Let them make mess! Why cake smashes are becoming so popular
I've got to admit, it took me a while to understand the cake smash trend!
I was like, why would I give my kid sugary food and let them make a gigantic mess? And then try to take pictures? But a few years ago, a client requested a cake smash, so I gave it a try. Now they’re one of my favourite types of session!
What I found was that 1 year olds are the absolute cutest, and this is a way of capturing them in their element – trying something new, engaging their senses, making a huge mess, and splashing around with water and bubbles.
So many parents want to capture their baby around 1 year old, in the fleeting few months as they transition from baby to toddler. A cake smash makes the whole experience fun for little ones. We usually start with a family portrait, some portraits of baby in their cute wee outfit before it gets messy, then we bring out the cake.
For many babies, it’s their first cake experience! Some embrace it with enthusiasm, and some are definitely skeptical. But pretty much every little one enjoys splashing in the bath in the second half of the session.
And parents love that they don’t have to clean up after!
Top tips for cake smashes:
- The cake can be totally simple: just a supermarket sponge with a bit of buttercream icing (or canned whipped cream if you’re really short on time!) will do the trick. I have a variety of cake toppers to make it look pretty for the few minutes before it gets smashed. (On the other hand, if you want an epically beautiful cake, check out the 6” cakes at www.ohsugar.co.nz )
- If your little one has a favourite treat, bring some along in case they aren’t a fan of the cake
- Don’t forget a clean outfit for travelling home in!
- Practice splashing with them in the bath at home so they can get really into it at the cake smash (splashing shots are the best!)
