A first birthday is truly a special milestone and a Cake Smash Photoshoot Session is a fun way of commemorate this special occasion. 

Here is some information on what to bring for your Cake Smash photoshoot and what to expect.

What to Expect


Our Cake smash sessions usually last about 45-90 minutes. The most important thing to remember is that your baby will be in charge of the session and will determine how the session goes. I will only do what your baby is comfortable and happy with. My Cake Smash photoshoot sessions focus on the baby’s comfort, safety and happiness.


There are 4 stages to the cake smash session:

First: We start with portrait photos of the baby and focus on their tiny features, personality, smiles & giggles and sometimes even tears & frowns.

Second: We then move on to photos of your little one in their cake smash outfit before we introduce the cake. When the cake is out I encourage mess. We let the baby dig into the cake and sometimes the baby ends up destroying the cake (this is a lot of fun to watch). Some babies get right into it while others take time and need a little help. Parents have to get ready to get their hands dirty at this stage as you would be helping the baby. If the cake is saved you can take the cake home.

Third: After the mess we move on to the bathtub photos. We will wipe the baby down with a few wet wipes first and then place the baby in a little tub. The baby will be stripped down to their nappy and put in the bath with warm water (or you could put a little swimsuit on the baby if you do not want the baby to be stripped down). We also introduce bubbles at this stage to make it fun.

Four: At the end of the session we take a few family photos and weather permitting we can take a few photos in the garden.

Let' s Talk Cake


Due to allergies and dietary requirements you will have to bring your own cake. I would recommend getting a small cake approximately 6-8 inches.

A few things to keep in mind when picking/making the cake:

  • Stick to frosting/buttercream as much as you can. Avoid fondant, pearls, gum paste and anything that would be a chocking hazard
  • Avoid red and brown color cream/icing as they do not look very nice in photos (may come out looking bloody or poopie)
  • Avoid supports (toothpicks, sticks, etc) in the cake as it could hurt the baby. If you ordering the cake please mention this to the baker
  • Ensure that your little one has tried all the ingredients of the cake before to ensure they are not introduced to something new on the day that they could possibly be allergic to
  • Do not be afraid to bake your own cake. The simpler the cake the better it looks in the photos. A few examples of cakes that are perfect for a cakesmash session are below.

Things To Bring


Here is a list of thing to bring for the Cake smash session

  • Cake
  • Cake Smash Outfit. I have several outfits in my studio. I recommend bringing one outfit incase the ones I have doesn't fit.
  • Outfit for Portrait & Family Photos. Please read the Style Guide for more information
  • 2 Towels
  • Change of clothes for parents, just in case of accidents or mess
  • Diapers & wipes (loads of wipes)
  • Sippy cup/ Milk to help wash down the cake
  • Wooden spoon (if you want) - If baby does not like to get their hands dirty, they can still use the spoon to destroy the cake
  • Snacks in case the little one does’t like the cake I hide the snacks at the back of the cake to get your little one interested in the cake
  • A favorite toy


What To Wear


For Portrait Photos: Stick to neutral soft colors - Creams, whites, beige or tan are best for the set ups. Avoid bright colored clothes, clothes with large prints, stripes and writings.

For boys: shorts/trousers and a shirt/collared t-shirt would look dashing. You can even bring a nice sweater to mix it up.

For girls: a dress (with bloomers/pull up underwear so the nappy is hidden) or a romper would look very cute


For the Cake Smash: Rompers are the best outfits for cake smash session. A sleeveless and short romper is recommended so we can see the tiny arms and legs. Etsy, Shein & Amazon are good sites to find an outfit. I have outfits in my studio if you wish to use them. But bring an outfit just incase the ones in the studio aren't a perfect fit.


For Family Photos: Stick to neutral colors for the baby and parents' outfits. A dress for mum & daughter and a shirt and trousers for dad & son. Coordinate the outfits do not go with matchy matchy outfits. Read this Style Guide for more details on what outfits to wear for your family photos


Tips:

Photos with solid, soft colors are beautiful, classy and timeless.


Being comfortable and confident in what you wear can make a huge difference in how you feel and how relaxed you are in front of the camera.


 Think Coordinating not Matching



Don’t wear anything with large logos, large designs, large stripes, characters, wording or anything that will distract from you and your family.



Please send me pictures of the outfits a week before the session so I can plan for the shoot.


Ensure everyone's nails and even baby's toenails are cut and clean.


Ensure everyone's hair is styled and neat


Avoid clothes that wrinkle.


During the Session


  • On Arrival: The baby will be given time to get accustomed to the studio and to me.
  • Safety: Your baby’s safety is my top priority. A parent will assist as a spotter as I like to be extra cautious and safe when it comes to your little one. We’ll stop the session if the baby shows any signs of distress.
  • Temperature: The studio will be warm for the baby’s comfort. Dress lightly or in layers as you could get very warm.
  • Accidents & Mess: It's normal for babies to have accidents like poop explosions or spit ups. Don't worry; I’m prepared for anything.
  • Props & outfits: I have a variety of props and outfits, but you’re welcome to bring your own. Please send a photo of any items at least two days before.
  • No cameras are allowed during the session. Leave that task to me.

After the Session


I take great care to go over all of your images and pick out the perfect moments .

  • I do not limit the number of images in the gallery. Expect your pre-view gallery in 2 weeks, with a minimum of 25 images.
  • Once I have pre-edited your photos I will upload them to Pixieset ( this is a photo gallery hosting website). Your gallery will be password protected and the link will be sent to you via email.
  • Choose your favourites within one week to expedite final delivery.
  • The number of photos you receive will depend on the package you selected. If you would like additional photos after viewing your preview gallery, you have the option to purchase extra images. Your final gallery will consist of the final photos you selected (the number of photos in your package plus any extras you buy), you will not receive all the photos in the preview gallery as those photos are not completely edited.
  • Final edits of your selected photos take 3-4 weeks. You will receive a download link to download the final selected photos.
  • Prints and keepsake products will be ready for collection 4-6 weeks after the final gallery is delivered

Thank you again for choosing me to capture this special moment. I am honoured to document this incredible time in your lives and look forward to getting to meeting you and your baby.

If you have any questions or special requests, please feel free to contact me.