your session far enough in advance so we have time to plan and book everything you need.
Location and space
One of the first things to decide is where you want to hold the cake smash photo shoot. A cake smash photography session is more than just a beautiful baby eating a cake. It may take a few to several weeks to prepare a unique theme, and the mess after the session is something you don’t wanna handle by yourself, and not at your precious home! At Amanda Dams Photography we have a great indoor space that has bright, natural light and is spacious enough for your shoot. And remember, we take care of everything, from the beginning to the end of the photo session.
Props and backdrops
When it comes to props and backdrops, the options are endless. Your options will depend on the theme you want to go with for your photo shoot and what’s available to you. A popular theme for cake smash photo shoots is a jungle theme. You can go with a more subtle theme like pastels or a bolder theme like bright colours. When picking your props and backdrops, you’ll want to make sure they are safe for your baby and won’t pose a choking hazard. When it comes to backdrops, there are many options to choose from. You can use paper backdrops, fabric backdrops, or even go with a wall of natural backdrops such as flowers and trees. For your props, you can go with something as simple as colourful balloons and items like flowers or something more elaborate like a stuffed jungle-themed animal. You can also mix and match different themes and props to create a unique look for your cake smash photo shoot.
The food you’ll use for smash cake
A good rule of thumb when picking the cake for your photo shoot is to make sure it’s soft and squishy enough for your baby to smash it easily but not so soft that it crumbles and falls apart easily. If you want to go all out, you can even get a specialty cake made for babies like the ones made by Cake Punk. This is a good option if you want to get more creative with what you smash into the cake such as colourful sprinkles or crumbled-up Cheerios.
What to wear: Dressing your baby
One of the most important parts of planning your cake smash photo shoot is what to dress your baby in. You don’t want to go overboard and dress them up in a fancy, dressy outfit. Instead, you want to pick an outfit that is both cute and functional. You want an outfit that is easy to clean and won’t get too messy while your baby is exploring and getting their hands on the cake. A good option is to dress your baby in a onesie or t-shirt and pair it with a pair of overalls. Another option is to dress your baby in a tutu or a onesie covered in colourful flowers. While you can dress your baby in any outfit you like, you’ll want to avoid using any clothing items such as shoes or socks that can easily fall off or pose a choking hazard.
Take care of the mess!
The last thing you want to worry about during your cake smash photo shoot is the clean-up, and we got your back! This can be as simple as a fun bubble bath (YES we do have one here at our photography studio) and a handful of towels nearby to quickly and easily clean off your baby. You’ll also want to have a few extra outfits on hand in case your baby gets messy enough that they need to change their clothes.
Conclusion
There are many ways to celebrate your baby’s first birthday, but few are as adorable or memorable as a cake smash photo shoot. It’s a great way to mark your baby’s first birthday and create lasting memories for years to come. A successful cake smash does take some careful thought and planning so we’ve compiled our best advice and insider tips for you. You’ll want to decide on a date and time, pick a theme, and plan your props and backdrops. You’ll also want to decide on what type of cake to smash and when to dress your baby. Last but not least, you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need to clean up any mess your baby makes.
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