Cake smash sessions are a fun and entertaining way to document your babies first birthday. Some are silly and fun while others are natural and simple. Capturing beautiful images that are genuine and candid is my goal. This is a fun age and making babies smile and laugh is something I absolutely love! Who doesn't love hearing a baby laugh and all while they get to enjoy cake...... for most babies a first piece ever! I love their reaction and though some babies may love the cake and others just hate the mess, the photos are something that will bring joy to you for so many years to come. I love looking at my little ones digging into a fresh piece of cake even to this day. The smiles on those little faces especially because a good cake isn't something you find laying around the grocery store. It takes a good recipe or a good baker. My family has a go to recipe that we take very seriously at our house and it is the best I've ever had ( no I'm not attaching that one but hopeful thinking lol !). Regardless if you decide to make a cake for your cake smash session or buy one, just remember to be practical (while we also give a baby a whole cake to eat lol). In the end it will be destroyed in just a few minutes. Keep it simple! Let me help in offering some suggestions and links below.
I recommend several different locations and only suggest areas that do not encourage photography permits. There is no need to encourage additional costs when there are other free options that can produce beautiful results. Parks, conservations areas, open gardens and some urban centres work great for family and baby photography. I will offer several choices and suggestions for great photography locations but will also be happy to accommodate your preferences. I am always excited to hear of a new location to shoot and often thank my clients for sharing the hidden gem with me.
Its best to bring baby in something simple and solid for the before photos. This allows me the opportunity to capture timeless and clean photos before the cake smash begins. Giving you really beautiful and natural photos of baby in addition to the fun messy ones. Cake smash photographs are wonderful but sometimes just having a simple and natural smile beats all others. Ones you can keep our and enjoy all year round celebrations or not. Having both is just icing on the cake. Once we have spent a little time with these we can move onto the cake smash portion. This last usually only about 10-15 minutes. Babies enjoy digging into their cake and I capture plenty of photos during this time. I use a little tub basin for some cute bathtub pics while also cleaning baby from cake. Babies tend to favour this over any other part of the session. If your baby likes water and you think they may enjoy this please let me know and we can be sure to include this as part of your session at no additional cost.
Cake smash session can take place in studio, on location or in home. We are located in Courtice just between Bowmanville and Oshawa. Durham region is our primary location for family and baby photography. We offer in home lifestyle sessions that cater towards modern couples looking to capture natural images in a candid way. On location and outdoor photography sessions run through spring to late fall and are in full swing.
1 Year photo session: Simple and natural tips for babies attire
Solid colours are best. Patterns can be great too in moderation.
Cotton and knits photograph well and offer a natural feel.
Pastels and soft colours are perfect. They don't oversaturate and alter the babies natural skin colour through the camera.
I recommend avoiding strong solid colours like fuchsia ,red ,black & intense orange.
Bare feet are perfect.
A simple dress is lovely in photos especially when it's a natural fabric. I would avoid shinny or reflective fabrics. You want a fabric that is matte. Cotton, knit, jean, jersey and lots more. Textures are great and patterns can be fun.
Overalls are great. They can be jean, chord, patterns or colour. Overalls are cute...…shirt or no shirt!
A favourite pair of cotton onesies PJ style. Don't underestimate how cute babies are in PJ onesies.
Rompers! Rompers! Rompers!
T-shirt and Diaper cover.
T-shirt with Birthday slogan or wording.
If choosing headbands its best to keep them on the smaller side. The really big ones can take away from those cute little eyes! Lets keep the focus on babe.
Accessories are great in moderation and appropriate size.
Non collar shirts are best.
Diaper cover.
Cake smash session : Helpful tips for what to wear on baby
For the cake smash portion there is little need for much in terms of outfit.
A simple T-shirt or onesie is a great option.
A diaper cover and a T-shirt that says a birthday slogan can be very cute.
A little dress with a tutu bottom or just a tutu in general is fun.
Rompers are great and even a simple sundress will work well.
You will want to choose something that you don't mind getting dirty. It will be covered in cake of course. Bare feet are best. Colours are great, sparkles, patterns, birthday sayings all welcome and all are great!
