Your baby is turning One! Tips for your baby's Cake Smash!

Oh my goodness! They are so freakin’ cute and totally steal your heart. Of course you want to see them smash a cake in all their adorable-ness! As a experienced Los Angeles baby photographer, let me share some tips to help your cake smash photo session go as smoothly as possible!

This little one's parents wanted super basic, all white for their Cake Smash photo shoot and I love it! The focus is on the baby. Without all the fofo props etc you can see this little guy's personality shine right through.

The Cake

I suggest staying away from red icing (makes the little one look like a clown) and brown icing (which looks like…well, you know). Keep in mind that dark icings may stain the clothing that they are wearing, and even their skin! Good old buttercream frosting typically is the best. If you do layered cake… again, stay away from the red strawberry or such filling. Fondant does not smash well, so avoid that. My preference is white sponge cake (it breaks up the best!), versus other white cakes. Chocolate can be overwhelming color-wise and the flavor is sometimes too rich for the little ones, but if you know your kiddo likes chocolate, then go with that. Size-wise, a 6-12” cake is normally best. I think the 6” ones are great personally. It will look tiny, but that is okay! You will have less waste and mess, but enough to smash!

Make sure the cake is room temperature before the smash. A cold cake is harder for the child to smash and is less appealing for them to touch. Pull it out of the fridge a couple hours before. On the flip side, if we are doing the cake smash in the summer, make sure the frosting doesn’t melt in the car on the way to the session.

The Outfit

Pick something cute, but something that you don’t care will get potentially stained. You can always let them go topless too! Bare baby skin is adorable! I also recommend bare feet, because the shoes are going to get messy with icing and such. Bare skin is easier to clean, which is always a win!

Make sure you try the outfit on BEFORE the shoot and make any adjustments needed. Overalls and straps are cute, but if they don’t stay up on the baby’s shoulder it might bother you in the photos.

The Mess

It is going to get MESSY. (hopefully) Everything and anyone that touches them after the smash is going to be messy too. Having towels and a bunch of wipes near by will be critical. A garbage bag or two or three is not a bad idea either. Keep in mind wherever we are too, there will be a frosting. It is not quite as bad as glitter, but you will be surprised at how quickly it gets everywhere! Be prepared!

Practice Makes Perfect!

Some babies don’t know what to do with a cake when it is put in front of them, or are scared of getting messy. If you can, grab a cupcake or second cake to practice with them before their cake smash photo session. Encourage them to get used to the feel of the icing and let them know that it is okay to smash it- go ahead- demonstrate it for them! That way, during the session, you can just encourage them from the sidelines and stay out of the shots.

We all look at cake smashes and think they are adorable ways to celebrate your child’s first birthday. One note of caution is not every baby loves the smash. I had one baby lose it completely, she could not stand the buttercream feeling on her finger I guess. :-( So, as much as we have good intentions as parents, be sure to practice the smash at home where it is safe for your little one to explore the textures and sensory feelings of the cake.

When to Book your Los Angeles Cake Smash Session

Cake smash sessions are ideally scheduled around 11 months, shortly after their sitter session. This timing allows for ample time to capture and deliver the images, giving you the opportunity to create prints or send out cards featuring your little one's adorable cake-smashing antics.

Due to their popularity, cake smash sessions are extremely limited, so it's advisable to plan ahead if possible.

Maxine Evans Photography offers Los Angeles' best baby photography. For pricing and availability, please reach out to me through my contact page. I can't wait to capture these precious moments with your little one!

Thanks to SAVAGE backdrops for the backgrounds!