A cake is one of the biggest attractions of any celebration. But babies aren’t really bothered about how it tastes or looks. They want to dig into the cake, play with the frosting and lick it off their fingers. It’s messy but adorable to watch and is definitely fun for the baby. That’s probably why a cake smash photoshoot is such a popular idea for a baby’s birthday photoshoot. It’s a little messy, but the photographs you’re left with will be priceless! So, how do you plan a cake smash photoshoot at home or photoshoot with brithday cake?
Here are a Few Cake Smash Photoshoot Ideas to Get You Started
1. Prepping for a cake smash photoshoot at home
The most obvious thing you need for a cake smash photoshoot is a cake. A sponge cake with buttercream frosting is ideal. The texture of these cakes is easy for children to play with. Avoid chocolate and red frosting. Pick pink, yellow, or pale blue icing instead. In addition to the frosting, you can also top the cake with your baby’s favourite fruits. Make sure the cake is at room temperature. If the cake is cold, your baby won’t want to touch it, and the frosting will be too hard.
You can put this cake directly on the table or a plate on a picnic blanket. Don’t bother with a cakestand – your baby might knock it over, and it would be a recipe for disaster!
2. Choose the right clothes
Choosing the right outfit for a cake smash photoshoot is critical. Your baby is going to get cake all over the dress, so make sure you don’t mind the mess. A lace romper or a tutu would look very cute. How about choosing a romper with a number that reflects your baby’s age? Since your cake frosting is colourful, consider picking a white outfit for your baby. It may seem counterintuitive to the upcoming mess, but it is the best base for a cake smash. If you’re looking at photoshoot ideas for a 1-year-old baby, you could think about dressing him or her just in a nappy! It looks cute, and cleaning up becomes much easier.
3. Choose a practical backdrop
When you’re setting up a cake smash photoshoot, look for easy-to-clean surfaces. Roll away your carpets and set them up on the tiled or hardwood floor. Alternatively, hang a sheet of vinyl such that it covers part of the floor and creates a backdrop. This is a great solution since vinyl is easy to wipe clean.
If you’re thinking of an outdoor photoshoot, you’ll need a picnic blanket. You can’t put the cake directly on the lawn – it would be unsafe for the cake to be mixed with grass and mud. A plain, water-resistant canvas sheet is ideal. Avoid patterns as they may clash with the cake smash. On the same note, eliminate clutter from your background so that your baby and the cake are the focal points of the photograph. If you must have props, a stuffed toy and balloons are pretty choices for a photoshoot.
4. Make sure your baby is ready for the photoshoot
It looks fun, but a cake smash photoshoot can be tiring for a baby. Hence, make sure your baby is well-rested and has been fed before the shoot. Schedule the photoshoot at a time when you know your baby won’t be cranky. Before you introduce the cake, let your baby play with a few props on the set you’ve created for the shoot. This will make them comfortable with the setting and the camera.
5. Don’t start with the cake smash
The star of this photoshoot isn’t the cake but your baby. So, start clicking before you introduce the cake. Before your baby smashes the cake, take a few photographs of them playing with props. Make sure you use a fast shutter speed setting on your camera so you don’t miss out on capturing those magical emotions and expressions. Take a few family photographs. When it is time to smash the cake, join your baby and get your own hands dirty, too.
6. Don’t expect too much
There is no such thing as a picture-perfect cake smash. You may have bought a beautiful cake and picked the perfect outfit, but your baby may not be in the mood to smile for the camera. Some babies dig into the heart of the cake, while others are happy picking fruits off the top. Don’t pressurise your baby into doing something they don’t want to. Instead, encourage them by participating in the photoshoot. Be patient and have fun!
7. Try different angles
A tripod is helpful, but simply putting the camera on the tripod with a timer setting may not be enough to get the shots you want. Take the camera off the tripod and experiment with different angles and perspectives. Get down to your baby’s eye level, or try taking an overhead shot with them looking up at you. You can also take close-ups of your baby’s hand on the cake or frosting on their cheeks.
8. Plan your clean-up
Once you’ve got all your photographs, you’ll need to get your baby changed. Wet wipes may not be enough to get the frosting off your baby. Instead, carry along a towel and water so you can rinse it off. Also, carry a change of clothes so your baby has something clean to wear after the shoot.
Summing it up
A cake smash photoshoot is a beautiful theme for a child’s birthday photoshoot. It’s fun to put together, and your baby will have a great time too! This is a photoshoot you can plan and execute on your own at home or out in the garden. If you want guaranteed frame-worthy photographs, consider working with a professional photographer like Klicpic. Leverage our experience and expertise to style your photoshoot and forever capture your baby’s innocence.