5 Tips to Make the Most of Your Cake Smash Shoot
- Grace Bennett
- Apr 6
- 3 min read
A cake smash session is such a fun way to celebrate your little one turning one! It’s all about capturing their curiosity, personality, and those adorable, messy moments as they dive into their first birthday cake. If you’re considering booking a cake smash but have questions about how it works, here are my top five tips to help you make the most of your session!
1. Plan Your Child’s Outfits Ahead of Time
Before the cake comes out, I usually take a few portraits of your little one in a clean outfit, so you’ll want to have something special picked out for these pre-cake shots! After that, you can change them into their cake smash outfit – something you don't mind getting messy.
I always keep my sessions relaxed, so if your little one isn’t a fan of outfit changes or things don’t go exactly to plan, don’t worry! We go with the flow, let them explore, and capture their natural reactions. Whether they jump straight into the cake or take their time warming up, every moment is worth capturing.
2. Pick a Theme (If You Want To!)
Cake smashes can be simple and classic, or you can go all out with a theme! If you have a vision in mind, picking a theme ahead of time can make your setup even more special. I ask parents to bring the cake and decorations themselves so they have full creative control over how the shoot looks – but I’m always happy to help if you need a second opinion!
Some past themes I’ve loved include:
Wild One Safari theme
Pretty pink frills, flowers, and tutus
Rainbow balloons for a bright and fun celebration
A gorgeous spring yellow theme
If you’d rather keep it simple, that’s totally fine too! A neutral backdrop and a classic buttercream cake will still create beautiful, timeless memories.
3. Choose Your Cake Wisely
The cake is the star of the show (after your little one, of course), so choosing the right one can make all the difference! You have a few options:
Custom-made cake – A great option if you want something specific to match your theme.
Store-bought cake – A quick and easy choice that still looks adorable.
Homemade cake – A lovely personal touch, and you can make it exactly how you like!
Buttercream cakes tend to work best as they’re soft and easy for little hands to smash into. If you’re choosing a color, keep in mind how it will look in photographs (bright red icing might stain outfits, while pastel tones keep things soft and light).
Not a fan of cake? No problem! I’ve seen amazing alternative smashes, including:
Donuts
Fruit
Pancakes
Even spaghetti! (Yes, really!)
The most important thing is that your child enjoys their experience – so choose whatever works for you!
4. Don’t Worry if Things Don’t Go to Plan
Babies are unpredictable, and that’s okay! Some dive straight into the cake, others take their time, and a few might not be too sure at all – but that’s all part of the fun! The session is all about letting your little one explore, so we take our time, encourage them to interact with their surroundings, and make it a fun experience.
If they need a little warming up, I have plenty of toys to keep them entertained. And if I say so myself, I can definitely give Miss Rachel a run for her money with my nursery rhyme singing skills! 🎶👶 So, if your little one needs a bit of encouragement, don’t worry – we’ll make sure they have a great time!
5. Think About When You Want to Book Your Shoot
Timing is everything when it comes to booking your cake smash session. Here are two things to consider:
Do you want the photos taken when your child turns one? If so, book your session around their actual birthday.
Do you want the photos ready in time for their first birthday celebrations? If you plan to use the images for birthday invitations or decorations, you’ll need to book in advance.
Your full gallery will take up to 6 weeks to be delivered, so if you want your photos in time for a party, make sure to schedule your session at least 6-8 weeks before the big day!
Ready to Book Your Cake Smash?
If your little one is approaching their first birthday and you’d love to capture this fun milestone, I’d love to plan a session with you! Whether you have a specific theme in mind or want to keep it simple, we’ll create beautiful memories to treasure forever.
Thanks for reading!
Grace
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