Cake Smash Must-Haves and Ideas
A collection of the favorite things I’ve seen parents bring, purchases I’ve made, and finds I hope you choose to use!! These things are so cute, but please remember that the most important thing is capturing your baby as they are today. Don’t feel pressured to bring anything other than yourself and your precious little one. Babies don’t keep.
(Some of these are affiliate links that support my family and I, but I’ll never share something unless I love it!)
The Cleanup Kit
Okay, first thing’s first! If there is cake, there will be mess! Even if you are fully convinced your baby won’t touch their cake, you don’t want to be caught by surprise! I recommend bringing a ton of wipes, a towel, paper towels, a few grocery bags/dog bags for the messy things, extra diapers, and a trash bag. Many studios don’t allow you to leave food behind in the trash so be prepared to leave with the leftover cake. For my fellow photographers: most studios have cleaning supplies but frosting on studio floors is tough to cleanup! I recommend having a cleanup kit in your car with paper towels, a generic cleaning spray, and a handheld vacuum (also so good to have if you ever use confetti!).
The Backup/Going Home Outfit
Leaping off of the cleanup kit, I also highly recommend packing spare photo-ready outfits for the WHOLE family in case of accidents as well as clean clothes for after the shoot since most likely baby (and everyone else) will be covered in cake! We’ll get in to the cute things a little later on, but we’re talking survival for now, folks. I’ve also heard on more than one occasion that mom & dad wish they brought spare shoes – frosting really does go everywhere!
The Signature "One" Sign
I think I’ve purchased this sign at least seven times over the years because I’ve left it behind, stepped on it, or it eventually became so stained with frosting that it needed to be replaced! Baby holding the “One” sign is such an iconic image and a worthwhile (dare I say necessary) purchase for any family photographer or parent capturing the milestone on their own! Check with me to be sure I have mine to bring along to our session or shop your own for memories and party decor!
The Cake Topper
Baby reaching for/playing with their cake topper is one of my favorite images to capture! For my own daughter, I went with this cute pennant bunting flag banner (I must say – it’s shockingly durable and we plan on using it annually!), but I also love the cursive “One” written out like the “One” sign previously mentioned or a simple number one! Most cake toppers break part way through a cake smash so be prepared to part with it!
The Party Hat
If they’ll wear it for even a few seconds, a baby in a party hat is just about the cutest thing you’ll ever see!! Bonus points if you bring some for the whole fam to wear!
The Favorite Toy
Monster trucks, baby dolls, dinos, stuffies they never put down, even a ratty old burp rag they somehow deemed their “emotional support cloth” (yes, I’ve seen it) – whatever it might be, it’s worth bringing! One day you might struggle to remember the haze of that first year with them and this is your opportunity to capture it so you won’t forget!
The Name Sweater
Usually a main rule I have for styling is no words and I do still stand by that, but these sweaters (and other outfits that display baby’s name) are my one exception! This session is all about them and this is such a sweet way to capture that!
The Newborn Photo
Your baby holding a photo of themselves from a year ago??? I can’t imagine anything more likely to make mama cry. Maybe toss in a maternity photo and sonogram image to cover all of their story so far!
The Balloons
Honestly I have mixed emotions about balloons. The #1 balloon is so cute but can be a bit of a hassle as it spins and moves in the wind. Honestly it is worth the test of patience! You also can’t go wrong with a few solo helium balloons (I love tying them to baby’s wrist) or some simple ones blown up by hand for baby to play with on the ground.
The Milestone Sign
This is one thing I haven’t seen at a session yet, but I would love to! I see them at birthday parties all the time, but I think they should be included in the first birthday photos as part of remembering all that they are as they turn one!
The Party Theme Prop
If you’re throwing a themed party for their first birthday, it’s a good idea to bring along something that ties in the theme for their 1 year photos. Just think along the lines of decor you used or are planning to use and see if something in that could work!
The Other Decor
The ideas are truly endless. I am biased towards keeping things minimal so the focus stays on the birthday kid, but I’m always down to chat with you about ideas! Reach out to me directly and let’s brainstorm to make this a session to remember!