Cake Smash with a Bit of Cheating (and That’s Totally OK)

Not all babies like cake. Not all babies like new situations.  That’s just a fact and that can mean that your little one might not dive into their birthday cake with gusto.

At least to begin with.   When babies are little shy of the giant confection we’ve just put in front of them, I usually find that time, patience and a bit of demonstration can encourage them to get engaged and explore.  However, some babies just aren’t that fussed on cake and Frank was one of them.  Still it’s not a disaster in terms of your photos by any means.  We simply pose them up by the cake and use something else to get those smiles – in this case, a very spirited duet performance of Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.  Never be embarrassed to be silly at the studio to make your baby laugh – all singing and dancing is welcome.  I promise there are no cameras up there, and all roads lead to Rome in baby photography.

Planning a first birthday shoot can feel like another thing on an already long list—but it really doesn’t have to be stressful. And when it comes to cake smashes? I’m here to tell you that there’s no such thing as cheating—just smart planning.  Other ways to encourage your baby to pose for great cake smash photos include…

• Using their favourite fruit as a topper
• Tucking their favourite snacks at the back of the cake
• Giving them their own mini wooden spoon to play with (I always include your own spoon with a cake smash, it comes in very handy)
• Using a cake stand so they can near the cake but not have to touch if they’re not a fan of the feeling of the icing or don’t like to get messy

The real magic in a first birthday shoot is capturing your little one’s expressions—the curiosity, the giggles, the proud little looks. Whether they’re demolishing a real cake, poking at a fake one, or simply clapping their hands with glee, it’s the moment we’re celebrating.