A cake smash photoshoot is a fun and joyful way to celebrate your baby’s first birthday. It’s a great way to connect with your baby and capture the early development stages of their lives.

However, as much as it sounds fun and exciting, it can be quite intimidating if it’s your first time.

Questions like where do you begin? How do you plan for it? What should you bring? Can easily pop up. This article will provide a simple and helpful guide to prepare and make the most out of your baby’s 1st birthday cake smash photoshoot.

What to Expect

The duration of the photoshoot depends on many factors. However, on average, it can take anywhere from 45-75 minutes. The photoshoot will be done in stages, from taking the baby’s outfit pictures and then gently introducing the cake.

The best cake smash photoshoot will let the baby set the pace. Depending on your baby’s mood, they may dig right in and destroy the cake, and sometimes, they may need a little bit of encouragement and even help to get into their cake.

You will have to be prepared to get your hands dirty and help your little one get past all that frosting to the cake underneath. It’s also best to bring toys or any other comforters to keep your baby entertained for poses or if they get cranky.

Choosing or Making a Cake

Never let a photographer provide their cakes, as it can cause risk and concerns for allergens. Try to get either a cake made or bake your own, approximately 6-8 inches around. Cakes that are too big can cover the baby and make it hard for them to smash.

Please consider the following details in your cake for the safety of your baby & aesthetics.

• Don’t have fondant, gum paste, or pearls in the cake, as they can create choke hazards. Sprinkles should be fine.

• If you are getting it done, mention the baker it is for a cake smash photoshoot. So they don’t add any support like sticks, toothpicks, and tubs inside the cake. This can make it hard for the baby to smash the cake and even hurt them.

• Make sure the colours of the cake match the theme of the session. Doing this is very important to bring a complete look into the pictures.

• Remove the cake from the refrigerator 2-3 hours before the session. This will allow the frosting to come to room temperature – making it soft and easy for the baby to destroy.

What to Wear

Your baby’s outfit should be coordinated with the theme you have decided on. Customization is the best option for this. Plan on the outfit after deciding on your inspirations for the cake smash photography session. Make sure the dress fits well and is comfortable enough to keep your baby at ease with movements. Lastly, bring an extra outfit to change them after the photoshoot is over.

Things to Bring

• Cake

• Towel

• Cake smash outfit

• 1 additional outfit for Baby as backup

• Change of clothes for parents, just in case

• Diapers & wipes

• A sippy cup to help wash down the cake

• Wooden or plastic spoon. If the baby does not like to get their hands dirty, they can still use the spoon to destroy the cake.

• A favourite toy to keep them entertained

• Bring some snacks if you feel like your baby won’t like the cake. This way, it’s possible to make your baby eat the cake and create an illusion with the picture that they are eating the cake.