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.
Just a little note – things can get a bit messy during the cake smash and splash, so the floor can be a little slippery. I’ll keep an eye on things, but please do take care when moving around.
Ordering Your Cake
When ordering your Cake Smash cake, here are my recommendations to ensure it looks beautiful in your photographs and is easy for your little one to enjoy:
- 6-inch round cake (5 inches is also fine). Anything larger can look quite big next to baby.
- Decorated in colours that match or complement your chosen Cake Smash theme.
- Vanilla sponge with buttercream filling. I don’t recommend chocolate sponge or filling, as it can look a little like mud in photographs!
- Covered in buttercream rather than fondant icing, as buttercream is much easier for little hands to explore and smash.
- Placed on a white cake board that is the same size as the cake (or only slightly larger if you’d like buttercream decoration around the base).
Recommended Cake Supplier
If you’re looking for someone to make your Cake Smash cake, I’m delighted to recommend Gill’s Cupcake Corner in Cowling.
Gill is a talented self-taught baker and cake decorator who is:
- ⭐ 5-star food hygiene rated
- ⭐ Fully registered
- ⭐ Fully insured
For Cake Smash sessions, I recommend a 6-inch, double-layer vanilla sponge cake with simple buttercream decoration to match your chosen colour scheme. Naked cakes, semi-naked cakes or cakes fully covered in buttercream all photograph beautifully.
Where possible, I’d recommend avoiding very dark icing colours, as they don’t always look as appealing in your finished photographs.
A basic 6-inch double-layer vanilla sponge cake with simple decoration is available from £40, with more bespoke designs available on request.
You can contact Gill via her Facebook page:
Gill’s Cupcake Corner
https://www.facebook.com/gills.cupcake.corner
Please mention Sarah Walton Photography when placing your order and, wherever possible, order your cake at least 2-3 weeks before your session.
Please note that your cake is a separate purchase arranged directly with Gill. You’ll be responsible for collecting your cake before your session and bringing it with you to the studio.
What should I bring to the session?
- The Cake!!
- A towel to dry baby after their ‘splash’.
- Any outfits (max 2) 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 and a snack for baby (preferably a non-sweet snack in case the cake becomes a bit sweet for them).
- Please bring a dummy and/or teething powder with you if you think they might be needed.
- If you would prefer your baby to wear a swim nappy/swim wear during the splash part of their session, please bring these with you (we usually go without).
- A change of clothes for you if you’re heading off somewhere afterwards (you’ll likely be a bit cakey!).
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 just 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. Do allow a little ‘wake-up’ time too if you can, so they’ve had chance to come round from their nap.
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 and a snack 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 few 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 Sessions at my studio, which you are welcome to use, although most Clients usually like to select their own outfit, as I can’t guarantee specifi colours or sizes. 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 change your appointment, please let me know as soon as possible.
Your session fee secures your booking in the diary and is non-refundable. I do allow one reschedule within 14 days of your original session date, subject to availability.
If you need to contact me within 48 hours of your appointment, please do so by text message or email.
If you do not attend your session, or arrive more than 30 minutes late, a new session fee will be required to book another appointment.
Please note: If your session is rescheduled, you remain responsible for the cake’s condition, storage, and suitability for the new session date.
Our Sickness Policy
If you (or anyone attending your session) has been feeling unwell in the days leading up to your appointment, please get in touch as soon as possible to rearrange your session.
For any illness that may be viral or contagious – including sickness or diarrhoea – a minimum 48-hour symptom-free period should be observed before attending.
If your little one is unwell on the day of their session, the best thing to do is to reschedule. Not only is this important for everyone’s wellbeing, but it also ensures your baby feels happy and comfortable, so we can capture them at their best for their cake smash experience.
If your session does need to be rescheduled, please note that you will remain responsible for storing your cake safely. This usually means refrigerating it, or freezing it if your new session date is more than 3–4 days away (your baker may be able to assist with this if needed).
If anyone in your household develops symptoms of a contagious illness in the week leading up to your session, please contact me to reschedule. If you have tested to rule this out and are feeling well, you are very welcome to attend – I simply ask that you keep me informed.
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 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 6-8 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!
For full booking, cancellation, and rescheduling terms, please take a moment to read my full Terms & Conditions here: https://www.sarahwaltonphotography.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/