Juodis Photography is the BEST photography choice if you want a convenient and easy cake smash session for your 1 year old inside your own home or outdoors location. I have created tips to have a great cake smash.  

Contact us by the time your baby is 10 months because the session needs to take place when your baby is actually 11 months.

1. There are two outfits allowed: A cute first birthday outfit, and the cake smash “attire” (usually a diaper/cover, tutu, or any other outfit you like your baby in). The first few shots we get will be portraits of your baby dressed in a cute outfit for a couple traditional first birthday portraits ( family portraits if you choose cake smash +family session). Then will take a few minutes to change your baby into their cake smash “attire”.

2. Let your baby have cake at least 2 times in the weeks leading up to the cake smash session. This way they will be familiar with cake enough to move past the exploration phase and they can get excited about it like the rest of us! Feeding them cake ahead of time also helps determine if your baby has any allergies or sensitivity from the icing coloring.  But believe it or not, many babies think the texture of the icing feels weird.  Some babies don’t like it at all and get upset when it won’t easily wipe off, and some babies are very interested in it and examine it very seriously.

3. It is great to incorporate some decorations from the first birthday party (such as a crafty banner). We have discovered that most of our clients follow the “less is more” philosophy…they tend to like simple/clean/uncluttered look. Don’t worry, even if this describes YOUR STYLE, a DIY banner is usually a PERFECT look to dress up a cake smash. I am usually not a fan of balloons because they do not reflect well and they tend to cast color & shadows. I prefer to customize every cake smash and like to hear what parents imagine so we cud get as close as possible to your dream setting.

4. The cake smash needs to be done inside your home whenever possible for easy clean up or agreed outside location. Animals and siblings need to be in a different room because the cake is soooo tempting to eat.  Studio cake smash sessions are not available. The best spot in your house to have the cake smash is usually a dining room, large entry way, kitchen or where ever there is about a 10×10 space.  No high chair required.

5. I usually have solid background colors of white, grey, pink and blue available. Please let me know ahead of time what color you prefer so we can make sure we have it in stock ahead of time. It takes several weeks to receive a new background order so the sooner we know, the better chance you’ll have of getting the background color or style you like. 

6. Most babies simply wear a diaper cover (like bloomers), a tutu or cloth diaper for the cake smash. A gDiaper or other color or pattern-coordinating cloth or designer diaper is fine. Some parents prefer to do the cake smash with the baby fully clothed instead of in a diaper, and this is totally fine with me. 

7. If your baby has a fever or is not feeling well on the day of the session, then it needs to be rescheduled. We will not get good results and good smiles if your baby isn’t feeling well. 

8. Have some puffs, Cheerios or your baby’s favorite dry finger food on hand to stuff into the cake in case they need help being a littlemore interested in it.

9. Also have a sippy cup within arms reach in case your baby gets thirsty. Your baby will need a little break.

10. Have a small plastic toy (that can easily be cleaned) handy to give your baby when their back is facing the camera. Your baby will need a reason to sit still, and introducing a toy will help keep their attention for enough time to get some cute shots.

11. Please avoid ordering chocolate cake and please avoid fondant decorations (this can pose as a choking hazard). The best is Whipped cream frosting soft and easy for baby to smash. Cake 4' to 8' is the best size. 

12. You can have the cake smash outside at your home if you really want to. However, there are many things to consider about the possibility of an outdoor cake smash: The session must be scheduled according to the best natural lighting (usually around sunset), or in a shade ( in a woods, under a tree or behind some building) I will suggest location or the best spots. Outdoor cake smashes are usually on the ground and with no solid backdrop. 

13. I do provide cake stands and I do have several props just ask about your options  ( no pictures of props yet, still working on it).

14. There is a $5 extra fee added if your baby doesn’t share the cake with me. (just kidding!!) Happy Cake Smashing! - Reda