Tips for a successful cake smash session

Milestones

Apr 7

Choose the perfect outfit for your cake smash session.

With just about any type of photo shoot, choosing what to wear is the most stressful part of the process. And yes the clothes are important and you want something that fits well, colors that accentuate your baby’s eyes, skin tone and hair you really can get away with inexpensive clothing for these shoots.

I know the temptation is there to get the most out of your session and put 12 different outfits on your baby. I am here to tell you that…that won’t go well. You are working on a tight timeline with little ones, after 30-45 minutes they start to implode and every outfit change eats into that happy time. I always prefer barefoot for babies. A few reasons; baby toes are cute, babies do not LIKE shoes, when babies sit you only see the soles of the shoes, and baby toes are cute.

Ten tips to make cake smash session successful:

Try on their adorable smash outfit ahead of time. Most of the time, the outfits online are not sized appropriately. Check it out on them -- see if it needs pinning or adjusting and bring those fixes with you.
Bring a regular outfit as well. Here’s an example you can use this one for girl or this for the boy.
Bring a comfy change of clothes for baby and you. During a cake smash session, it's common for parents to get covered in icing while assisting their child, so bringing a change of clothes for both baby and yourself is highly recommended, along with a warm outfit for the baby after their sink bath.
Another option for cake. If you don’t want to use a cake, feel free to use donuts or cookies. It’ll be less messier. You can have a fruit bath or milk bath.
Know what props you want! I have an array of props and even cake stands. Feel free to ask me for anything specific you want to use!
Have your baby exposed to cake before the session. Have a tester before the shoot so they are familiar with tearing into a cake. (Go to a grocery store and get a little cupcake.) Worst case scenario? Bring some cheerios/puffs -- and we will hide it on the back side of the cake so it looks like the birthday babe is eating cake when it's really puffs.
Communicate with your photographer. To ensure your photographer captures the vision you desire, communicate openly about your theme, preferred style, and any specific shots you want, building a strong rapport and trust.
Don't schedule the session during nap time. Make sure to plan the cake smash session at a time when your child is well-rested and in a good mood. A happy and energetic baby makes for more engaging and joyful photographs.
Don't force participation. Some kiddos may dive right into the cake while others may need a little encouragement. I’ll make sure to give them time and space to explore at their own pace.
Leaving siblings at home if possible. Siblings, especially those under 4, don’t understand why they can’t have cake too. This session is a special occasion for your little one, so we want to make this day all about baby!

For the boys:

My favorite look for little boys is a simple, solid-colored romper or diaper cover. Overalls or blue jeans with no shirt are really cute too! You can also accessorize their lookwith a small tie, bow tie, or suspenders.

For the girls:

There are so many cute options for girls that it can make your head spin! I personally love a cute romper or small tutu skirt. (Not too puffy!) If you’re using a dress, make sure that it’s not too stiff and is comfortable for your little one to sit in.

Avoid itchy fabrics. Knee-length dresses are ideal because they won’t get tangled in baby’s feet if she tries to stand up or crawl away. You can go as simple or as themed as you’d like!

Where to find cake smash outfits

Amazon
Cat & Jack brand at Target
Lamaze organic line at Target
Carters
Baby Gap

I hope you’ve found this post to be helpful as you start planning your baby’s cake smash session! If you have booked a session with me we will go over outfit options during the design process.

Interested in a session? Head over to the cake smash page to learn more!