Cake Smash Sessions

We’re so excited to help celebrate your little one’s first birthday! Before your cake smash session, we’ll chat with you about the theme you'd like to go with. We take care of the cake and decorations to ensure everything matches your theme. For many themes, we also offer matching outfits, or you can bring your own - this is something we’ll go over with you in advance.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Babies may need a few minutes to warm up - totally normal! We'll start with some play and chatting to help them settle in. Parents, your smiles and calm energy help a lot, so dress comfy and be ready to join in. And please, bring the good vibes only!

Cake smash sessions typically last 45–60 minutes and includes:

1. Portraits without the cake (classic outfits). We do this first to ensure baby is nice and clean for some fancy portraits!

2. The cake smash! (the fun, messy part)

3. Splash bath photos in a mini bathtub and finally a few photos of baby wrapped in a towel at the very end!

VERY IMPORTANT: Please have your child try store-bought cake at least one week before your session to check for any potential allergies. Our cakes are either yellow or white cake with white buttercream or whipped cream frosting and contain common allergens such as eggs and milk.

If your child has known allergies or sensitivities, you’ll need to bring your own safe cake. We've had instances where allergies were discovered right before a session simply from trying cake at home, so we kindly ask that you test ahead of time to help ensure a safe and stress-free experience.

RIGHT BEFORE YOUR SESSION

• We recommend feeding baby before their cake smash session enough so that they aren’t crabby when they arrive, however please don’t overfeed them. We want a happy but somewhat hungry baby - just enough to encourage them to want to eat the cake!

• Try to keep baby on normal nap times the day of their session. We want baby arriving well rested!

WHAT TO BRING

• 1–2 outfits for your baby (we will discuss ahead of time if we will be providing the outfit or you)

• For female babies - a bathing suit for the splash bath

• Swim diaper for splash bath

• Favorite snack or treat (puffs, Cheerios, etc.)

• A clean outfit for baby to go home in

• A sippy cup with water/juice or bottle

• Extra diapers

• Change of clothes for parents if you're getting in photos (this is ONLY if you are including family photos into the session)

• Rattles or child’s favorite toy - anything that gets their attention and they love!

• Preferred hairbrush for child

WHAT SHOULD BABY WEAR?

• For portraits: simple, timeless outfits work best (rompers, suspenders, tutus, etc.) (client or photographer provides - will discuss ahead of time)

• For the smash: themed outfit is recommended (client or photographer provides)

• Avoid logos, writing, or neon colors that may distract

• Don’t forget accessories: headbands, hats, or bowties (optional)

THE CAKE

If we are providing the cake, it will be:

• Designed to match your chosen theme

• Homemade! Yes, we make our cakes! We have found we are able to make them to our exact specifications more efficiently than store-bought cakes. Our cakes are softer and lighter for babies (easier to stick their fingers in and easier on their tummies!)

• Ingredients we use: Betty Crocker super moist white or yellow cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, sugar and heavy whipping cream (for the frosting)

If you are bringing your own cake, please make sure it is:

• White or yellow cake with a white soft buttercream or whipped frosting is best

• Avoid chocolate and coloring dyes (they stain clothes and don’t photograph well)

• Keep it simple—no hard fondant or candy pieces (choke hazard)

• Please arrive with the cake “naked style” - we will decorate the cake here at our studio to match your theme

SPLASH PHOTOS (OPTIONAL BUT ADORABLE)

• We provide a mini tub, lukewarm water, and towels for clean up

• A fun and clean way to end the session!

FAMILY + SIBLING PHOTOS

If you're including family or sibling shots (additional fee applies for family portraits):

• Please arrive dressed and ready, these photos are done at the beginning of the session.

• Prepare each family member’s wardrobe early. We recommend purchasing any necessary wardrobe items early and hanging them on one side of your closet and placing any accessories with each outfit. This ensures nothing is forgotten on the day of the session.

• Keep outfit and color choices simple - no busy patterns, large logos, or bright colors that may be distracting. 

• Bring a change of clothes if you’ll be helping during the smash

• Consider the season you will be taking photos in. Here are some suggestions to help when selecting colors. Neutrals (cream/white) look good in every season and are a very timeless look.

  >> Spring sessions: pale yellow, light pink, lavender, light blue, sage green, white cream (pale + colorful)
  >> Summer sessions: yellow, pink, purple/lavender, blues, greens, white, cream (bright + colorful)
  >>Fall sessions: mustard yellow, orange, navy blue, rose pink, burgundy, emerald, turquoise (deeper + richer colors)
  >> Winter sessions: ruby red, sapphire blue, emerald green, white, cream (cool based jewel-tones)

Sitter + Milestone Sessions

Sitter and milestone sessions are a fun way to show the growth of your child.

Prior to your session, we will discuss an overall theme you would like to do for your sitter session. We will guide you for what clothing to prepare. We recommend purchasing any necessary wardrobe items early and hanging them on one side of your closet and placing any accessories with each outfit. This ensures nothing is forgotten on the day of the session.

We provide all the necessary decorations. In most situations, you will bring the outfit for your little one unless otherwise discussed prior to your session.

Please prepare a few outfits that you love. If we have a theme discussed, I will guide you for what to specifically bring.

OTHER ITEMS TO BRING:

• Optional: bring one or two photogenic toys that your child loves (for instance, a memorable stuffed animal). If we are having a hard time getting your child to enjoy their session, sometimes having a toy they love in their arms helps. Remember, these toys may be photographed so only bring items you think are adorable and wouldn’t mind having in a photo!

• Snacks! Please bring small non-messy bite sized snacks for your kiddos. This can really help keep their energy up for the session and can be great bribery!

After your Session

• You’ll receive your images within 5-7 days

• Print and product options available directly from your gallery 

Feeling Stuck?

If you feel stuck with your wardrobe or need additional suggestions, please feel free to reach out to us anytime. We welcome our clients to send over photos of what outfits they are thinking about ahead of time. We are here to help!

Email: BKRoseStudio (at) gmail.com