Jane Atter Photography

Cake Smash – First Birthday Present Idea

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A CAKE SMASH PHOTO SESSION?

Cake smash photography may seem weird to someone entirely unfamiliar with the concept, the idea of a to say the least. After all, why would you order a beautiful cake, dress up a 12-month old…and then take numerous photos of the child destroying the sweet delicacy, getting all messy?

However, the fact is solid: cake smashes are getting increasingly popular, bringing families together in a unique, fun and memorable way.

Today we have prepared a practical and a comprehensive guide with these essential cake smash photography tips for making the most of your baby’s cake smash! 

WHEN TO BOOK A CAKE SMASH PHOTO SESSION?

Typically, the cake smash photography session is done around the baby’s first Birthday, and the photos are then used to adorn party invitations or let family and friends know about important developmental milestones (not to mention the hilariously embarrassing opportunities for when the kid grows up).

I personally advice doing a cake smash photo session about 2 weeks before the actual birthday date.

why?

its simple:

• Your baby can do most things a one year old would:  Sitting up independently, smiling away, crawling and maybe standing (but not running). So we will capture all the important new achievements your baby can do, before he or she will run away from the set
• Your baby is allowed to eat cow’s milk and therefore cake by this time – good idea to try some cake before the photo session to exclude any potential allergies.
• Your photos will be ready by the actual birthday time, so you can share your excitement with amazing photos when your toddler turns 1.
• You can us your photos for the birthday party invitations and decorations

However…

And I will sound controversial now…. There is no set date or rule when a cake smash session has to be done! You may choose to have it weeks before or AFTER your toddler’s birthday.

Your child will still be one even at 13, 14, 15 or even 18 months old! So don’t beat yourself up if you have missed the birthday, don’ miss out on capturing your memory.

WHAT TO BRING TO THE CAKE SMASH PHOTO SESSION?

• Snacks that don’t stain or leave crumbles (raisons or banana pieces are the best)
• Extra Milk for your baby — being a model is a tiresome business and your toddler is likely to want a little stop
• Towel for drying your baby after the splash
• Cake — for allergy and insurance liability reasons Clients bring all the edible products to consume by the baby during the photo session.

Everything else will be provided for your baby by the studio — Clothes, Props backdrops and toys.

HOW TO CHOOSE A CAKE FOR A CAKE SMASH?

Smash cakes are just mini frosted cakes. They’re meant exclusively for the birthday baby to dig into it with their hands. It definitely gets messy but the photos are priceless. 

Should you go for the effort of buying a cake or making it yourself, there are several things I ask my parents to keep in mind when choosing a birthday cake for the photo session.

• Cake needs to have soft cream frosting, not icing, that will be easy for your baby access and squeeze. Icing might be just a tad too difficult to break through
• -If you select cream – go for neutral colours. Not only they look the best with your neutral set ups that you will find in the studio, but also Pink, Blue and Red may badly stain the props or the backdrops…
• Avoid having brown. Chocolate cake as it looks like you know what, light beige cream (such as a hazelnut cream) could work.
• Naked cake (the one with no icing or cream on the outside but only between the layers) is most on trend. If you can get one of those you have scored!

Top Tip!

You can always buy two small decorate at home cake in a nearest supermarket, take the icing off and  put the two cakes on top of each other with some wiped  double cream between the layers. Bring some berries to put on top and I will provide some flowers! Perfect cake is ready!

And that will only cost something like £15 including both cakes and berries!!

For allergy and insurance liability reasons, parents supply cakes and any edible items for a photo session.

WHERE TO GET CAKES FROM?

1. You can always make your own cake. It doesn’t have to be elaborating, It can be a simple Vanilla sponge and in case you need help making it, I offer you this easy recipe video that you can follow.

Alternatively, there is a wonderful Banana cake that is Dairy free, sugar free and egg free for a healthier option for your baby.

4 Ways to Make a Dairy, Sugar and Egg Free Cake — wikiHow

Once made just use some wiped double cream for decoration between the layers and on top of the cake. That is all you need to make a delicious and photogenic cake.

• Probably the easiest option is to buy a cake from a nearest supermarket. Its hassle free and inexpensive. My personal favourite places for the cake shopping are Morrison and M&S.

• I can also recommend my favourite Baker who makes cakes for all my parties and family events, her cakes are just delicious!!! @katita

To Learn more about prices for the Cake Smash Photo Session

download our free 10 meal plan for your baby. you will never have to think what to cook for your little one.

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