Turning one year old. It’s quite the journey to get there for both parents and the baby, am I right?! Celebrating with a first birthday photo shoot is such a fun way to mark the occasion. A lot of times, families will book this session a few weeks before baby’s first birthday so that they can use the images in either birthday party invitations or thank you cards, or as part of the decor at baby’s party.
When I first started doing these cake smash sessions, I remember getting a lot of requests for the set to reflect specific “themes”, e.g. favourite stories, toys, or animals. Over the past few years, though, I have been drawn toward more simple and timeless sets and the families that come to see me seem to feel the same way.
By removing all distractions, save for a few balloons or a sentimental stuffy or blanket, the primary focus becomes your baby: her expressions, her movements, and all the little details that you’ll want to remember forever. The images that result from your session then become timeless – you can print them and they will display well in any room of your home.
When the set is simple, there really isn’t much for you to plan in terms of outfits, either! A cute pair of shorts, a diaper cover, a dainty lace dress or in this session below, a pretty onesie and matching bloomers. I carry a pretty large selection of clothing for first birthday sessions, all in neutral colours, so you don’t even have to go shopping. Just “shop the studio” a few minutes after you arrive and you’ll be all set!
And then there’s the cake. Oh, the cake. The majority of families that come to me for these sessions will add on a custom cake, where I arrange all the details and all you have to do is show up (how lovely does that sound, right?) A little fun fact about me is that I’m lactose intolerant but I’m completely OBSESSED with cakes. There is something in the artistry of cake decorating that really fascinates me. Maybe it’s because I can’t eat them (unless I have a ton of Lactaid pills first) and maybe it’s because I am absolutely NOT a baker! There are certain details that I know photograph well, and when you trust me to take care of the cake, just know that the images will have that little “extra” fabulousness!
If you choose to bring your own cake, I do have a few tips for ordering:
• Taller is better than wider (you can achieve this by asking for 4+ layers)
• Try to stay away from chocolate cake as it can photograph as dirt or poop!
• Same thing for red – AVOID! The effect looks like blood when your baby is covered in red icing! Even a little bit of red can do it.
• 4-6 inches in diameter is plenty big enough
• Ask for buttercream on the outside because it’s easier for little fingers to get into than fondant is
• Some bakers will make the sponge layers airier and lighter so that the cake is easy for little fingers and mouths to eat, and some will also use less sugar
If you’re thinking about booking a first birthday cake smash session for your baby and have been on the fence about it because it sounds stressful or like too much planning, I hope that this article helped alleviate some of those worries! And if you’re in the Toronto area, give me a call or an email, I’d love to hear from you!
-Jessica
Jessica Nip Photography specializes providing a full service experience that starts with booking your session through to the beautiful tangible heirloom products being displayed in your home. Her style of soft, natural and light-filled imagery can be seen in all her maternity, newborn, child and family portraits in Toronto, Canada. Her favourite images are highlighted on the blog, but if you’d like to see what a full gallery looks like, please send her a note and she’d be happy to show you!
To inquire about a session, please click here or email Jessica at info@jessicanip.com.
