Cake Smash Prep Guide

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1. The Cake Selection Guide

The type of cake you select directly affects how your baby smashes and enjoys it. Here is what we recommend:

• Frosting Type: Whipped cream or soft buttercream frosting is highly recommended. Avoid hard fondant (which is difficult for baby hands to break) or heavy chocolate frostings.
• Colors: Light pastel frostings photograph beautifully and match our custom studio setups. Avoid deep red, blue, or green frostings as they stain baby's skin and mouth, making it look unnatural in photos.
• Cake Temperature: Bring the cake to room temperature at least 2 hours before the shoot. Cold frosting is too hard and won't get messy.

2. Helping Baby Prepare (At Home)

Many babies do not like the feeling of sticky frosting on their hands and feet, or they might be overwhelmed by the intense sweet taste.

• Let your baby play with some frosting or a small cupcake a few days prior to the session. This familiarizes them with the sensory aspect.
• Practice placing them on the floor with a cupcake and letting them explore.

3. During the Photoshoot

We coordinate the session in three clean stages:

• Pre-Smash Portraits: First, we take clean, beautiful portraits of the baby in their pristine outfit before the cake is brought out.
• The Smash: The cake is introduced, and we let the baby explore. Don't worry if they don't immediately smash it—we have tricks (like sticking small puffs behind the cake) to encourage them.
• The Splash (Bath): We end the session with a warm bubble bath in a miniature tub. This is a baby favorite, yields amazing splash portraits, and leaves your baby clean!

4. What to Pack for the Studio

Please make sure to pack these essential items in your diaper bag for the session:

• The Cake (if you are bringing your own)
• Diaper bag essentials (diaper changes, wipes, etc.)
• 2 Outfits (1 for the clean portraits, 1 for the smash)
• A change of clothes for parents (in case of sticky baby hugs)
• Baby's favorite dry snacks (puffs, cheerios to stick in cake)
• A clean towel and favorite baby wash for the splash session
• A favorite small toy or music maker to grab baby's attention
• A bottle or sippy cup with water or milk