Firstly, for those of you who aren’t sure what a Cake Smash is, let me explain.
A Cake Smash is basically a birthday celebration with an awesome backdrop, balloons, and a lot of mess! Don’t panic – the mess is all mine to clear up! Oh, and not to forget, if you include a Splash too, baby gets a lovely warm bubble bath where splashing is encouraged. There is nothing more challenging than using an entire pack of baby wipes trying to clean your baby – sticky icing and baby wipes don’t go hand in hand! Think you won’t get messy, think again! When I say bring spare clothes, especially socks, please don’t ignore this vital tip!
Why choose a Cake Smash & Splash? In my opinion, why wouldn’t you! It’s undoubtedly the most fun photoshoot your baby, and you, will ever experience. Majority of Cake Smashes are to celebrate the milestone birthday of your baby turning one, this coincides with your baby beginning to express their personality. However, a Cake Smash is not limited to this age group, older children and even adults, including myself, have had fun smashing a cake!
It’s important to give your baby time to get to know me, so, before I even pick up my camera, I play with them. I have toys in the studio and use this time to create all important trust. Once baby knows I am full of fun, they will respond well to their photoshoot. Having been a nursery nurse for years I have several tips under my belt for winning your little one over. Many parents have called me ‘the baby whisperer’ over the years. I even have a t-shirt that says this now!
Photographing babies is always fun, but a Cake Smash is my absolute favourite type of photography. I love the look on a baby’s face as they smash their cake, wave their wooden spoon around and look at their parents with an ‘am I allowed to do this?’ expression. Once baby gets a smile of approval then there really is no stopping them. Their eyes light up with wonder as they explore and play, happily licking their sticky fingers and smashing their cake with a wooden spoon.
It is important to remember a Cake Smash is all about having fun! I have photographed an absolute ton of Cake Smashes and they have all been unique in their own way. There is a whole load of ‘peek a boo’ – ‘silly noises’ – ‘fake sneezing’ – ‘singing in a ridiculously high-pitched manner’ and more, to get those all-important smiles. I have had Alexa singing, CoCo Melon and Baby Shark more times than I can count! Whatever your baby loves they get, including bubbles, balloons, and cake. Now, who wouldn’t want a Cake Smash?!
You don’t need to spend a fortune on a cake; however, you must ensure there is plenty of soft frosting as this makes it easier for your baby to smash. You can bring a cake topper of your choice for photos before the smash begins. If you would prefer your baby not to have cake, you can bring fruit instead.
I have a variety of themes on offer, the most popular being, pink or blue balloons, Peter Rabbit, Winnie the Pooh and my favourite, Traditional Tea Party. I provide balloons, bubbles, a wooden spoon to keep, props and outfits, but you can also bring your own. All you need to do is arrive with your baby and a cake.
A Cake Smash is divided into either 3 or 4 parts, depending on which package you opt for.
Part 1 –
- Playing with your baby, building all important trust
- Capturing family photos
- Portrait photos of baby before smashing begins
Part 2 –
- Carnage! Smashing of the cake and making a mess whilst having an immeasurable amount of fun!
- All the silly noises etc.
- Alexa singing your baby’s favourite tunes (ranging from nursery rhymes to the Spice Girls – yes, this has actually happened)
- Adults getting messy and regretting not bringing spare socks
Part 3 –
- Bubbles and a warm bath
- Splashing
- Clapping and clean up
Part 4 –
- Choosing your images from your private online gallery
- Ordering products such as prints, albums, keyrings, magnets etc.
- Keeping your memories forever!
If you follow my top tips for a successful Cake Smash your baby is going to have an awesome time and you will have amazing memories to keep forever! My top tips are –
- Avoid naptime! Nobody wants to smash a cake when they are tired!
- Introduce your baby to the texture of cake, preferably twice, before you come for a Cake Smash. Why? Babies are sensory beings, and an unusual texture can un-nerve a baby. Imagine if someone shoved your hand in a cake for the first time, you’re probably not going to love it. By introducing the texture of cake before the Cake Smash you are guaranteeing a much better experience for your baby.
- Let your baby experience playing with a balloon before you come for a Cake Smash. It’s the whole ‘sensory’ explanation all over again.
- Bring a familiar toy or have an app/music/tv show etc. on your phone you know your baby loves. Then if we are struggling for a smile, we can use these to prompt some giggles.
- Bring teething gel/powder. Babies are renowned to be teething at this stage in their lives and sore gums means they may not want to eat cake.
- Don’t skip baby’s lunch, they really aren’t going to eat much of the cake. Make sure they have a full tummy before they arrive.
- Bring water or milk for your baby, smashing a cake is thirsty work!
- Bring spare clothes for adults, especially socks!
- If you opt for no Splash, please bring a life-time supply of baby wipes.
- Relax, seriously, the more relaxed you are the more relaxed your baby will be! It’s just cake mess and you don’t even have to clear it up, it’s all good!
A Cake Smash is not just a photoshoot, it is an experience!
If you would like more information on a Cake Smash & Splash, get in touch and I will email you a full information pack including themes and packages I offer – natalie@allixphotography.co.uk.
All information can also be found at www.allixphotography.co.uk.