How to prepare for the Cake Smash session

I’ve created this guide to help you feel relaxed and fully prepared, so your session is easy, smooth and enjoyable.

Don’t worry, I’ll guide you through the entire session and help with posing, timing, and everything in between. 


🕐 Timing matters

The best time for your session is after your baby’s nap and feeding, when they’re happy and relaxed.

I always allow extra time, so everything feels calm and not rushed. To make the experience stress-free, I reserve up to 2 hours in my schedule for each client, just in case things don’t go exactly as planned. With little ones, delays can happen, you might arrive a bit later, need extra time to settle, or take small breaks, and that’s completely okay! However I kindly ask you to try to arrive on time and keep everything within the 2-hour window. The actual session itself is much shorter (depending on your package), and usually takes 40-60 min including outfit changes.

I do this so you can feel relaxed and not rushed, because your mood truly affects your baby’s mood.


👗 What to wear

  • Keep outfits simple and neutral
  • Avoid bright logos or busy patterns
  • Soft tones (beige, white, soft colours) look the most timeless
  • Bring 1-2 outfit options if you’re unsure
  • I also have a few baby outfits available in the studio, you’re welcome to use them

Please note that outdoor shoes are not permitted inside the studio. Feel free to bring clean indoor shoes for photos if you prefer. Bare foot is fine too. Thank you for helping me keep the space clean and safe for your little ones!


🎂 About the cake

The cake is not included in the session, but you’re welcome to bring your own or order one through a baker.

I’m currently working with a local baker who can prepare and deliver the cake directly to my studio. The cakes are approximately 1 kg and made with high-quality ingredients and a light vanilla cream cheese frosting — just perfect for little ones!

The estimated price is $50–65, depending on the complexity of the design. This is a special price for my clients, and delivery to the studio is included, so the cake will be ready for your session. You’re also welcome to send me your preferences or inspiration photos for the design.

Alternatively, you’re welcome to bring your own cake or pick up a small one from Sobeys or a similar store, usually for around $20–30. If you’re bringing your own cake, I recommend choosing a small, round cake in a light pastel color — preferably white or cream. These colors photograph beautifully and work best with the studio setup. A store-bought cake is a good option if you’re mainly planning to use it for the cake smash portion of the session and don’t plan to keep it afterward.

If you’d like something that looks beautiful in photos and is made with baby-friendly ingredients, I recommend the custom cake option. Please let me know which option works best for you!


🧸 What to bring

  • Snacks your baby loves
  • Water for your baby
  • Favorite toy or comfort item (helps with attention)
  • Wipes & extra clothes (for after cake smash)


👶 What to expect

Every baby is different, some are curious and active, others need a little time to warm up.

That’s completely okay! I gently guide the session and always follow your baby’s mood. However at this age babies often react best to familiar faces. I'm a new person for them, and I don't always know what will make them smile. That's why I keep things calm and non-intrusive, so we don't overwhelm them or turn smiles into tears. And you play, talk, sing, make them laugh. That's how we get those real emotions and natural photos.

The session is planned in a natural, relaxed flow:

  • we start with clean portraits of your baby
  • then take family and sibling photos (if included in your package)
  • and finish with the cake smash part

The cake is always introduced at the end, so we can capture beautiful, clean images first

Don’t worry, I’ll guide you through the entire session and help with posing, timing, and everything in between


📸 After the session

  • You’ll receive a proof gallery in 1-3 days to choose your favorite images
  • Your package includes a set number of edited photos
  • You can always upgrade: 1 image $10, 10 images $50, full gallery $75

Final images are delivered within up to 1 week


❤️ My goal

To make your experience easy, relaxed and enjoyable, so you can just enjoy the moment while I capture it


If you have any questions, feel free to message me anytime!

I’m always happy to help!