CAKE SMASH & SPLASH PREP GUIDE FOR PARENTS
Hello and welcome!
Thank you so much for choosing me to photograph your little one’s first birthday milestone. Smash & Splash sessions are such a joyful way to celebrate turning ONE—every expression, every grab of frosting, every splash is part of the fun. I can’t wait to capture these memories for you.
This guide will help you prepare, know what to expect, and prepare for your cake smash day!
What to Expect
Cake smash sessions are ideal between 11–13 months old. If you’d like photos back before the birthday party, please plan for a 3 week turnaround.
Each session runs about one hour and follows this flow:
- Portraits (two outfits)
- Cake Smash
- Bubble Bath cleanup with warm water & gentle bubbles
Some babies go right for the cake, others need time to warm up—or may cry (totally normal!). If your baby hasn’t tasted cake before, a little “practice cupcake” at home can help them adjust to the new textures.
During the session, breaks for snacks, snuggles, or water are absolutely okay. We move at baby’s pace.
My style is:
- Simple
- Timeless
- Child-focused
I avoid overwhelming props so your baby stays the center of the story. Portraits are done on neutral backdrops with soft props such as:
- Small vintage bed or chair
- Rustic or cream couch
- Wooden floors or cozy rugs
We can also sneak in a couple portraits on the cake smash setup before bringing the cake out.
PACKAGE OPTIONS: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
✨ The Classic Setup (Simple & Timeless)
- Neutral backdrop (cream or rustic wood)
- Optional greenery garland
- Optional “ONE” banner
- Vintage quilts, simple props
- Clean, minimal aesthetic
Ideal for parents who want baby-focused images without a themed design.
✨ The Signature Package (Custom Themes)
- Custom-designed set in the theme of your choice
- Balloon garland or specialty backdrop
- Coordinating props and studio décor with in reason, set to my style to match your theme
- Parents can bring in larger props if wanted, but please inform me first so I can make room.
Perfect for families wanting a cute theme setup, or party-coordinated design.
WHAT I PROVIDE
- Simple garland & “ONE” sign (Classic Package)
- Full themed set design & balloon garland (Signature Package)
- Cream cake stand
- Vintage quilts, soft fur blankets (real sheep wool)
- Rustic props like wooden bowls and boxes
- Stainless steel or farmhouse tubs for the bubble bath
- gentle Johnson & Johnson bubbles
WHAT YOU BRING
- The cake (all clients provide this)
- Smash outfit or diaper cover
- Any décor you want to incorporate (please notify me ahead of time)
- Cake topper or number balloon (optional—note metallic balloons may reflect studio lights)
- Towel + extra outfit for baby
- Extra clothes for you (it gets messy!)
LET’S TALK CAKE
To keep babies safe, especially those with allergies and sensitivities, you provide the cake.
Best Cakes:
- Small buttercream cakes
- Soft frosting in light or neutral colors
- Room temperature for 2–3 hours before the session
Avoid:
- ❌ Fondant (too hard)
- ❌ Chocolate cake (photographs… poorly)
- ❌ Red velvet or heavily dyed frosting (stains skin + props, may incure cleaning fees)
- ❌ Neon/fluorescent frosting (another heavily staining one, may incur cleaning fees)
Pro Tip:
If this is baby’s first cake, try a practice cupcake at home to see how they react!
HELPFUL TIPS FOR A GREAT SESSION
- Bring wipes, towels, backup clothes for everyone
- Pack water or a sippy cup (cake is sweet!)
- Bring puffs or Cheerios if your little one needs encouragement
- Try a “practice cupcake” at home
- Avoid scheduling during nap time
- Stay relaxed—your baby will feel it!
- Expect mess, laughter, and a little chaos (this is the magic!)
- babies often cry and are shy, we will get through it by staying calm and letting them take small breaks.
- some babies HATE cake, so we can fake it with a snack hidden--wink wink
What About Siblings?
You’re welcome to include one quick family photo at the beginning if desired.
However, this session is baby-focused, and siblings often struggle watching someone else eat cake. If you bring them, please bring someone to help supervise. If they do great, we can add a sibling cake eating shot at the end, those are always so fun!
Thank you again for trusting me to document this special moment in your baby’s life. If you have any questions before your session, please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m here to help!
-MANDI
Scroll down to see recent cake smash sessions and get a feel for how the day flows:
First: The Signature Package Second: The Classic Setup
