cake smash black and white of little girl

One of the most fun and adorable events that I get the pleasure of photographing – a cake smash!

What is a cake smash?

A cake smash is a delightful event celebrating a child's first birthday; for most children it is the first time they are allowed a sweet treat. It's a playful, messy affair where the birthday child gets to smash and play with a beautifully decorated cake. As a photographer, my goal is to capture every joyful moment of discovery

Tips for Parents:

Photographing children under one year old can be a uniquely rewarding yet challenging experience. I always remind parents that whether they capture smiles or tears, it's still a precious memory. Let the moments unfold naturally. While we hope for those adorable smiles, crying faces can also create fun and memorable shots. These candid moments authentically reflect the child's personality and emotions, making the photos even more special and meaningful. Embracing the spontaneity of the moment often leads to capturing genuine and heartwarming images that families will cherish for years to come.

Timing:

There are two options for WHEN the session should take place. Some parents choose to have the session photographed on the child’s 1st birthday; others will choose to have images taken a few weeks before to ensure their gallery is delivered on their child’s 1st birthday.

I recommend the cake smash to be scheduled around your child’s schedule, preferably after nap time. A well-rested baby is much more liked to be cooperative in the session.

Props:

Little ones can get distracted and overwhelmed. Keep props to a minimum. Families often create little setups. They can include backdrops, balloons, banners and other fun props like tutus and birthday hats. Stick to a few cute items instead of ALL of them.

Location:

Pick a bright area. Either outdoors or in a room with a large window. Using flash can often scare babies – I try to avoid it in cake smash sessions.

Mississauga, Ontario has so many beautiful parks. There are so many options! Sessions can take place at the beach, a park or even in forested areas.

Get involved:

Monkey see – monkey do; be ready to get a little messy. Feel free to help with coaching them to put their fingers or toes in the cake. Celebrate with laughter and clapping to let them know it’s okay.

What to expect from me; your photographer:

During the session, I encourage the child to explore and play with the cake, capturing every moment as they dig in and get messy. Many children around this age have never experienced a sweet treat before. It's truly heartwarming to see their reactions to the texture and taste of the cake, and to watch as they discover the joys of frosting and sprinkles.

Details:

It’s all in the details. Upon my arrival I’ll help with set up and I’ll photograph some shots of the set up before it gets messy. This may include photos of the cake, the balloons and some of your child in their outfit.

Patience:

I’m very patient and flexible. You’ll find I go from clapping and having fun to quiet and just watching. I’m a new face and every baby will react differently to my presence. We can totally take breaks when needed if your little one is getting overwhelmed.

Variety:

During the cake smash I’ll take a mixture of faraway images and ones right up close. You can expect your gallery to have images of tiny hands and feet covered in cake and close up expressions.

Childs first birthday celebrating with a cake smash

Wind Down:

If you’re interested, at the end of the session, we can capture some fun and playful shots of the child getting cleaned up. It's a great way to wind down the session and capture some adorable moments.

As a photographer, I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to document these special moments for families. The cake smash is a truly unforgettable experience, and I feel honored to be a part of it.