What a way to celebrate a birthday!
Cake Smash sessions may be right up there at the top of my favorite type of sessions! I love all the creative detail it takes to create a unique one of a kind cake smash set for littles! Plus, tiny toddler toesies are SO cute are you kidding me?! It's so fun watching their tiny hands absolutely DESTROY the cake too. THE MESSIER THE BETTER for cake smash sessions I say! And the best part, parents? You get to take the rest of the cake home too. Ride home snack! ;)
cake smash FAQ
Where is the studio located?
I do all my cake smash sessions at Inspired Image Studio located in North Canton right down the road from Pav's Creamery on S Main Street! Was this intentional? đ Maybe...Hahaha No, butttt it's a great pit stop after the work out you're going to get after coralling your toddler during their cake smash session. So I guess..You're Welcome! haha
What should my baby wear for their cake smash session?
It depends on the package you book! Hereâs a quick breakdown:
High Chair Session:
-Bring one outfit for the photos, plus a clean outfit for the ride home. Things can get messyâand thatâs part of the fun!
Smash + Splash Packages:
-One picture outfit for portraits before the cake
-One smash outfit for the cake portion (think fun, washable, or themed!)
Optional bathing suit or diaper cover for the splash portionâespecially cute for baby girls, but not required.
My baby has sensitive skin-what kind of bubbles do you use for the splash portion?
Your babyâs comfort and safety are my top priority! For the splash portion, I use gentle, tear-free, hypoallergenic bubble bath thatâs safe for sensitive skin. If your little one has specific allergies or skin conditions, youâre more than welcome to bring your own trusted productâwe can easily swap it in.
I also rinse the tub thoroughly between sessions and use warm, clean water for every baby. If you have any concerns ahead of time, just let me know and weâll make sure everything is tailored to your babyâs needs.
What do I need to bring to a Cake Smash Session?
There are a few essentials you'll want to bring for both you and your little one to help everything go smoothly.
To make it super easy, Iâve created a Cake Smash Checklist that you can view and download anytime. Just head to the âFormsâ tab at the top of my website and click the Cake Smash Checklist link. Youâll find everything you need to prep for the session in one place.
Think of it as your cake smash survival guideâsnacks, wipes, outfits, and maybe even a change of clothes for you, just in case things get extra messy (because they often do in the best way!)
When is the best time to schedule a Cake Smash Session?
Thereâs a lot of behind-the-scenes magic that goes into planning a cake smash! I recommend reaching out when your little one is around 8 months old. This gives us plenty of time to plan the perfect theme, coordinate outfits and props, gives time for props/backdrops to arrive in the mail, and make sure everything is just right for your babyâs first birthday milestone. Sessions are typically scheduled to take place when your baby is between 10â11 months old, so youâll have your gallery ready to share for their big day!
Can I bring my own cake?
Yesâbut with a few important notes!
For the High Chair Session, a cake is not included but can be added on for $30 through my trusted professional baker.
For the Smash + Splash packages, a themed cake is included, made by a local baker who knows exactly what photographs beautifully and fits our setup.
If you really want to make your own cake, you totally canâbut I donât recommend it unless youâre confident in the kitchen. The cake is literally in the spotlight, so itâs not something you want to experiment with the night before. If youâve never made a smash cake before, I suggest watching tutorials on proper sizing and layering. Try a test run about 2 weeks before picture day and plan to bake the real cake 2 days in advance.
Trust me...you donât want to be scrambling the morning of with a Walmart cake that doesn't even go with your theme (ask me how I knowđ). When in doubt, leave it to the pros!
Does my baby HAVE to smash a cake? Can they smash something else?
Great question- and the answer is no, your baby doesnât HAVE to smash a cake at all! While cake is the classic go-to, Iâve had families get super creative and swap in other fun (and photo-worthy) foods like:
- Pancakes
- Pizza
- Mashed potatoes & gravy
- Steak and even ribs!
If thereâs a food your little one loves or something that fits your familyâs personality better than cake, letâs run with it! Just let me know ahead of time so we can plan the setup to match your alternative smash item.
How will I know the total cost of the package I want to select?
The answer depends on a few factors, especially the complexity of the theme you have in mind. We can keep it simple or go all outâit's completely up to you!
When you reach out with a theme idea, the first thing I do is create a detailed estimate that breaks everything down clearly showing cost of each prop that I think would really make the set one of a kind. I might even have some props already that will go with your theme of choice! So it really just depends. The âstarting atâ price listed on my packages cover the basics: studio rental, cake, cleanup, and my creative time. From there, we can adjust the add-ons to fit your vision and your financial comfort level. I always look for the best bang for your buck and the best deals on items that will save you money while creating a one-of-a-kind set for your child.
So if you have a theme in mind, let's chat and make some magic happen!
