Hey, thank you for coming back to the blog! If you're new here, I am Erika Stewart- the owner and lead photographer at It Clicks Photo. I am a wedding, family, and lifestyle photographer, and I have been around the block a time or two when it comes to cake smashes and 1 year old photo shoots. This year, however, I got to live on the other side of the shoot- from the parent POV. Our daughter, Flora just turned one on August 9th and I used all my expertise for cake smashes and paired it with what I've witnessed as do's and don'ts... annnnnd
Yeah, you read that title right-- This is how you can have a semi-successful cake smash for your one year old. You might be like .... a pretty successful? Wait- no I want a full blown success- which yes, all parents do, but kids are so mysterious and totally wild animals, so although you can't control everything- like how well your kiddo is going to handle the sugar buzz + crash, you can at least do all you can to have a good success with the possibility of a full blown win!
1.
First thing is first, do the cake smash before the birthday party, and on a day where you have nothing else going on- no parties later on in the day, or extra company, or anything of the sorts. Pretty much have a cleared out schedule so there isn't anything you need to rush off and do- making your anxiety hit the roof. Also, plan to do the shoot 1-2 weeks before your baby's birthday to give your photographer time to get some edits to you for the big birthday! And if possible, when booking see if your photographer can come to you and set up in your home for the shoot. (Ehhem, we always love doing this for our clients if they're game!) Why? because your babe will be most comfortable in their environment and also your tub is ready to go for when there is cake in-between toes! You don't necessarily need a huge wide open space. A living room with some floor space usually works out great.
2.
Have the shoot after your baby's first nap and after they ate lunch. In our day to day life, Flora typically has a snack when she wakes up from that first nap, but on shoot day, we skipped the snack and went straight to lunch so she would have a good base to soak up that sugar and not leaving her with a tummy ache. We also made sure she was not full to the brim so she did have room for dessert- a whole cake kind of dessert!
3.
If you are wanting to do photos not including cake, do that first. Don't even bring the cake into view for the first part of the shoot. Let your son/daughter explore and have fun. Bring their favorite toys, have their favorite songs ready to play, and get ready to have their personality shine bright. And when it is time, if you have an outfit change, get your baby changed first, then bring out the cake. I always instruct parents to show their kid how to rip open the cake and to take a little taste themselves so they will know this is okay to eat and momma/dada are eating it, so I can too. Then from there, sit back and enjoy the show. Some babies will totally destroy the cake, others will politely will grab piece by piece, and some kids may cry and want nothing to do with it. All reactions are totally fine and ridiculously adorable!
4.
Get ready for the buzz! Push your next naptime out an hour (maybe even more so) and give your baby extra playtime to exert that energy. I'm talking assisted walking, playing on the playground, if the season is right- pool splashing- anything to get your little active and going!
We always love a good cake smash, but know it isn't for everyone. Some alternatives would be ice cream, donuts, a giant bowl of fruit with whipped topping- you name it! The biggest thing here is having your baby go to toddler, and celebrating in a fun way they haven't before.
If it's time to book your 1st birthday shoot, let's match up calendars and get something in the books! We typically book milestone shoots 1-2 months in advanced! Head here to inquire!
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