Cake smash photoshoots have become a popular way to celebrate a baby's first birthday. Here at Beeloved Portraits, we have a bold and crisp, true-to-life color style, as well as custom theming and an all-inclusive experience. We absolutely love welcoming families into our Oak Harbor studio to create a fun and memorable experience which results in adorable and candid photos that you'll cherish forever.
When to Schedule
Cake smash sessions are best done the month before baby's birthday. This gives enough time for photos to be edited before the big day, and also any product orders have enough time to come in for display at a party. I like to schedule at least a full 2 weeks before the big day whenever possible. We'll plan your session time around baby's nap schedule, so they are awake and happy when you come into the studio. Obviously their nap schedule can fluctuate as they grow, so we can stay flexible if time of day needs to shift.
However, just because the session only needs to be two weeks before the birthday doesn't mean you should wait to book! Our session themes are fully customizable, and some backdrops take up to 6 weeks to receive. If you're wanting a specific theme for your session that I don't already have on hand, we'll want to try to start planning around the time baby hits 9 months old.
Session Location
Cake smash sessions typically take place in our Oak Harbor studio. Being indoors gives us a controlled environment so we can ignore Washington's unpredictable weather. Our studio is fully stocked with professional lighting and gear to get the perfect conditions year round. If you prefer an outdoor session, we can always arrange to set up in one of the beautiful parks here on Whidbey Island, but we will have to be more cautious of the weather and lighting.
Choosing a Theme
One of the great things about a cake smash session is just how customizable they are. The first place to start is thinking of things that reflect your child's personality or interests. Popular themes include princesses, animals, or superheroes. My son's first birthday was Star Wars themed, and his second birthday was racing themed when he became obsessed with the Cars movie. Some parents also decide on simple theming, either with a solid backdrop or a balloon arch. Once your theme is selected, all props and decorations will be provided, unless you have something specific or sentimental you'd like to include.
What to Wear
During our session, we'll do two outfits. The first will be done in the style of our milestone sessions on one of the solid backdrops. These are to keep the focus on baby in a simple, timeless way. We'll then get baby changed into their cake smash outfit to snap a few photos with their themed backdrop while they're still clean. Once we hand the cake to baby, things can get very messy, so make sure they're wearing an outfit that can be thrown into the wash. I do have a client closet that you're welcome to choose from, but I don't always have items that fully match the theme, so it's always advised to bring your own outfit for the cake smash portion and use the client closet for milestone photos.
Cake Options
The cake we use is included in the session fee, so no need to bring your own. I love working with local licensed bakers to get delicious cakes. I usually order a simple naked cake so we don't have to worry about food coloring dyeing their skin or clothes. If you wanted something a little fancier, we definitely can look into designing a custom cake instead of a naked one. If your baby has any known allergies, please let me know and we will find a way to accommodate. We also are absolutely not limited to just cake options - we've done spaghetti, watermelon, steak, mashed potatoes.
Time to Dig In
Once we've taken a few clean photos with the themed backdrop, we'll bring out the cake and let the fun begin! We want this to be an enjoyable experience for your child, so it's important to encourage participation. Some babies are unsure of the cake at first, so we'll show baby the cake and help them to touch it, but if they're still very hesitant, we can stick a giant spoon in the cake for them to hold. We also can stick some of baby's favorite snacks into the cake - babies tend to love picking out goldfish or cheerios. Our goal is to make it at least look like they smashed their cake in the photos even if they're not interested. Typically after warming up to the cake, baby will completely squish their cake into crumbles. These photoshoots are intentionally messy, so be ready to embrace it! Don't be surprised if parents end up covered in as much, if not more, frosting as baby. Once we're finished, we have plenty of paper towels and baby wipes to get cleaned up. If there is any cake left, you're welcome to bring it home and enjoy it later.
Memories to Last a Lifetime
A cake smash photoshoot is a fantastic way to celebrate your child's first birthday while creating lasting memories. By carefully planning the theme, outfits, and other details, you can ensure a fun and successful session that results in precious photographs you'll cherish for a lifetime. So, get ready to capture the joy, laughter, and messy moments of this milestone in your child's life!
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