One year milestone sessions are always a joy to photograph, and when they end with a cake smash it’s even better!
Here are some tips for capturing this memorable moment…
- Keep it classic and timeless… Your one year session is all about documenting and celebrating your beautiful baby. You don’t have to have an over the top theme for a successful One year cake smash. Some of my favorite sessions are classic and timeless. A simple color palette with a few embellishments like balloons, banners, confetti or florals all go a long way in styling a session, while also keeping the focus of the session on your baby’s sweet expressions and personality.
- Decide if you want props and discuss them with your photographer prior to your shoot... We’re always happy to chat in more detail regarding your session. If you have an idea or prop you want for your baby’s cake smash, let us know! Quite often parents have already purchased party decorations for an upcoming first birthday party, and those items can easily be incorporated into your shoot. Otherwise, we have lots of props available at the studio including, cake stands, balloons, garland, florals and banners to style your session.
- Don’t freeze your cake prior to your photo session! If you do want to include a cake smash with your One year session, we do ask that you provide the cake. It’s our experience that most babies will have more fun playing with their cake than actually eating it. Before coming to your session, make sure your cake is at room temperature. Cakes with softer texture and icing are easier for little fingers to dig in and play with, and those are exactly the adorable images we want to capture during your session.
- Consider and outdoor session… Does your baby have a Summer birthday? Outdoors can be a great option, especially if you want to include family images with your session. We typically reserve outdoor sessions for mornings or early evenings, when the light is at its best. There are many beautiful locations to shoot in and around Des Moines and Central Iowa including parks, beaches or flower fields.
- Leave the mess until the end… One year sessions often include “nice” family and individual images of baby prior to the cake smash, because once the cake comes out and the frosting covers clothing, fingers and toes, there is no going back!
If you would like to schedule a One year session, including a cake smash for your baby, we’d love to hear from you!
