What Is A Cake Smash?
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Cake Smash

2019-09-30T16:56:14+00:00

Why celebrate with a cake smash session?

Everyone is talking about it, sharing their pictures, but no one is asking what is a Cake Smash?

Cake Smash Sessions are absolutely our favorite sessions to shoot in the studio.  Why?  You take a perfectly decorated cake, put it in front of your 1 year old and let them smash it and get pictures of the whole thing!  Sounds like so much fun, right?

It’s often their first taste of sugar. We capture all moments, from that first hand into the cake, their expression as they feel the smoosh of frosting through their tiny fingers and the priceless moment of cake meets face; their little tongue licking the icing, the cake smearing all over their face and hair, everywhere. A cake smash isn’t about posed family shots or siblings or coordinated outfits. Because this is a special time for the birthday child to have all attention on them in total celebration of their first year in a relaxed and carefree atmosphere.

  • THE CAKE. Get a mini cake or large cupcake.

  • THE OUTFIT. Bring in one birthday outfit that won’t be covered in frosting, and one outfit that will definitely get messy.

  • THE FIRST BIRTHDAY PORTRAIT. We start every session with a few timeless photos of your birthday child. These are cakeless and often include family.

  • DONT CHOOSE A LARGE CAKE. We recommend a cake that is 6 inches or smaller, or a large cupcake. We don’t want the size of the cake to seem larger than your child.

  • THE SMASH. The birthday baby gets stripped down to explore the cake. Several shots will include the cake without the smash then the cake is a fun game.

  • TIMELESS MEMORIES. The end result is a artwork that will capture their one year old spirit.

The easiest way to to make this a great experience is to sit back and let us do what we love to do.  Enjoy watching your child do what they do best, be themselves.  Don’t stress, we’ve done this hundreds of times.  Even if your child isn’t into the cake, we promise we will still get amazing photos.

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FAQ

We answer your most commonly asked questions, including what should my child wear or what kind of cake should I get and more.

PRICING

We have several different packages to choose from. Packages start at $350. Add a bubble bath at the end of your cake smash for $30.

QUESTIONNAIRE

Fill out our cake smash questionnaire. We want to know more about your cake, outfits, and props before your session so we are prepared in advance.

CONTACT US

Still not sure?  Need more information? Please give us a call at 212-600-4457 with any questions you may have. We are happy to answer all your questions.

Tips & Tricks
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Cake Smash

2019-09-30T18:01:18+00:00

Tips & Tricks for a fun cake smash

  • THE MESSIER THE BETTER. This may seem counter-intuitive to some parents, but a kid smiling with a perfectly untouched cake is just plain boring. Yes, we may take a shot or two of this if it occurs, but what we’re really looking for are the sprinkles everywhere, the frosting all over baby legs and faces & the enthusiasm of a one year old who has just discovered sugar. Dipping hands in water and then in a bowl of sprinkles can create excitement in an unenthused child & helps add mess where there wasn’t any. And smearing icing across the face always works as well.

  • CHILD NOT SMILING, NO PROBLEM. Oftentimes, your one year old will be so enthralled with his cake mess that he won’t look at you or smile at the camera. No worries! This is very normal. Trust that the photos are still going to be adorable, and that your child’s curiosity will surpass your expectations. If the child is really occupied with the cake, this is the perfect opportunity to get some close up shots of little frosting covered hands & feet.

  • SHOW SKIN! Chubby baby legs and feet are really the secret to this photo session. Bring a plain onesie & a diaper cover– At Big Apple Portraits, it’s all about the accessories. Birthday hats, necklaces, cake stands all make the shot special. We will take some photos with the onesie & some without. Some of our favorite outfit choices include a cute tutu that matches the cake or any props you decided to bring.

  • BOOK YOUR CAKE SMASH EARLY. This means book early in every sense.  Make sure the cake smash is scheduled before your child’s birthday.  We usually recommend at least 3 weeks before their birthday.  We want to make sure that if you want to use any of the fun images for the party you will have them in advance.  You should also schedule for early in the day.  Our experience has shown that one year olds do not do well after about 3pm.

  • MAKE A CLEANUP PLAN. This will get messier than you think. Consider bringing a friend along to help clean up the cake mess while you give your little one a bath. If the cake does not get put away, you might just have to start the bathing process all over again! You should also bring a change of clothes for yourself, just in case.  Of course, at Big Apple Portraits, we clean up the scene for you & set up all the shots. Our no sitting fee policy means that even if your child is having a bad day, you don’t waste a cent– just come back another time!

A cake smash is the best way to celebrate a first birthday. We offer photo books, collages, & canvas wraps to celebrate the special day. These make great gifts for yourself & family

BOOK NOW
FAQ

We answer your most commonly asked questions, including what should my child wear or what kind of cake should I get and more.

PRICING

We have several different packages to choose from. Packages start at $350. Add a bubble bath at the end of your cake smash for $30.

QUESTIONNAIRE

Fill out our cake smash questionnaire. We want to know more about your cake, outfits, and props before your session so we are prepared in advance.