What to bring with you
Here are the essentials. 1. Baby 2. Cake
Anything else is your own preference. No need to gather much or look for props. Share with me the colours you are thinking and I'll take care of the rest. If you like being creative and want to plan for the session by bringing in a few of your own things please feel free.
A few extra wipes.
A drink for baby.
A comfy change for after were all done.
A bag to put messy clothes in.
Any specific props you have preference too.
Props
My goal is always to keep the focus on the subject. The baby is the most important aspect of theses photographs and the reason you are investing in my services. I will always be happy to accommodate your style, preference and theme however I do suggest keeping things simple and natural. Lets create a beautiful set for celebrating babies first birthday and do so in a tasteful way. Banners, balloons, ribbons and props are all welcome and I am happy to offer the selection of decor I have as well to help create a fun and timeless look. In studio cake smash sessions are done on real wood backdrops, we do not sue paper as it does create an enormous amount of waist and impact to our planet. I choose to create natural and beautiful images in a way that reflects a practical and timeless approach. We can create something fun, beautiful and unique for your one year cake smash & milestone session. Please let me know what colours and preferences you have for the your little ones photo session. I love when parents have ideas and am happy to accommodate both by offering help to make this idea come to life. I use wall decor, boho florals, banners, fabrics and lots more to help celebrate. I try to offer helpful and cute decor ideas that I offer so they have beautiful photos and don't need to make any additional purchases and also to reduce waist. I have so many wonderful ideas and am happy to set things up for you as well. Just show up with baby in one hand and cake in other. I'll take care of the rest!
If you would like to do a bathtub session in the sunset after your cake smash please let me know. There is no additional charge but I'll know to bring with me the warm water and a fresh towel for baby!
Durham region cake smash sessions and 1 year photography. Family photography packages and just baby sessions available. The choice is yours for in home, in studio or on location photography packages all within Durham region. Regardless of where I am shooting, my goal is to bring with me genuine and timeless family and baby photography that feels easy and looks joyful.
Payment for Cake smash session & 1 year milestone session
Payment is the day of session - cash/cheque/emt - email : ashley@ashleytoppingphotography.com - password is not needed.
HST is applicable to all packages
Turnaround -2 weeks post session date
Digital download link
Your photos are sent to your email. Click the link and download each of your files. Pleas be sure to download all of your images onto your computer within the time frame. I do not recommend trying on your phone. It is recommended that you download these images directly onto your computer. Please be sure to always back up your photos on an external source. Your link will expire after 2 weeks. All images are designed to be printed up to 11x14 size. They are also sized to be able to enjoy online and through social media. Please feel free to share your link with family & friends that may enjoy looking or downloading there favourite images from your session.
1 year Photo session packages ready and sent to your email via digital download link. Files are sized specifically to download for prints at 4x6 up to 11x14 standard sizes. If you require a USB of images at the highest resolution possible and best for canvas and large poster prints please add $10 to your package and be sure to let me know it is your preference. I will transfer the largest resolution and size for your convince onto a USB and have it ready for you to pick up at your convenience. Digital downloads are convenient and you don't have to pick up your usb. Its the easiest way for me to get your photos to you the fastest. Please let me know if you have a preference.
Shared copyright allows you to enjoy your photos online through social media and in print. You can share your photos and enjoy with family and friends all while printing at your own leisure. Design and order your own prints & albums from your preferred printing locations and when it works for you. Share your digital link with family and friends and allow them to download the images and enjoy too!
I ask you do not edit or alter your digital photograph. Facebook and Insta are welcome. Please know these images are for personal and family use. The use of these images from your family photography session or cake smash session is not permitted for business use. They should not be shared with any other business or vendor unless specified and with permission. Shared copyright also means that I am able to add these photos to my own portfolio if needed. Some families choose to have their photos be private. I strongly respect that and ask clients to make sure they share this with me as I value privacy through social media and feel it is an important issue that deserves respect. Please address any concerns you may have otherwise we can both enjoy a creative and fun array of beautiful images.
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