CAKE SMASH & SPLASH SESSION GUIDE

HOW TO PREPARE AND WHAT TO EXPECT

So your session can run as smoothly as possible, I have compiled a prep guide to help us get the most out of your session!

How long does a Cake Smash & Splash Session last?

These sessions last around 1 to 1.5 hours. Our aim is to work reasonable quickly, to capture the best images of your baby before they have exhausted their cakey energy!

What happens during a Cake Smash & Splash Session?

Your session will begin with a few portraits of your baby (without their cake) and you may bring a separate outfit for this part of the session should you wish – it’s not necessary, but you can if you like!

We then move onto the Cake Smash part of your baby’s session, where they will (hopefully!) smash their cake. Sometimes little ones can be a bit perplexed by having a large cake put in front of them, just for them, so I recommend engaging your baby in some messy play ahead of their session. If your baby hasn’t yet tried cake or icing, I also recommend that you try them with some other cake, a few days prior to your session to help them get used to the new flavours and textures.

After your baby has smashed/eaten their cake, we will fill a little tub with some warm water (and bubbles if desired), so your baby can have a splash about for the last part of their session. This is often baby’s favourite bit! I do leave some cake on the backdrop around the tub for this part of the session as it works well for ‘after the smash’ shots.

How long does a Cake Smash & Splash Session last?

Cake Smash & Splash Sessions usually last around 1 to 1.5 hours.

What kind of cake should I order?

When you get in touch with your baker to order your Cake Smash cake, the main things you should ask for are for the cake to be;

• 6 inches round (or even 5 inches. Anything bigger than 6 inches can look really big next to baby!).
• In colours to match our chosen set colours/theme or in complimentary colours.
• Vanilla sponge and buttercream filling (we don’t recommend chocolate sponge/filling for cake smash cakes, as this can look a bit like kids are eating mud!).
• Covered in buttercream, not icing (as icing can be difficult to smash through for baby).
• Please request that your cake is placed on the same size board as your cake (or slightly larger if you would like buttercream decoration around the base of your cake).

I can recommend a brilliant local cake maker who makes beautiful cakes, that are just right for your session! Crumbs Cafe in Silsden has a 5 star hygiene rating, along with relevant food hygiene certificates and are only a 2 minute drive from my studio. Aimee who owns Crumbs Cafe would love to make your cake for your little ones special Birthday and you can contact her on 01535 959418 or through her Facebook page here: Crumbs Cafe

​Aimee and I have designed 3 different cakes for you to choose from for your session that will work perfectly for your baby’s smash. The choices are ‘the drip cake’, ‘the full buttercream’ and ‘the semi-naked’, all of which are a 6 inch round vanilla sponge cake and can be ordered in the colour scheme of your choice. Aimee’s cakes are priced from £35. Of course, if you would like something different than the recommended cakes, please fee free to discuss this with Aimee for a personalised quote. Please mention Sarah Walton Photography upon ordering your cake and place your order with at least 2 weeks notice wherever possible.

To see our recommended styles of cakes, please click here to view a visual guide.

What should I bring to the session?

• The Cake!!
• A towel to dry baby after their ‘splash’.
• Any outfits or props you want to include.
• A favourite toy (not to go in the pictures but to get baby looking towards it if needed).
• Change bag supplies – nappies, wipes etc.
• A drink for baby.
• Please bring a dummy and/or teething powder with you if you think they might be needed.

What about nap times?

We do advise you to book a session at suitable time to work around your baby’s naps. Please ensure your baby has a good nap directly before their session wherever possible, even if that means taking the long way round in the car on your way to me (if they sleep in the car!)! Ensuring your baby is well rested is the single most important thing you can do before your session, to ensure the best chance of success on the day.

Please give your baby a snack just before you set off from home.

Yes, they’re going to be eating cake, but equally, if your baby is really hungry when they arrive, they are unlikely to want to cooperate. Remember to bring a drink for your little one too, as they may need a breather from their cake!

Let them eat cake!

By this, I mean please let your baby try some cake a couple of times in the run up to your session if they aren’t used to the flavour/texture. This will help your baby to enjoy the experience of eating and smashing their cake.

​Do I need to bring an outfit for my baby and what should I dress them in to arrive?

Please dress your baby in their usual clothing – I’d suggest changing them into the outfit you’d like them to be photographed in upon arrival at the studio, to avoid any dribble/spills on their clothing. I have a range of outfits suitable for Cake Smash Session at my studio, which you are welcome to use, although most Clients usually like to select their own outfit. Please get in touch with me to discuss outfits if you’re not sure what will work, or if would like to see some of mine.

We will only use one outfit during your session (unless you would like your baby to be dressed in a different outfit right at the start for their timeless portraits and then we will use a maximum of two outfits). We will not photograph your baby in more than two different outfits – this is because with babies of this age, we only have a short amount of time to work on getting their photographs before they will become tired, so it’s best to focus on getting their photographs rather than using time on changing outfits (most babies of this age aren’t the biggest fans of getting changed either!).

Can I have family and/or sibling photos taken?

