Preparation Guide Cake Smash Shoot
Getting Ready for Your Cake Smash Session
A cake smash session is a fun, messy, and unforgettable way to celebrate your baby’s first birthday milestone! With a little preparation, we’ll capture those joyful, cake-covered moments that you’ll cherish forever. This guide covers everything you need to know, from what to bring, how to prepare, and tips for making the most of the experience.
⏰ Arrive Ready for Fun!
We run a tight schedule, so it’s important to arrive on time and ready to go. Cake smash sessions are typically 30-60 minutes long, so every minute counts! Unfortunately, we can’t extend your session if you arrive late, as we have other bookings, but we will make the most of the time we have!
🥣 Full Bellies, Happy Baby!
Nothing derails a fun cake smash session faster than a hungry or tired baby. A well-fed baby is a happy baby, and making sure your little one has a full tummy before the session is key to a fun and successful cake smash. Nothing throws off the excitement faster than a case of the hanger tantrums! Babies who are hungry or tired tend to be less engaged, making it harder to capture those joyful, messy moments.
✔ Make sure to feed your little one before the session, so they have plenty of energy to enjoy the experience.
✔ Babies with empty tummies = grumpy babies! If needed, you can give them a quick snack in the car before arriving.
✔ Also, bring a sippy cup or bottle of water to help wash down the cake in between bites.
🍓🍪 Not Into Cake? No Problem!
Not every baby is a cake lover—and that’s totally okay! If your little one isn’t interested in the cake, we have a secret trick to keep the fun going. We can sneak in their favorite snacks (like biscuits, fruit, or puffs) by placing them inside or on top of the cake. This way, it looks like they’re happily indulging, even if they’re just munching on something more familiar.
📸 Pro Tip: Snacks that resemble cake pieces (like small cookies or cereal) blend in seamlessly—so no one will ever know the difference in the final photos! 😉 🎂
🧘♀️ Bring the Hype, Keep the Calm!
Your energy and mood play a big role in how your baby reacts during the session. If you’re feeling stressed or anxious, your little one will pick up on that! Stay relaxed, playful, and upbeat to help keep things fun and enjoyable.
Even if baby gets a little overwhelmed (which happens sometimes), they’ll bounce back quicker if they see their parents staying cool and positive. So, bring that hype energy, clap, cheer, and let’s make it a fun-filled adventure for everyone!
📋 What to Bring
Preparing for a cake smash session is all about making sure your little one is comfortable, happy, and ready for fun! A few simple essentials can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth experience. From clean-up must-haves to familiar comfort items, having these on hand will help keep your baby engaged and make the most of every adorable moment.
Here’s what you’ll need to bring along:
✔ Towels & Face Washer – For cleaning up after the cake smash & bath session.
✔ Spare Clothes (For Baby & You!) – You will get messy!
✔ Sippy Cup/Bottle – Helps wash down cake during the session.
✔ Backup Dummy (If Used) – Losing it mid-session could spell disaster!
✔ Baby’s Favorite Snacks – Can be hidden in the cake to encourage eating.
✔ Favorite Toy or Comfort Item – Helps baby feel at ease.
✔ Body Wash (If Needed) – We provide QV Soap-Free, but bring your own if baby has sensitive skin.
😀 How to Get Real Smiles & Keep Baby Engaged
Babies sometimes take a little time to warm up to a new setting, especially when a camera is in front of them. To help your baby feel comfortable, here’s how we can bring out those natural giggles and smiles:
🎵 Have Baby’s Favorite Songs/Videos Ready – If baby gets fussy, playing their favorite nursery rhyme or go-to song can help!
🤡 Get Silly! – Stand behind me and make funny faces, silly noises, or play peek-a-boo to get their attention.
🐶 Animal Sounds & Big Reactions – Babies LOVE big, funny reactions like sneezing, coughing, or silly sounds (think barking or meowing!).
👀 “I’m Gonna Get You!” Game – A fun chase-and-tickle game can bring out some huge grins!
