WHAT TO EXPECT

Cake smash sessions last about 45-60 minutes. We begin by taking pictures of your little one in their outfit before introducing the cake.  Once we bring in the cake we let your baby set the pace, as some little ones dig right in and destroy the cake, and others need a little bit of encouragement and sometimes even help to get into their cake.  Be ready to get your hands dirty and help your little one get past all that frosting to the cake underneath. Sometimes baby isn't really interested in their cake, it's helpful if you bring baby's favorite snack (cheerios & puffs work best) that we can stick in the back of the cake giving the appearance of baby eating their cake.

​

BOOK AROUND NAP TIME

A rested baby is a happy baby. We will be scheduling your session to fall between your baby's nap routine, so that we catch them when they're at their most alert and content part of the day.

I understand that routines change over time. We may schedule your session a couple of months in advance and 10am sounds like the perfect time, but then the week before the session things shift and you think 11am might be better.  That's no problem at all, just shoot me an email and we will adjust the session time. We do NOT want to mess with nap time!

​

BRING SOMETHING FAMILIAR
Bring a favourite toy to the session, I can hold the object so that they look at me or another trick that seems to work well is to have mom play a video or song on their phone to get baby to smile.

​

CONSIDER TEETHING/VACCINES
Even after all of our best efforts to avoid nap time and to bring some favourite toys, sometimes babies are just not happy. In my experience more often than not (at this age) it is due to discomfort from teething. 

If you think this might be the case for your baby I would encourage you to be ready with any of the remedies that you usually use. Whether it's baby Tylenol or a teething toy to chew on, whatever you like to use at home should come with you to the session just in case it's needed. If you suspect baby is teething please plan ahead because it will just cause baby to cry the entire session.

Also, please make sure that the cake smash session is scheduled at least a week after given any vaccines as sometimes baby can have a reaction or still be a bit sore and not want to sit.

PRACTICE RUN
In the weeks leading up to the session encourage your baby to feed themselves; do a trial run at home with a cupcake or whip cream. If they are primarily spoon fed they won't know what to do when a cake is put in front of them. Some children may become visibly upset and cry when cake is on their hands or feet as they are not use to the feeling.

​

CHOOSING A CAKE

Select a cake approximately 5-6 inches (or larger) around works best.  Due to concern for allergens, Vasiliki Maria Photography LLC is not able to provide the cake.  Please consider the following items:

• Please make sure that the cake is not topped with fondant, you want baby to get messy.

• Small sprinkles are okay

• When ordering the cake, please mention to the baker it is for a Cake Smash session so they do not add any support inside the cake. (Sticks, toothpicks, tubs, etc.) When baby begins to smash the cake, they can get hurt by this.

• Be sure the colors of the cake matches the theme of the session. For example, a Mickey Mouse theme can have Black, Yellow and red colors. If you want ideas please ask!

• Remove the cake from the refrigerator 2-3 hours before the session to allow the frosting to come to room temperature. That way the frosting is soft and easy for baby to destroy

​​

Here are some local bakers:

​

HOW SWEET IT IS: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572360762498

WINDY HILL BAKEHOUSE: www.facebook.com/windyhillbakehouse
KKBAKES:  www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575319138240
AUB BAKES CAKES: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087920584407

 

APPEARANCE

I usually recommend an outfit for portraits then another outfit for the cake smash; but you can just have one outfit. Be aware that outfit will get messy if you plan to use it again for birthday party. Etsy is a wonderful resource for buying custom made outfits that will make this photo session memorable. Amazon is also a great choice. Please be sure to order the outfit with plenty of time prior to the session that matches theme.  

​

It is the parents responsibility to ensure that child's face, skin and hair is clean and styled as desired before/during session; some baby's cry or have a runny nose which will be present in pictures. Pacifiers are allowed if needed but will not be photoshopped out of images so please use them wisely.

​

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING:

• Towel

• Washcloth

• Cake

• Outfits

• Diapers/Wipes

• Sippy cup

• Snacks

• Favorite toy

• Extra clothes for parent as sometimes you can get frosting on you

​

THE MESS
I hope that your little one makes a huge mess!  That’s the whole point of this session, and most fun of the day.  We will finish the session with a splash in a tub, so please bring a clean outfit for the ride home and expect a sleepy baby after all that fun!

​

***Please be aware that the session may not go as planned. If baby is tired or in pain they may not touch the cake at all and may cry the entire time. I cannot guarantee how baby will act during their session, but I will work with you to get baby to cooperate as much as we can.***

​

AFTER YOUR SESSION

The photos from your session will be presented to you in a private online proofing gallery. I will email you the link to access this gallery within 2-3 weeks after your session. The wonderful thing about the online gallery is you can view them from the comfort of your home.  From your gallery,  you will be able to “star” and select your favorites. The amount of images you may select depends on the package you choose. Once you choose the images you would like to have  (please email me to let me know you’ve finalized your selections), I will then send those to you with a print release! If you would like to purchase the remaining gallery, no need to select your favorites just email me and let me know and they will be sent after payment is made.

From your gallery you will be able to download your high resolution files and print them with a print release at your convenience. Your photos are presented in a special online gallery where you can download them instantly with one click. 

​

​