Cake Smash Planning and Prep Information
In order to get the most our of our cake smash session, please read ALL of this information over carefully.
I am so excited to do this session with you! They are truly the most fun sessions I do!
CAKE:
The cake is the second most important part of our set up. Please invest in your cake!!! If you would like to keep it on the inexpensive side and simple, Rouses is fabulous with simple smash cakes. Just be sure to ask for a 6 or 8 inch cake. Ask your baker to make the cardboard base they decorate the cake on to be the same size or as close to the size of your cake as possible, and a matching color with our theme or matching the cake stand. (Gold with a silver accented theme doesn't flow and visa versa!) I have several cake stands on hand to choose from, just ask me! The cake is not something you want to pick up at the last minute and end up settling for something that doesn't go well with the session theme/colors/decor. When choosing a cake consider the colors. Red can look like blood. Brown/black can look like dirt/poop. Google and search cake smashes to see if anything stands out that may end up bothering you after the fact! Avoid a cake made completely of fondant. Fondant is hard and will not "smash" and could also be a choking hazard. We do not wipe baby's face repeatedly during the session. If this is something you feel you'd have the urge to do when you see cake on their face, let's discuss no cake options ASAP. The point of a cake smash, is an adorable cake mess all over baby.
The week before:
A trial run works in your favor, so do this! Buy a cheap plastic table cloth and let your little one sit on the floor, give them a cupcake or mini cake from the grocery store and let them go to town. I've found allowing them to do this before the smash makes them a little more comfortable sitting on the ground trying to eat cake here with lights and a camera in their face.
Morning of our session:
Be sure to take the cake out of the fridge in plenty of time to soften up to room temperature.
Please give your child snack and not a full meal before the session, we want them to be hungry (but not hangry!) when we smash some cake!
Don't wear your best clothes mama! You could leave covered in cake. Prepare to work out a little or a lot. If your baby is mobile, you will likely be corralling him/her (repeatedly) and placing them back in the spot where I will be photographing them. You might sweat but it will be so worth it!
Bring a helper! Someone baby loves, and who makes baby smile! Having one person to help corral baby, and one to be silly, is very helpful!
Bring something your baby LOVES to eat! That means if they love strawberries or mango, broccoli, donuts, or chicken nuggets then bring it with you. Sometimes puffs just won’t do. If baby doesn’t want to eat cake we want them to want to eat something, so PLEASE pack food your child likes that is small and easily picked up and placed behind/in the cake. Please bring a few favorite toys, just in case we need incentives!
Don't FORGET to bring:
-Outfit for pre smash portion of the session.
-Outfit for smash portion. (BOTH outfits will be photographed on the cake smash back drop)
-Any accessories, props, and outfits for the cake smash you may have and want to use. (Have any banners strung and ready to hang, tissue paper puffs already puffed, and any other props put together and ready to go. We will not have time to prep them, so they will not be used for the set if they're not ready to go)
- I will provide booties to cover feet. No shoes or bare feet will be allowed on the surface of the set where your baby will be eating off the ground at some point.
-Bring wipes, a wash cloth and a towel for cleaning up baby. You will not be able to bathe baby at the studio. You are welcome to use my sink, but it is tiny!
- Bring extra clothes for yourself if you have plans immediately after our session.
***If you've booked a Smash and Splash Session with a tub clean up included, please bring bubble bath your baby has previously used! We do not want to encounter an allergy for the first time at our session.
-Bring your baby's favorite tub toy.
(You may upgrade to add a tub clean up to your session, just make sure to let me know in advance. The flooring changes with this option, so we can NOT add it after we've begun!)
Respecting my studio and its contents:
*During the session and clean up time, please keep baby corralled to the backdrop until baby is completely cleaned up. Only one adult, with socks and bootie covers (that I'll provide), will be helping keep baby corralled. When this person leaves the set, they'll take the booties off, so cake is not dragged all over my studio. If you've sat in the cake next to baby, please do not sit on my couch after the session. Please feel free to have a seat in my white chairs though.
Just a little Warning. Sometimes the babies hate the cake, the set, me, and everything that day. It's tough being one. Oftentimes they love it. It could go either way, so expectations for how long your little one will last during the entire session should be reasonable based on their personality and ability to adapt in new situations. I am well versed on how to overcome objections and make it appear as if they had a wonderful time even if they don't. Either way, it will be adorable! Just trust me. And don't stress mama!! Our babies feed off our emotions, so make this fun!
Please respect my space by keeping little ones from exploring with their hands in the studio. Children who are not being photographed are not permitted on or near the set. Please don't allow little ones to eat and walk around the studio. Please inform helpers as well.
***If your child wakes up sick with a snotty/runny nose, coughing, fever, or vomiting, (or fever or vomiting w/in 24 hours) please call me ASAP to discuss rescheduling options. Not only will your little one be cranky when away from home while sick, but also, I work with newborns and try to keep illness out of the studio for the safety of my littlest clients.
***PLEASE DO NOT BOOK A SESSION within 2 weeks of receiving vaccinations. Babies need a time to recover from shots and can be cranky, feverish and even in pain after.
We want your little one to be in the best mood possible for their session, so consider all these things to ensure all the elements are working for us! I absolutely do not mind rescheduling, at no additional cost, to make sure we have the best possible outcome if you contact me in advance. But I will not reschedule for an unhappy sick little one if you chose to bring them anyway.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
My studio address is:
19317 N 10th Street Suite A
Covington La, 70433
Phone:
985-264-0108
Answer the questions in the form below and hit submit.