🗣 Say Familiar Words – Words like “Mum Mum” or “Dada” often grab their attention and spark excitement!
Remember, the goal isn’t just to get big smiles—it’s to capture their personality and joy, even if that includes curious stares, cheeky grins, or frosting-covered giggles! 😍
🧘 Baby Overstimulation – Keeping Things Calm & Focused
Cake smash sessions can be exciting but also a bit overwhelming for some babies, especially if too many people are trying to grab their attention at once. To avoid overstimulation, I recommend that only one person interacts with baby at a time.
If baby starts tuning everything out, don’t worry! We can quiet the room for a quick reset, let them take a short break, and then jump back into the fun!
🧁 What to Expect During the Cake Smash Session
✔ Pre-Cake Portraits 📸 - Before we introduce the cake, we capture a few clean portraits of your baby in their cake smash outfit.
✔ The Cake Smash Fun Begins 🎂– The cake is introduced, and we encourage baby to explore, smash, and taste (with a little help if needed!).
✔ Bubble Bath Cleanup 🛁 – After the messy fun, baby gets to splash around in a mini bath, which makes for adorable cleanup photos!
🥄 Not Every Baby Will Dive In – And That’s Okay!
Some babies will go all-in, face-first into the cake, while others might be a little hesitant at first. That’s totally normal!
If needed, we can:
✔ Start with familiar snacks hidden inside the cake to get baby interested.
✔ Let parents help by smashing up the cake a little.
✔ Encourage baby with claps, smiles, and excitement!
Not every child wants to destroy a cake no matter what tricks we try, and that’s okay!
We’ll still capture adorable moments, whether they’re poking, smashing, or carefully tasting.
👕 What to Wear (For Baby Siblings & Parents!)
For Baby:
✔ Cute cake smash outfits (we have a variety available in our studio!)
✔ Avoid dark colors that may not photograph well.
✔ Consider rompers, tutus, or suspenders for added cuteness!
For Parents:
If parents are joining in for some photos, your outfits should complement the theme chosen but not overpower the main birthday star!
Here’s how to dress them for picture-perfect photos:
✔ Expect to get messy—bring spare clothes!
✔ Avoid clothing with big logos or distracting patterns.
✔ If you plan to be in a few photos, opt for neutral, coordinated colors.
For Siblings:
If siblings are joining in for some photos, their outfits should complement the theme chosen but not overpower the main birthday star!
Here’s how to dress them for picture-perfect photos:
✔ Coordinate Colors – Stick to neutral, soft, or pastel tones that complement the cake smash theme. Avoid logos
✔ Simple & Timeless – Solid colors, subtle patterns, or classic outfits (like plain dresses, button-up shirts, or overalls)
✔ Avoid Busy Patterns & Logos – Keep the focus on their expressions rather than distracting prints.
✔ Comfort is Key – Choose comfortable clothing so they can interact naturally with their sibling.
✔ Barefoot or Neutral Shoes – Barefoot for a cozy, natural look is recommended. If shoes are needed, ensure they are clean.
🥜 Allergy Awareness & Cake Considerations
Before bringing in the cake, make sure your baby has tried cake and icing before. Some babies react to food coloring (especially red!) or other cake ingredients, so it’s best to test it in advance. Also, some icing colors may temporarily stain baby’s skin, but don’t worry—it will fade by the end of the day!
🛁 Time for a Splash – Bath Tub Photos!
We end every cake smash session with mini bath tub photos, giving your little one a chance to splash, giggle, and clean up in the cutest way possible. Most babies LOVE water, making this a fun and easy way to wrap up the session on a happy note!
📝 Final Thoughts – Let’s Make It a Smash!
Cake smash photography is all about capturing joy, fun, and personality as your baby celebrates their first birthday milestone. By preparing ahead, keeping things relaxed, and embracing the mess, we’ll create beautiful, timeless photos you’ll love forever!
📅 Book your Cake Smash Session today, and let’s make some unforgettable memories! 🎂📸