Preparing for your Cake Smash Session
Choosing a cake
Whether you are purchasing a cake or making one yourself, choose a small cake or large cupcake. Due to concern for allergens, Jen Oswald Photography will not be providing any food to clients. Please follow the guide for your cake:
I recommend getting a cake from a professional bakery. Homemade cakes can be beautiful but they’re often very dry and the icing is hard. We want a simple cake with soft icing. Publix actually makes some really good cakes!
For size, a 6-inch cake with 2-3 tiers is ideal. If it is too big it won’t fit on a cake stand or between your little one's legs. Also, you’ll want to make sure that the cardboard base isn’t a lot bigger than the cake itself. The base should be no more than an inch or so wider than the cake itself.
Match your cake’s colors to the theme of the session’s décor. For example, a Minnie Mouse theme can have white, black, and pink. A boho theme would have neutral colors such as beige or cream. Avoid getting a chocolate cake. It looks a little gross! I also suggest avoiding cakes with a lot of red icing. A “naked cake” with white icing is always a great choice for any theme!
Please let the baker know your cake is for a Cake Smash Session when you order, so that they do not add any harmful support inside the cake, such as toothpicks. Also, please make sure that there are no choking hazards on your cake, such as fondant, gum paste or pearls.
We want the cake’s frosting to be soft for your little one, so remove the cake from the refrigerator 2-3 hours before the session to allow the frosting to come to room temperature.
Décor
If you are choosing to bring your own décor, please arrive at least 20 minutes early so that we can set everything up. Please note that the simpler, the better, we don't want to take too much focus away from your little one!
What I provide: My prop stash is always growing, and what I can provide will depend on the theme and color scheme that you have chosen for your session. But generally speaking, I provide the backdrop/flooring, cake stand, silicone spoon, wooden stool, small white bench, small wood bench, bows/headbands, and some small greenery, garland, and florals.
What you provide: cake, outfits and headpieces, any additional décor or props you would like.
What to Wear
Choose the theme or color for your cake smash first, and then you choose the outfits. If you chose to add the family package, we will take those images first; we don't want to get cake on your nice clean outfits! During the first half of you session, we will take classic milestone portraits to capture the personality of your little one at this stage. You can choose a separate outfit for this portion if you wish. Then we will change your little one into their cake smash outfit and let the fun begin! If you are not getting styling help from JOP, 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 outfits with plenty of time prior to the session!
What to Bring
The bigger the mess your little one makes, the more fun to be had! Bring the following to your session to ensure the most pleasant experience:
Cake (can't forget the cake!)
Décor if you are bringing your own
Portrait and Cake smash outfits (feel free to wait to change until you get to the studio)
Sippy cup or bottle to help wash down the cake
Diapers > wet wipes, baby soap, a towel, and anything else you will want for cleanup
Small snacks (think cheerios, or puffs) in case they don’t like the cake. We can hide them in the back of the cake to make it look like your little one is actually eating cake!
A favorite toy for any crying fits
Change of clothes for parents, just in case!
