5 Essential Tips for the Perfect Cake Smash Session


A cake smash is one of the most fun and memorable ways to celebrate your baby's first big milestone—and let's be real, it's a milestone for you too. You survived the first year! Whether your baby dives into the cake headfirst or is a little more cautious, this moment is bound to be full of adorable chaos. To help you make the most of your cake smash experience, I've gathered five tried-and-true tips that will ensure a smooth and enjoyable session for both you and your little one!


1. Let Baby Play with Mashed Potatoes Before the Big Day

In my two years of shooting cake smashes, I've learned one thing for sure: babies are funny about getting their hands dirty. Surprisingly, boys tend to get more upset about the mess than girls do, and girls—well, they’re usually the ones who get freaked out by the photographer! But I digress.

Here’s the deal: many babies are initially unsure about that gooey, squishy feeling of cake icing. The best way to prep them for it is by letting them play with mashed potatoes in the week leading up to the session. Why mashed potatoes? It has a similar texture to cake icing—soft, gooey, and just the right consistency. Plus, potatoes are a little less overwhelming than cake (and more delicious too!). Letting your little one get familiar with the sensation can make the whole experience less intimidating and a lot more fun when the cake finally arrives.


2. Let Your Photographer Know if Your Baby Has Stranger Anxiety

Stranger anxiety is common, especially around the 10-11 month mark, and it's something I see often with girls (though it can happen with boys too). If your baby is a little shy around new faces, give your photographer a heads-up before the session. Knowing in advance allows us to take steps to make sure baby feels safe and comfortable.

For me, one of the biggest things I do is avoid making eye contact with baby. When a nervous baby locks eyes with a stranger, tears are pretty much guaranteed. To avoid this, I stay behind my camera and my lighting setup. I won’t even look directly at baby, and I’ll allow you a few minutes to settle in with your little one before I come into the room. If baby is used to seeing you first, they’re less likely to feel overwhelmed by a new person in the room.


3. Introduce a Cupcake Early to Rule Out Allergies

This one is super important, and honestly, a little underappreciated. Some common cake ingredients—like eggs and dairy—are known allergens for babies. To avoid any allergic reactions on the day of the smash, try giving your baby a cupcake (or a piece of cake) at least a week before your session. This gives you time to monitor for any signs of allergies, which may not always show up the first time a baby eats something new.

If your baby has a sensitivity to eggs or dairy, there are allergen-free bakeries that offer safe cakes for your little one, though they can be a little pricier. It's worth it for peace of mind. I’ve even had some creative parents bring alternative “cakes,” like watermelon slices (which, let me tell you, is a messy, watery delight) or even a head of broccoli. Yes, broccoli! One baby happily chewed on it for ten minutes while I snapped pictures. Creativity knows no bounds when it comes to cake smashes!


4. Dress Baby in a Simple Outfit (But Don’t Forget the Bib!)

Cake smashes get messy—obviously. So, opt for an outfit that you don’t mind getting covered in frosting (or watermelon juice). Simple, comfy clothing works best, especially if you plan on keeping it as a keepsake for baby’s scrapbook. A cute, neutral-colored onesie or romper is perfect. And don’t forget the bib! Trust me, it’s much easier to clean frosting off a bib than it is to try to scrub it out of baby’s clothes.

5. Be Ready for the Unexpected

Babies are unpredictable! Some dive right into the cake, others are hesitant, and some barely touch it at all. The important thing is to let your baby lead the way and be ready for whatever happens. Whether they take tiny, delicate bites or they squish the entire cake into their face, just roll with it. The best moments come when you’re not trying to control the chaos but embracing it.

Cake smashes are such a fun and unique way to capture a huge milestone in your baby’s first year, and with a little preparation, you can make sure it’s a positive experience for everyone involved. I hope these tips help you feel a little more prepared and confident going into your session. Let the cake (and memories) begin!


4. A Happy, Rested Baby = A Happy Cake Smash

One of the best ways to set your baby up for a successful cake smash is to make sure they’re well-rested. I always schedule my cake smash sessions right after baby’s nap time. Cake smashes can be a lot for little ones to handle, and it’s not uncommon for them to feel overwhelmed by the experience. A well-rested baby is much more likely to be in a good mood and ready to dive into the fun!

To help make sure baby’s mood stays positive, try to keep the day leading up to the session low-key. Avoid any big outings or activities that could leave your little one overstimulated or tired. I once had a fussy baby during a late-afternoon session, and the mom mentioned they’d been to a baby shower and then a museum earlier in the day. The baby was smiling at the shower and flirting with people at the museum, but by the time we started the cake smash, she was completely wiped out! Trust me, a well-rested baby makes all the difference!


5. Relax, Have Fun, and Let the Magic Happen

The most important thing to remember during your cake smash photoshoot is to relax and enjoy the moment. The goal isn’t to create a perfectly staged scene, but to capture your baby’s true emotions as they experience this fun (and sometimes messy!) milestone. Babies are unpredictable—some dive in headfirst, others may need a little more coaxing, and yes, a few may even shed a tear or two. But honestly, those “real” moments, whether it’s joy or a tiny bit of drama, will become some of your most cherished memories as time goes on.

And don’t stress about perfection! Some of my favorite photos are the ones that show the messy, unplanned moments. A giggle, a tear, a frosting-covered face—they’re all part of the journey. Years from now, you’ll look back at those pictures and love them just as much as the happy, smiling ones.


With these tips in mind, you're all set to create a memorable and fun cake smash photoshoot for your little one. In a future post, I’ll dive into picking the perfect themes and set designs to make your session even more special. For now, have fun, enjoy the chaos, and most importantly—capture the memories!