ABOUT THE CAKE SMASH
A little something about a Cake Smash session that I wanted to share with you today.
If you have ever had a cake smash session you might nod your head and smile at some of these points. If you have not yet experienced a cake smash session, this might help you prepare for what to expect (or better yet, help you throw out any expectations for how your session will go) It is the one session where you, your photographer or even the delicious cake you have ordered will have little say in how it plays out. Your little one is 100% the boss!!
Every child is different. Every reaction to sitting down with a cake is different. Every reaction to the studio experience is different. ALL of the reactions are special, unique and moments that truly must be captured. From my years of offering cake smash sessions, here are some of the reactions you can expect:
- Some kiddos love to get in there and smash the cake and eat as much as they can.
- Some kiddos gently dip their finger into the icing and might sample it or might just stare at you with icing on their hand (these moments offer amazing facial expressions)
- Some kiddos touch the cake and that's it. Game over. It's just too much and they will cry. Again, the classic crying photos are real and sooo adorable.
- Some kiddos seem to love the process of destroying the cake but have NO interest in eating it (I wish I had that problem...hahaha)
EVERY child is different and we never know how they will react until they are in the moment.
SO...
This is what you can expect when you come into my studio for a cake smash:
- Firstly, there is a lot going on and this is a strange environment for the little ones. I can imagine that it is sensory overload. I'm a stranger who is about to ask them to sit in front of lights and a camera and smash a cake (which can also be a very foreign texture to them) so I start by doing nothing. I simply let them walk around or sit in the living room area with mom and or dad. I give them time to get used to my voice.
- Secondly, we begin with a portrait session. We have some fun and welcome the giggles so that they get used to the lights and camera. I never introduce the cake until we have done this. This also allows me to create some lovely portraits for mom and dad before the mess of the cake.
- Thirdly, when we are ready to move on to the cake smash, everything is ready to go, so that when your child sits down we are able to capture the moments immediately as we don't know which of the above reactions we will see (and sometimes it is a combination of a few) I have a few tricks up my sleeve to make sure the cake smash goes well, even for those who are terrified of that icing covered mound they have been forced to sit in front of!
- Although I don't give up easily if your little one does begin to cry, I don't push through to the point of distressing them. Sometimes we have to pause and try again. Sometimes we have to pause several times.... and that is absolutely fine!!
So, if you are considering a cake smash, please don't be upset if your wee ones doesn't like the cake smash part of the session. I will always still get some images for you of the cake smash and of course some lovely portraits to immortalize this milestone.