Cake Smash Sessions are a specialist session focussing on your baby. Due to the time involved in ensuring we capture the best possible images of your baby for their special day, it is not possible to include separately styled family and/or sibling photos (i.e. on a different backdrop/in other outfits). However, if you are happy to hop onto the same set (birthday themed) for a few quick images at the start of the session, then we can accommodate this – but please bear in mind that this will be a very short period of the session so as not to tire your baby out for the main event!

Can I bring my extended family or friends to the session?

A maximum of two parent’s/guardian’s should accompany baby to a session in my studio, due to limited space. I recommend that older siblings are not present during Cake Smash Sessions as this can be very distracting for your baby!

What if my baby doesn’t cooperate?

​It’s really important that you read this prep guide in full before your session to ensure we get the best outcome possible. It is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to ensure that these guidelines are followed (feeding/sleep advice etc.) as I can only capture images of your baby when they are settled. 

The main reasons babies of this age might be unsettled is due to tiredness, hunger or teething. Please do your best to ensure baby has a good nap and is well-fed before their session. I will always do my best to capture a lovely range of images for you, but I can only capture what I can depending on babies mood on the day and if I feel we have achieved a full gallery of images then I won’t offer a reshoot of your session. Any offers of a reshoot are at the sole discretion of the Photographer, are subject to availability and subject to a charge being made for additional session time. The Photographer cannot be held responsible for the co-operation (or lack thereof) of children and we highly recommmend that our guidelines are followed as closely as possible to ensure the best outcome.

If your baby is poorly in the 48 hours prior to your session, please get in touch with me, providing as much notice as possible and I will advise whether I think your session can go ahead as planned or needs to be rescheduled (within 14 days, subject to availability). My studio policy is not to undertake sessions where any of the participants (or myself) are ill. I have regular contact with newborn babies and children and therefore I will always advise we reschedule if baby is poorly. Please note that should you need to reschedule your session that this may mean you will need to refrigerate/freeze or reorder your cake.

Need to reschedule?

If you need to reschedule your session, please let me know as soon as possible. If you need to reschedule within 48 hours of the start of your session, please contact me by calling me or sending me a text or a message to my Facebook page, as I may not always be able to pick up emails at short notice. 

Your session fee is non-refundable, so if you cancel your session you will not receive a refund, but I do allow rescheduling of your session once within 14 days of your original session date if the reason for reshcedule cannot be avoided (for example, due to genuine illness or emergency) – the date of reschedule is subject to availability.

If you do not arrive to your session or are more than 30 minutes late, then you’ll need to pay a new session fee to book a new date. You can contact me on 07956114916.

Please be aware that you will be responsible for refridgerating/freezing/replacing the cake for your session as needed.

COVID-19

We will continue to maintain the hygiene and cleanliness of our studio and props to a high standard and hand washing facilities/hand sanitiser will be available throughout appointments for the Photographer’s and Client’s use.

Face coverings: We are no longer wearing face masks during appointments, but if you would prefer that we wear them, this is no problem whatsoever. Please mention this either during the booking process or upon arrival at the studio.

Please read the information below regarding our sickness policy and Covid-19.

Our Sickness Policy

If you (or anyone in your party) have been feeling unwell in the days prior to your appointment, please contact me to reschedule your appointment. Where an illness is viral, contagious or involves sickness and/or diarrhoea, please observe the 48 hour free from symptoms rule.

If your little one is ill on the day of their session, the best thing to do is to contact me so we can reschedule your session as your baby will likely not feel up to it and we won’t get their best selves for their cake smash experience. Please be aware that should you need to reschedule your session that you will need to refrigerate your cake (or freeze it if your rescheduled date is more than 3-4 days away – if you’re unable to freeze your cake yourself, your baker may be able to help with this).

Covid-19; Should you (or anyone in your party) develop Covid-19 symptoms or test positive for Covid-19 in the 7 days prior to your appointment, please contact me to reschedule your appointment (unless you have taken a lateral flow test to confirm a negative result). 

When will I see my photographs?

At the end of your session we will arrange your viewing & ordering appointment to take place in approximately 2-3 weeks time and this is when you will view your beautifully edited and enhanced gallery of around 25 images, choose your package and wall art and place your order.

Payment for an order is due at your viewing & ordering appointment. I always advise that all decision makers are present at the viewing & ordering appointment, as you may find you need help choosing your portraits! I also recommend that children (with the exception of babies) do not attend viewing appointments, so you can relax and choose your photographs without distractions.

When will I get my order?

Once you have placed your order at your viewing and ordering appointment, you can expect your digital download containing your purchased digital images to be sent to you via a link in an email within 1 week, whilst USB/Print orders will be ready for collection from our studio in approximately 3 weeks time. If you have ordered wall art or an album then these will be ready to collect in around 4-6 weeks time. 

Where is your studio?

You can find me at; First Floor, 29 Station Road, Steeton, West Yorkshire, BD20 6RL (above Imagine Hair & Beauty Salon).

Please enter via the front door on Station Road and head up the stairs, where you will find my studio on your right. There is no on-site parking at the studio, but I will advise you of close-by on-street parking options before your session. Please try to arrive on time, but if you are running late, please message me on; 07956114916.

I’m looking forward to meeting you all and as always, if you have any questions, please just ask!