You look at the calendar on your desk and spot a familiar date. You look closely, and it hits you—it’s your baby’s birthday next week!
You might be overwhelmed for the next couple of moments when you realize how fast the time flew past. So, it’s only fitting that you celebrate this milestone to the fullest. And one way to make sure your baby has a lot of fun is to set up a birthday cake smash session for them. Here are some tips to have a unique cake smash photoshoot ideas:
What is cake smash, and why is it becoming popular for newborn photoshoots
If you’re unfamiliar with the term, cake smash photoshoots are becoming a popular way to celebrate a baby’s first birthday. It involves setting up a small cake in front of the baby and letting them have it! These photoshoots are so much fun and always result in some amazing photos you can cherish for years to come.
How to plan a cake smash
Now that you know what cake smash is, it’s time to start thinking about how you will set up the photoshoot. Typically photographers provide all of the decors for cake smash sessions. However, regardless of who is shooting the photos, here are some steps to set the session properly:
1- Pick a Theme
One of the best ways to make your cake smash photos unique is to pick a theme. This can be anything from incorporating the baby’s nursery theme to choosing a festive theme like Christmas or Halloween.
2- Get Creative with Props
Another way to personalize your cake smash photos is to use props that reflect your baby’s personality or interests. For example, if your baby loves animals, you could use toy animals as props in the photos.
3- Choose the Right Location
The location of your photo shoot is also important. You’ll want to choose a place that has good lighting and is relatively clean (you don’t want cake smeared all over the walls!). A local park or your backyard can be a great option.
4- Timing is Everything
When it comes to cake smash photos, timing is Everything! You’ll want to make sure that your baby is well-rested and happy before the photoshoot. This means avoiding scheduled naps and feedings close to the shoot time.
5- Get Ready to Get Messy!
One of the best things about cake smash photoshoots is that they’re messy! So don’t be afraid to let your baby get dirty. It’s often the messiest photos that turn out the best.
6- Keep the appetite for the session
One of the most important things to remember when planning a cake smash photoshoot is that your baby will need to be hungry! So, make sure you don’t feed them too close to the start time of the shoot.
7- Pick a proper smash cake
Smash cakes are an exclusive type of small-sized dessert for babies. They may enjoy eating with their fingers and getting messy, just like any other child would love to do! This kind of cake doesn’t come preprogrammed with round sprinkles on top because these can be hazardous if your little one decides he wants another bite after seeing what’s inside his mouth the first time around – so avoid those pesky things at every turn (you’ll thank me later).
Tips for photographing a cake smash session
Now that you know how to set up your cake smash photoshoot, it’s time to start thinking about the actual photography. Here are a few tips to help you get great photos:
1- Use a Simple Background
When it comes to cake smash photos, less is often more. A simple background will help keep the focus on your baby and the cake.
2- Get Down on Their Level
For the best photos, get down on your newborn’s level. This will help you capture their expressions more effectively.
3- Capture the Details
One of the best things about cake smash photos is that they capture all the little details of your baby’s first year. So be sure to take close-up photos of your newborn’s hands and feet as they dig into the cake.
4- Focus on the Emotions
Cake smash photos are all about capturing emotions. So, focus on your baby’s expressions as they eat the cake. This is what will bring the photos to life.
The benefits of booking a professional photographer
The benefit of hiring a pro photographer cannot be overstated. So if you’re on the fence about whether or not to book a photographer, here are a few reasons why you definitely should!
- A Cake Smash Photographer will have the experience and expertise to capture these once-in-a-lifetime moments in all their messy, sugary glory!
- They will also be able to provide you with beautiful, edited images that you can cherish for a lifetime.
- A Cake Smash Photographer can help you to plan and style the perfect shoot, ensuring that your baby has a great time and that you end up with some amazing photos!
- They will also be able to offer advice on what kind of cake to use, what to wear, and how to set up the perfect smash cake scene!
- A Cake Smash Photographer is a great investment that will give you memories you will cherish forever! If you’re looking for a professional photographer in the greater Vancouver area, check out Artin Photography!
Unique cake smash ideas that will make your photos stand out
No two cake smashes are alike, which makes them so special! So if you’re looking for some ideas to make your cake smash photos truly unique, here are a few suggestions:
- Incorporate your newborn’s hobbies or interests into the shoot. If they love animals, dress them up as their favorite character or put them in front of an animal-themed cake. If they’re obsessed with cars, let them “drive” their cake or set up a race track around it!
- Get creative with the location! A cake smash doesn’t have to be in a studio – you can do it anywhere! Pick a spot that has meaning to you or that reflects your baby’s personality.
- Think outside the cake! If your baby isn’t a fan of sweets, try using a fruit or veggie smash instead. Watermelon, mashed potatoes, and even spaghetti & meatballs make great (and unique!) alternatives to traditional cakes.
- Make it a family affair! A cake smash is a great opportunity to get fun photos of the whole family. Dress up in coordinating outfits and have everyone join in on the fun!
- Use props to add interest (and humor!) to your photos. Large balloons, streamers, confetti, and even bubbles can make for fun cake smash pictures.
