A cake smash photo session is a playful, delightful way to commemorate your child’s first birthday. Capture your baby’s delight, surprise, and curiosity as they dig into a birthday cake! The session takes place in our studio, which is stocked with amusing props, backdrops, and delectable cakes. Many people inquire about and book these sessions at our studio. These sessions are a lot of fun and much easier than most people think! What goes into creating the ideal smash?

Set a Time for Cake Smash Photos

Given the nature of the goal, capturing cake smash photos with unpredictable children, set realistic expectations for how long it may take. Children have a reputation for setting the pace of any session in which they participate, and some take longer than others to come around, while others choose not to participate at all. 

Bottom line: add time to the session to ensure you get everything you need. Expect the cake smash experience to last at least two hours as a safe starting point. You will not be shooting the entire time, but you and the baby will require it.

Perform a Test Run

While you might expect a baby to be eager to get dirty, most children require a little extra coaxing to know what to do. It takes time to allow the baby to become comfortable and explore on their own. Before the big day, we recommend giving the baby a cupcake to practice with. Having the opportunity to feel different textures and see bright colors ahead of time can result in fewer surprises and a smoother experience when all eyes and the camera are on them.

Check That The Cake Is On A Sturdy Surface

Any smash cake photo session must be safe. Place the cake on a sturdy surface or directly on the ground to prevent it from falling. If you use a cake stand, make sure it isn’t too light or flimsy, and consider taping it to the floor. Consider taping the bottom of the cake to the cake holder as well.

Attempt to Distract the Baby

Be prepared to get a little silly if you want to get the baby laughing and smiling for the camera. To get the baby’s attention, have someone the baby trusts stand nearby and make silly faces or play peekaboo. Singing a nursery rhyme or playing a favorite song from your phone can also help. In the event of a meltdown, keep a comfort item like a pacifier or security blanket on hand to keep the baby calm. If that doesn’t work, food is always an option.

Leave the Cake for Last

If you want family photos, we always start the session with those poses, in addition to the cake smash. After that, you can change baby into a different outfit for some individual one-year portraits. It’s then time for cake! We try to have the set ready to go before your session so that all you have to do is bring out the cake and let baby smash it.

Have Fun While Being Patient

It may take some time to get the baby comfortable in front of the camera, but the most important factor is patience. Be prepared for the unexpected. It’s normal for children to cry, but those tears can make for some of the most memorable shots. And there will be plenty of smiles and laughter once the baby warms up to the situation. Bring an open mind and a playful attitude, and the baby will follow. After all, they only turn one once, and surviving that first year is certainly cause for celebration.