— Bronwyn Parsons Photography —
Fun & Affordable First Birthday Sessions.
Sessions from $700 • Kambah, ACT Studio • Babies 1 Year Old • 10+ years experience
It’s probably the one and only time your baby will have a free pass to paint everything and everyone in a beautiful big gooey mess. At the end of it, you’ll have some memorable cake smash photos to display at your child’s first birthday party.
So why not a family photography session instead? At one, most babies are either crawling, close to walking or off and running. They have surpassed sitting still and are happiest when they are given something interesting to do. Involving babies in a sensory activity of this sort engages them long enough to capture those cute little scrunched up noses and big personalities. Simply put, a cake smash session is way more appealing to a one-year-old than a portrait session.
There are a few things to consider before scheduling a cake smash session. If your baby hasn’t been exposed to buttercream icing or the ingredients in a cake it’s best to determine any potential allergies first. In doing so, you will also get a feel for how your baby may react to a sensory activity of this type.
Firstly, we’re asking your baby to do something they would generally not be encouraged to do at home on the living room floor! To top that off, the adults in the room are all giggles and full of encouragement. If this isn’t weird enough for a baby, we’re asking your baby to undertake the activity in a new environment surrounded by equally awesome distractions. Some babies warm quite quickly to the idea of a cake smash. Other’s take a little longer to feel comfortable with distractions and a stranger pointing a lens at them. To assist in determining how your baby might react to cake smash photography, here are the top three sensory reactions observed during cake smash photography.
The Destroyer:
is a complete sensory seeker. They love squishing mash potato through their fingers at mealtime, they will smear themselves in spaghetti and will attempt to put anything and everything in their mouth. The Destroyer finds the experience extremely satisfying and will obliterate the cake with no encouragement or staging.
The Explorer:
is happy to touch and taste the cake in short bursts until something in their surroundings captures their attention. The Explorer adapts well to new people and situations and is generally very happy go lucky souls.
The Teetotaler:
is not too keen on icing sticking to any part of their body. An indication of this is flicking food off hands at mealtimes or becoming anxious by touching certain food textures.
As a Mum of three and baby photographer, I know all too well how unpredictable kids can be at this age. The last thing any parent wants is the dreaded meltdown at the most inopportune time. The good news is there are some things you can do to minimize the chances of this happening during your photo session.
Before the session
On the day
During the session
Keep an open mind and be in the moment. Cake smash photography is candid not posed. I’m all about capturing your child’s beautiful personality rather than trying to outdo your best friend or replicate other peoples moments.
All babies LOVE the warm bubble bath at the end. Not only does it clean them off, but it also calms them and brings them down from all the excitement gently. Chances are, your little one will be so exhausted and relaxed after a bath they will fall asleep on the way home.
Our cake smash sessions are held in our
Newborn & Family Photography Studio Canberra. I’d love to help you plan your session.
Direct: 0490 026 854