CONTACT US

Still not sure?  Need more information? Please give us a call at 212-600-4457 with any questions you may have. We are happy to answer all your questions.

Big Apple Cake Smash Pricing
Cake Smash Pricing
Gallery

Cake Smash

2019-09-30T16:54:37+00:00

Frequently Asked Questions

How To Prepare For A Cake Smash

Book A Cake Smash Session

**Please note there is a $75 fee for multiples during a cake smash session

Book A Cake Smash Session
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Cake Smash

2021-04-15T14:34:37+00:00

Schedule your session online

Turning ONE is a huge milestone and before you know it, they will be walking and talking. For one year old birthdays, we have a special photoshoot called a Cake Smash session. We do a normal half hour appointment capturing those chubby legs and first teeth. The last ten minutes are spent devouring delicious cake!

We capture the “what is this sticky substance on my finger” and the “mmmmm SUGAR” faces followed by the full cupcake hand squeeze. Introduce your kid to sugar in front of the camera and see what fabulous faces we capture. Book your cake smash today.

  • EARLY MORNINGS ARE BEST. Your little one may smile with joy at the end of the day. Usually in the comfort of home. Experience tells us for one year olds it’s better to book your cake smash earlier in the morning.

  • BEFORE OR AFTER NAPS. Schedule your session around your child’s naptime. Give enough time before the nap to avoid the pre-sleep groggies. If your session is after naptime, give enough time to be fully awake and have food before the the session begins.

  • INCLUDING THE FAMILY. You are welcome to include family in the begining of the session. This session is about the 1 year old and we want to make sure their schedule takes priority. This gives us the best chance of giant smiles and photos to remember.

  • REVEAL SESSION. We do not charge a session fee. Because of this, you will need to come back for a reveal session. All decision makes should be present since you will choose you package at the reveal. Childcare is not provided so plan this session when you have help to leave the little one at home or during a naptime if you can nap them in the stroller.

Book A Session
Choosing A Cake
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Cake Smash

2019-06-04T20:18:54+00:00

Ideas to help select the best cake for your smash

Choosing a cake is really one of the most important things for your cake smash…of course, only second to your baby.  However, we know that choosing a cake can seem overwhelming.  Here are some great tips to make the process easier, and stress-fee:

  • PICK YOUR OWN CAKE. You get to choose the cake. We always ask parents to provide the cake, that way you’ll be able to be sure to get the look you want.  You will also be able to take into consideration any dietary needs or allergies your child may have.

  • DONT CHOOSE A LARGE CAKE. We recommend a cake that is 6 inches or smaller, or a large cupcake. We don’t want the size of the cake to seem larger than your child.

  • AVOID FONDANT. Fondant, while it looks great on the cake, doesn’t make it easy for your baby to smash the cake. Make sure the icing is soft and pliable. Whipped frosting or a light buttercream are our favorites. They smoosh the easiest for your child. The color of the icing should remain light. Pastel colors photograph beautifully.

  • DON’T CHOOSE CHOCOLATE OR RED VELVET. When they smash the cake, the chocolate or red velvet tend to look like other things rather than cake. We prefer plain vanilla or white cake. You can really go with any flavor or type of cake though.

  • DECORATE THE SIDES, NOT THE TOP.  We ask that the sides are decorated more than the top because when the cake is photographed, it is from the side and not from the top.  We love sprinkles, fun stripes, or polka dots. You can even do your child’s name on the side instead of the top.

A few tips for the cake before you arrive.

  • If the cake has been refrigerated, please allow it to get to room temperature before arriving.
  • Feel free to bring your own extra decorations, number one candles, sprinkles, etc.
  • When travelling, be sure your cake is in a travel safe container.  We don’t want any of the frosting or decorations to be ruined.
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WHOLE FOODS

Hands down our favorite and probably the lowest price option.  They have the greatest little 6” cakes.  You can even get your cake customized for you child.  They do require your order at least 3 days in advance.

MOMOFUKU MILKBAR

We love their 6” birthday cake option!  So cute with the layers and confetti cake.  It is however a pricier option.  They also require orders 3 days in advance.

GROCERY STORE

Or your favorite bakery. Choose from your favorite place to shop.  They all have great cake options, just keep in mind our tips.  Also if you are customizing, be sure to check with them how many days you need to order in advance.

HOMEMADE

We have also seen some amazing homemade cakes!  Maybe you are a talented baker or have a friend that is.  We have been extremely impressed.  Keep in mind our tips when decorating.

We have a few favorite spots to get a cake from.

What To Wear
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Cake Smash

2019-06-04T20:13:55+00:00

Help picking the perfect outfit for your cake smash

The outfit your baby wears will be an important part of the photo session. We recommend that you choose the cake first, as it, along with your baby, will be the star of the show. Then choose clothing that compliments the color of the cake. Some additional things to consider:

  • SHOW SKIN. White onesies, tutus, and blue jeans always photograph well. We recommend simple with lots of skin showing to get messy.

