Cake Smash Session - Prepare for success

Celebrating children's first birthday has evolved into a time of special celebrations for parents. One of the most popular ways to celebrate is by having a Cake Smash photo session for your little one. Here are some ways to prepare to make the session as successful as possible.

Four months prior decide on the theme you would like. Seek out a photographer who offers Cake Smash sessions. After deciding on the theme and a photographer you should book that session. Booking early guarantees you can book with the photographer of your choice. Also, this will allow the photographer time to order a backdrop in your desired theme if need be. Finally, whether you are providing the cake or the photographer is this will guarantee the bakery has availability to make your special cake. In the area I live in some bakeries are booked 6 months out.

After the photographer is secured you will want to shop for your cake smash outfit. Some parents like two, one for pre cake smashing and one for the cake smash.

Now you are getting close to the big event. During the week prior you may want to have a practice session with your baby. Give him/her a cupcake and let them eat it with their hands. I've had babies not want to mess with the cake after they got the frosting on their hands. They didn't know they could eat it. Some just jump right in.

Today is the big day. Make sure you schedule the photo session to coincide with your baby's sleeping and feeding schedule. Say your baby wakes up at 11 am every morning from their morning nap. Try to schedule the session during a time that will allow you to get baby up from nap, dress and feed a meal prior to going to the studio. If the baby doesn't have proper sleep and sleeps on the way to the session they often are not very happy to be there. Or if they are hungry they will not be interested in taking pictures or smashing a cake.

Things to bring with you would include their favorite toy, a snack like animal crackers or the baby puffs, a bottle or sippy cup as cake eating can make you thirsty. Bring a change of clothes for after, plenty of wipes and a bag for the dirty clothes. And always to any photo session with children bring props that you would like incorporated in the session. Any good photographer will be happy to add to the scene.

Happy cake smash!