How to Prepare for a Cake Smash Session Midland, TX

Janet Walker
Jan 11, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Jul 12, 2023

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So your little baby is turning the BIG ONE and is ready for their #cakesmash session! This can be an exciting and emotional #milestone, and as a parent, you want everything to go smoothly.

While I can appreciate that, cake smashes can be unpredictable depending on your little one’s mood. I have put together this guide on how to prepare for a cake smash session to help make things go a little smoother.

Take a Step Back

Toddlers can get easily overwhelmed with a lot of people present moving around and all the props and big lights… and that’s ok. I would recommend only the parents be present at the session and any extended family stay home or hang back. This is especially true for the really shy ones, Sometimes, little ones do better when the parents step out for just a few minutes. Don’t worry you will come right back when baby is in the groove.

Have the Cake Smash Before their Birthday

You want to celebrate babies birthday on the day or close to it, but if you want to use the photos as birthday cards you may consider booking it before the big day. I recommend at least four weeks before their birthday to ensure you get your images, cards, and prints on time.

Practice Cake Smashing

Even though little one loves exploring food, something like a big cake may be too new for them and be intimidating. Consider giving them a piece of banana bread or a cupcake to practice with. You can join in to show them the ropes and make it more fun for them.

Decide on Theme and Colors

Make sure you fill out the questionnaire so that I know what colors and props to set up for little one’s cake smash. Even sending me a Pinterest board or inspo board will help me prepare. Of course, I am more than happy to wing it and put it all together if you would prefer that.

The Cake

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You want the size of the cake to be at least 6-8 inches. Anything else will be too small or too big. I also recommend simple light colors to help with keeping little ones clean and not have stains on their faces or mouths. Also, opt for flavors that are light like vanilla. You can also as your baker for sugar-free or lower-sugar options if you want to avoid a sugar rush. I would recommend Midland Bakery, Cute Cakes, or Simply Sensatiable in Midland Tx.

What to Bring

· Cake smash outfit (in addition to what I will provide)

· 2-3 washcloths

· Baby bath towel

· Change of clothes for baby

· Bag for dirty clothes

· Change of clothes for parents (just in case)

· Diaper bag with essentials

· Favorite toy to keep little one comfortable

· Favorite snacks

· Favorite lovey, stuffed animal, or heirloom item you would like to add to the session

The Shoot

Make sure you plan for 1-2 hours for the session. I want baby to get comfortable with their surroundings first. I will let baby explore and touch everything before I really start shooting.

We will begin with the first setup without the cake. I will get the non-messy shots and then move to the second set up where I will bring out the cake.

Keep in mind little one may not dig into the cake right away, I will then take shots of baby and the cake pre-smash. If your little one does not want to dig in, I may get you to show them the way. This usually helps and they will start to take over. JJ never dug in, & that happens and that is ok. He still looked adorable and enjoyed the frosting.

Have Fun

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Whether or not everything goes as planned, make sure you’re enjoying every moment. You have done a lot of hard work in one year. Sleepless nights, spit up, lots of diaper changes, doctor visits, crawling, sitting up, eating solids, and lots more. Take this time to reflect on your little ones' achievements and feel proud of the work you have done and your babies' accomplishments. They have come a long way.