Some photography trends come and disappear. Before you even blink, it’s a new trendy thing, it’s gone in a flash, and the sizzle goes away. And then there’s the cake smash – it’s a trend that’s steadily increasing the list of moments that will be remembered of a child’s first year which must be documented as they happen. It is a time that requires an experienced, expert photographer who can capture the wide array of emotions.
What’s the reason cake smash photography isn’t as popular? Google’s keyword planner shows 40,000 average monthly searches for “newborn photography,” 8000 for “maternity photography,” 2,500 for “birth photography,” but only 1,300 for “cake smash photography.”
The answer lies in a single word”FUD”
Hold your horses. Being a photographer myself I can tell you that we’re crazy! Before you let your imagination run wild, let me clarify the meaning of FUD:
Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt
Do you have a fear that the cake smashing session be as EXCITING as the adorable newborn portrait session?
Uncertainty: Should the parents or photographer be the ones to receive the cake?
Doubtful that the baby actually smash the cake to ensure that we (the photographer) get decent photos?
Let’s smash them in one after another. You can see what I did there. Once we’ve got over the clever jokes I made, we can dive into the topic.
What Should I Bear in Mind Regarding the Cake?
Safety: I am big on the safety of babies during all my sessions, whether newborn as well as cake smash. Babies may be allergic to egg, wheat and refined sugar, among other things. To avoid this, I always ask parents to help with the cake. It allows them to decide on the style and color.
Smash Cake Design I recommend parents purchase a professional cake. It’s usually better. I’m aware that the trend for cakes is to go for a large cake but we don’t have to buy three layers of cake. A medium cake gets the same results at less cost.
Smash Cake Colors The colors of the Smash Cake are white, pink, yellow, lighter green and white cakes appear very well and are a perfect match for all backdrops. I also like orange. It’s bright and makes pictures sparkle. Beware of chocolate, red and blue – the three don’t look great when they’re wet and the last is tough to wash.
Smash Cake Decorations: Use buttercream frosting or whipped that makes it simple for your child to get their hands on. Avoid fondant because it’s difficult to break and can be dangerous to choke. Sprinkles? Absolutely, provided you put them on the cake without having to modify the design.
Can I Assume the Baby Will Always Dig In?
Try this trick, which has always worked for me. Close your eyes and dream. Imagine a 1-year-old child sitting in front of an adorable cake. He will be listening and do exactly what you ask. “Dig in,” you say! They dig right in, smashing the cake in the most photographic manner possible.
I am sure you saw this dream coming from a mile away. It’s a fantasy, but reality is different.
Learn to remind yourself that the baby is just one year older and often reticent of trying new textures, forms, or flavors. Especially when surrounded by adults who make funny noises and cheering them on. Therefore, eliminate the stress. I suggest that parents practice at home prior to the session, using a cupcake – icing on top (preferably with the same colors), and an identical setting (i.e. everyone is on the floor). This isn’t an all-encompassing solution however, it has offered me good results. In addition, small portions of cake could help to uncover any allergies not known to parents earlier.
How do I make the Cake Smash Session an Experience?
Remember, this is not only a cake-smashing session! I am sorry if this sound like a joke, but remember this is my own experience. We must remind people that this is an event. The cake-smash is one of the few occasions when we create and record the memories, right?
Choose a theme: I ask the parents what their child’s favorite toy, book or particular character. Then we design an idea around the subject. I guarantee it will make it easier for the parents as well. Well-known characters mean known colors, which makes the smash cake design easy, and also makes the appropriate accessories easy to locate and buy to complete the set. For example, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” or Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, The Places You’ll Go.”
Remember that the cake smash usually coincides with a baby’s first birthday party. Picking out a theme can help parents with planning that crucial event as well. Before the kids even step foot into your studio, you’ll be a good friend to the kids.
How do I set up for the Cake Smash Day?
It’s time to go to the brass tabs. Create a list so it’s easy to make a plan that is effective:
Cake: Make sure that it’s at room temperature.
The Cake Stand always looks great However, you need to be extra careful. Stands are prone to fall and damage the cake.
Extra Sprinkles: Trust me that you’ll need them.
Spoon For safety: to help the baby get up and running.
Backdrop: I like seamless paper that I roll down to let the baby play on it as well. It’s true that you’ll get rid of some in the close.
Siblings: In a different room, preferably. After all, there’s a yummy-looking cake waiting to be eaten. If they are around, it might be hard to stop them from taking a bite and you shouldn’t be blamed for them trying.
Watchful Eye: Remember, babies can move quickly. Guard the cake and the other items.
All of this leads the reader into…
Cleaning up the Cake Smash Strategy
Don’t begin an event like a cake smash without a clean-up plan. Here’s the list items I always keep in my bag.
At the studio: I always make sure to keep baby wipes, kitchen paper rolls, brushes, dustpan along with trash cans, in my studio at all times.
In the vicinity: Ample towels. Particularly in the bathroom or in the powder room. If you aren’t able to access either, I suggest using a tiny bathing tub.
Parents should bring an extra pair of clothes for all family members. Bags to carry dirty clothes home.
Making edits Cake Smash Photos
Photographing a cake smash is just one part of the challenge. Once you’ve captured your pictures, it’s now time to edit the images. And , boy, does editing infants bring its own set of challenges, like getting rid of redness, blemishes and smoothing skin.
Conclusion
I hope you’ve found these cake smashing tips useful and that the cloud of fear, uncertainty, and doubt have been gone.
Menu