  • COVER THE DIAPER. If you choose to leave your baby mostly undressed for the session, remember that a cute diaper cover will be more attractive than a disposable diaper alone. We have plenty of diaper covers that are plain for your use.

  • BRING ACCESSORIES. Accessories such as bows, ribbons, crowns, fun ties, suspenders, and necklaces can add interest to your photos. We have a selection of party hats.  Accessories are also an easy way to change the look of their outfit without having to do a full change.

  • WASHABLE. Of course, make sure that any outfit you choose will be easy to wash after the festivities are over.

There are tons of outfit combinations and they all look cute! Please check out etsy.com for a great place to find that special ensemble.

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PERFECT OUTFIT

Don’t stress about bringing the perfect outfit. Bring something your child is happy and comfortable in.
They will be much happier if you do and it will show in their photos.

EXTRA CLOTHES

Be sure to pack an extra of clothes for your baby. Don’t forget extra clothes for yourself either. Your little one will want love and reassurance and will ultimately touch you with sticky hands.

WASHABLE

Make sure whatever outfit you do decide to bring, that it can be washed or tossed. There are a lot of times when the food coloring from the frosting will stain the outfit.

ACCESSORIES

We love extra accessories! They are a cute way to change the look of your outfit without having to actually change your child. Put them together in a bag the night before so you don’t forget anything.

Vintage Bubble Baths
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Cake Smash

2019-06-04T20:04:55+00:00

Take Bath In Our Vintage Bathtubs

For the past few years we have been collecting vintage bath tubs. They were the perfect size to keep little crawlers and active kids contained while still looking adorable. There was no water, just little kids in tubs.

Then we really got to thinking. What if we added some bubbles and water to the vintage tubs and starting shooting the cleanup. Same big mess – even more fun!

We spent a long while trying to perfect the bubble bath. Here are some tips we discovered while trying to perfect these sessions:

  • NOT ALL BUBBLES ARE EQUAL. We found not all bubble bath solutions are the same. Baby bubble bath solutions are not as good as the gentle adult body washes.

  • JUST THE RIGHT SIZE BUBBLES. Our bubble machine made too many bubbles. First we tried hand blowing which is near impossible with a camera in your hand. And the bubbles come out too big. Handblown bubbles are just too big. Invest in a handheld bubble gun. You can aim the bubbles to fall right in front of the bath which means no bubbles in the eyes or weird squints.

  • USE A VINYL FLOORING. We have vinyl floors and rubberized bottom fake wood mats. The mats got soaked so we are sticking to the vinyl. There are a ton of vinyl floordrops available that look just like wood too.

  • WEAR A BATHING SUIT. Bring vintage bathing costumes. Just another fun way to celebrate a first birthday.

Extend your cake smash session by ending with a bubble bath. A perfect way to clean up the mess

ADD TO YOUR CAKE SMASH

Our vintage bathtubs are a great add on to your session. It also extends your session by an extra 10 minutes to get a few more cute photos.

GREAT PHOTOS

Babies love the bathtub. Even if they have a meltdown at the end of the cake smash, the bathtub is a great way for them to relax and ease back into those big smiles.

BRING A BATHING SUIT

We love naked babies but a vintage bathing suit is an adorable way to make the bathtub even cuter. Don’t forget the rubber duckies!

BUBBLES

Bubbles are a fun way to add some dimension to your photos. Also what child doesn’t absolutely LOVE bubbles.

Vintage Bath Tub Cake Smash

All About The Mess
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Cake Smash

2019-09-30T19:08:01+00:00

Things are about to get very messy

Naturally, your little one is going to make quite a mess during the photo shoot – and that’s a big part of the fun!

  • BRING WIPES. While we supply a towel and have a stash of wipes in the studio, bringing extra wipes can’t hurt.  Also having your own towel or washcloth for clean up may be helpful.

  • EXTRA CLOTHES FOR THE BABY. Please bring a change of clothes for your baby to make sure he is happy and comfortable after the festivities. There is no telling how much of a mess they are going to make.

  • EXTRA CLOTHES FOR YOU. Remember, once your baby’s session is over, they are going to want lots of hugs and kisses from you. There is a good chance you will get covered in cake and icing as well. So please remember to bring a change of clothes for you in addition to your child.

  • TAKE A BATH. Of course, you could always add a vintage bubble bath to the end of your session.  It’s an easy way to clean up your messy baby and we clean up the rest.

The best part of a cake smash photography session is that we do most of the clean up for you!

 

FAQ

We answer your most commonly asked questions, including what should my child wear or what kind of cake should I get and more.

PRICING

We have several different packages to choose from. Packages start at $350. Add a bubble bath at the end of your cake smash for $30.

QUESTIONNAIRE

Fill out our cake smash questionnaire. We want to know more about your cake, outfits, and props before your session so we are prepared in advance.

CONTACT US

Still not sure?  Need more information? Please give us a call at 212-600-4457 with any questions you may have. We are happy to answer all your questions.

Messy Cake Smash

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