Remember to have fun and let your personality shine through whatever you decide! These photos are all about you and your baby, so make them as unique as you are!
1- No theme, just a color scheme
Take your cake smashes to the next level with some awesome color combinations. Whether you go for more simplified or tropical themes, there are always fun colors that will match any nursery decor and make it impossible not to get excited about eating their sweets!
For example, alternating pink & gold is a charming way of creating an interesting contrast when paired in different shades on top of smaller cakes while keeping other dishes balanced out visually below them.
Blue greens work well alongside pastel tones such as blues (which we also recommend using wisely) because they give off contrasting vibes without being too loud themselves – perfect if one parent has blue eyes and the other doesn’t want to be left out!
While most studios will have a few colors to work with, don’t forget that you can always bring your own to make things more personal. And if you want something outside the box, consider using black & white instead – it can create some beautiful shots!
2- Pop Culture Themes
If you love movies and TV shows, this one is the perfect idea for you! The best thing about this theme is the many options and ideas to choose from. For example, you could dress your child as a famous character, like Superman, and follow the decor theme.
You can also incorporate entertainment references with props, such as puppets, to create a Sesame Street theme.
3- Cute and Simple
The focus of the photoshoot is your baby—and that’s what this theme is all about. You can choose to skip all fancy props and decor and just photograph your baby with their cake.
Capturing the element of how they interact with the colorful thing in front of them will be the essence of the photography session.
4- Matching Outfits
If you plan to include the parents and/or the siblings (if any) in the photo shoot with the baby, you can play with matching themes. Of course, you could also channel your inner stylist and dress yourself and your baby in matching outfits like many celebs!
5- Fun with Food
Instead of ordering a smash cake, you can opt to do a photo shoot as you bake a cake with your baby. That way, your photographer will be able to capture the candid moments which make your bond so special.
You can also use the utensils and (safe) ingredients as props for the photoshoot.
6- Outdoor Themes
If your baby loves going out, you can also have your photoshoot in an outdoor setting. You can opt for places such as your garden, a local park, the beach, etc. Make sure you pack essential items like your newborn’s diapers, pacifiers, blankets, and/or sheets to lay down on the grass or sand, sunscreen, hats, and snacks.
You’ll be amazed by the difference a change of scenery makes when the pictures come back! And your little one will have so much fun being out and about, exploring new smells and sounds.
7- Animal Themes
If your baby is fascinated by animals, you can bring them to a petting zoo or simply use stuffed animals as props in your photoshoot. This is a great way to make the shoot interactive for your child while capturing their innocence and joy.
8- Holiday Themes
You can celebrate your newborn’s first year by incorporating a holiday theme into the smash photoshoot. This is a great way to get creative with props, decorations, and even outfits!
Some popular holiday themes include Halloween, Christmas, Easter, and Valentine’s Day.
9- milestones
If you want to document your baby’s first year with a cake smash, why not incorporate some milestone moments into the shoot as well?
For example, you can take a picture of your baby crawling towards their smash cake or sitting up on their own for the very first time. These are memories that you’ll cherish forever!
10- Toys and Games
This is another great theme if you want to make the photoshoot interactive for your child. For example, you can use their favorite toys and games as props in the shoot or even have them play with the cake itself!
This is a great way to capture your child’s personality and create some truly unique shots.
11- Pretty and Girly
If you have a little girl, you’ll want to make sure her photo session is pretty and girly! You can use flowers, pink frosting, and other feminine touches to make the shoot special.
And don’t forget about the outfit! A tutu or frilly dress will make your little girl feel like a princess on her big day.
12- Fun and festive
You can use bright colors and fun props if you want to make the session fun and festive. Balloons, streamers, and party hats are all great ways to add some excitement to the shoot.
And a brightly colored or patterned cake will be perfect for this theme.
13- Whimsical and Magical
To make it whimsical and magical, you can use props and decorations inspired by nature. Fairy lights, flowers, and leaves are all great ways to create a magical atmosphere.
And don’t forget about the cake! A simple white cake can be transformed into a work of art with the right decoration.
14- Rustic and Vintage
If you want a rustic and vintage photoshoot, you can also use decorations inspired by natural organic elements. For example, wooden boxes, burlap sacks, and Mason jars are great ways to create a rustic atmosphere.
15- Glamorous and Glitzy
If you want a glamorous and glitzy theme, you can use props and decorations that are inspired by Hollywood. Feather boas, sequined dresses, and sparkly jewelry are all great ways to add glamour to the shoot.
16- DIY
You can always DIY your own smash session if you’re feeling creative. This is a great way to save money and make the shoot truly unique.
There are tons of great DIY smash cake ideas, so research them before you start.
Final Thoughts
Cake smash photography is a fun and unique way to celebrate your baby’s first birthday! It’s a great opportunity to get some beautiful, lasting photos of your little one, and it’s also a lot of fun for everyone involved! If you’re thinking about booking a cake smash session, be sure to check out Artin Photography!
Artin Photography is a Vancouver-based studio specializing in newborn, family, and cake smash photography. Contact us today to book your session! We would love to help you capture these precious memories!