I’ve captured my fair share of milestone/cake smash session. I’ve learned a few tricks along the way to help make for a great cake smash session. The week before, I like to send these tips to my clients to help them prep their little ones for a smooth session. So today I wanted to share them here with you.
5 Tips for a Great Cake Smash Session in Canton, Ohio
1. Formal & Cake Smash Outfits
I typically recommend no more than two outfits. However, you know your child best if they can handle a third change, I’m happy to accommodate multiple looks. We always start with the formal option and save the cake smash outfit for last. Think about how you will use the photos when planning outfits. You could hang formal pictures in the living room, create a photo album or include them in the party theme. I’ve shared more on the journal regarding styling tips and what to expect at a cake smash session. Check out these resources if you have more questions about milestone sessions.
2. Make a List of Favorites
This could be a list of funny faces your little one makes or things they do. Although, the main goal of this list is to have a bank of ways to make them laugh, smile, dance, etc. This could include singing a favorite song, a toy that always lights them up, a song or artist that they always dance to, or games like peek-a-boo. This isn’t a requirement, I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve, but it’s always great to have one or two things in your back pocket.
3. Practice Messy Play
If you want to ensure your little one has no issues with getting dirty, practice messy play leading up to your session date. Plan the week before with a couple of messy meals. For example, you could serve, spaghetti, mashed potatoes, watermelon, or yogurt. Let them get dirty outside in the sand. This will help them get used to the feel of food on their hands.
Typically, this is a child’s first time experiencing sugar and once they try it they are digging in! In my experience, I’ve only had a couple of children show very little interest in trying the cake but this is when the snacks become super helpful.
4. Bring Snacks
Pack a few extra snacks that they love. Some kids have no interest in getting dirty. But they will eat those little puffs off the ground. If they’re not interested in the cake, we can hide some puffs in the cake to entice them to try the cake. Puffs and Cheerios are a great option because they are a lighter color and hide very well in photos.
5. Think about the Cake
I highly recommend keeping the cake icing white or other neutral colors with a nice accent color or sprinkles. Stay away from chocolate icing as it doesn’t photograph as well. It’s always a good idea to order your cake ahead of time. For OCD moms like myself, show them a picture of what you want or what matches the party theme. However, many times you can find a small, simple cake at your local bakery. A large cupcake is super adorable too!
Remove the cake from the fridge one hour before the session to make sure it’s easy for your little one to make a dent in it too!
Bonus Tip:
Bring a large shirt as a precaution. Throw it on over your clothes to make sure your clothes stay clean. No icing color stain or create oil spots in a favorite shirt.
Save this to your Pinterest board to refer back to later in order to have an easy and great cake smash session. If you’ve already booked with me, don’t stress. I will email you all of these tips the week before your session! Looking for more tips to prep your little one? Check out this article on the journal: How to Prepare your Kids for Professional Photos
