What to Expect in Your Cake Smash & Splash Photography Session
A cake smash session is a joyful, messy, personality‑filled celebration of your little one’s first birthday. Every child approaches their cake differently — some dive right in, some take their time, and some prefer to stay clean — and all of these reactions make for beautiful, genuine photos. Your session is designed to be fun, relaxed and completely centred around your child’s comfort.
A Calm, Child-Lead Experience
Cake smash sessions are wonderfully unpredictable, and that’s part of the magic. Some children love making a mess, while others may be hesitant or uninterested in eating the cake. All reactions are normal, and I work gently with your child’s pace, personality and comfort level.
There is no pressure for your little one to perform or “smash” the cake in a particular way. Whether they poke, taste, squish, smash or simply explore, the session will unfold naturally and beautifully.
The Cake Smash Setup
Your session begins with a styled setup that matches your chosen theme or colour palette. The cake is placed within easy reach, and your child is encouraged to explore it however they wish. I capture a mix of portraits, reactions, details and messy moments — whatever your child feels comfortable offering.
Patience is key. Some children warm up slowly, and giving them time to adjust helps create genuine expressions and relaxed photos. Parents are also welcome to get involved to show it's okay to get their hands messy and demonstrate cake destruction.
The Splash Session
After the cake smash, we move into the splash portion (if requested) — a warm water/milk bath in a small tub that helps clean your child while creating adorable, playful images. Most little ones love this part, especially if they enjoy water at home.
Please bring a towel to dry your child afterwards.
Safety & Comfort
Your child’s safety is always the top priority. The splash tub is filled with warm water, and I remain close by at all times. Parents are encouraged to stay within arm’s reach during the bath portion to help keep bub steady and comfortable.
All props, decorations and surfaces are cleaned and sanitised between sessions.
Preparing for Your Session
A little preparation helps the session run smoothly:
Before You Arrive
- Feed your child beforehand so they’re happy and energised.
- Avoid introducing new foods on the day of the session.
- Bring a towel or two for the splash portion.
- Pack a spare outfit for your child (and possibly for yourself).
- Let your child nap as normal — a well‑rested baby is more relaxed.
- Bring water or milk if your child needs a drink during the session.
Clothing Tips
- Choose an outfit that suits the theme and can get messy (otherwise I have a range of outfits to choose from)
- Bring a clean outfit for family photos if included in your package.
- Avoid tight clothing before the session to prevent marks on the skin.
What If My Child Doesn’t Want to Smash the Cake?
This is extremely common. Some children prefer to:
- Touch the cake gently
- Play with decorations instead
- Eat only a tiny amount
- Avoid the cake entirely
All of these reactions are perfectly fine. I work with whatever your child feels comfortable doing, and we still capture beautiful, personality‑filled images.
What If My Child Doesn’t Like Water?
If your child is unsure about the splash tub, we take things slowly. Some children prefer:
- Sitting without splashing
- Playing with bubbles
- Holding a familiar toy
- Skipping the bath entirely
The splash session is flexible and always adapted to your child’s comfort.
After Your Session
- Once your child is dried and dressed, you can relax while I tidy up.
- Your gallery will be delivered within 3 weeks after your session date (I will communicate immediately if there are any delays)
- You’ll receive a curated selection of images
- Additional images or the complete gallery can be purchased if you wish
- Your gallery link will remain active until after your images are purchased
Parent-Friendly Checklist
Bring With You
- Towel for the splash session
- Spare outfit for your child
- Water or milk
- Wipes and nappies
- Any comfort items your child may need
Before the Session
- Feed your child
- Let them nap as normal
- Avoid new foods
- Dress them in an outfit suitable for mess
- Bring a clean outfit for after the splash
During the Session
- Expect mess — or no mess at all
- Patience is key
- Follow your child’s lead
- Stay close during the splash portion
- Enjoy the experience — it’s meant to be fun
After the Session
- Gallery delivered within your package timeframe
- Option to purchase additional images
- Clear instructions for downloading and saving your gallery
