What is a cake smash? A cake smash is a session we do to celebrate a birthday and the baby or child is given a cake. We photograph them eating it to help commemorate this special event. It's that simple....except it's not..

So, what exactly is involved in a session and what does it include?

All of my cake smash sessions are customized to my clients' wishes, last around an hour, and include several different parts.
 
The first part is a simple, neutral set-up where I will take pictures of the baby or child (kids of ALL ages LOVE this type of session, including my own daughter!) , as well as a couple sibling/family portraits if you wish. I like to take these pictures because I find if parents are going to choose images to put on their walls, they often prefer classic, timeless portraits rather than a theme in the background.
 
When the simple set-up is over, we move onto part 2, the more elaborate set-up. I will then take a few more portraits of your child and then we bring out the cake and let the fun begin! Most babies do not typically eat much of the cake, but it's certainly a good time watching them play in it. When baby is done with the cake, we take pictures splashing in a little bath afterward. Smash-and-splash!
 
I will customize the set-up to your theme and colors and provide all decorations. I even have several outfits here for my little clients to wear, but you’re always welcome to bring your own if you'd prefer. Babies/children are able to wear an outfit for simple portraits and then change outfits for the smash. You are only responsible for bringing the cake, but I can give baker recommendations if you need. The best part is you get to go home and leave all the cleaning up to me!
 
After your session we will set up a time for you to come back to the studio for a Viewing & Ordering appointment. This is when you will get to see all images from your session, decide on your favorites, and what you would like to do with them. In the images below, you can see what a typical order looks like - an album to hold your memories, a set of mini-accordions to keep or share with grandparents, and small prints to do whatever you'd like with!

As you can see below, little Molly was a rock star for her session and LOVED her cake and bath!

Although this might be my first session share of the year, this cutie pie was actually the last baby I photographed in 2023. Born on December 21st, she came into the studio on December 31st!

Welcome to the world, Siena! You are surrounded by so much love from your family and you and big sis are going to be the best of friends!

Bringing a new baby into this world is full of all kinds of stress! You have so many decisions to make from which pediatrician to use, what brand of diapers to buy, to nurse or bottle feed, nursery decor, and the list goes on and on.

One thing that should be stress-free is your newborn session! Sure, you need to find a photographer first (see my previous post about that here: https://www.littlebloomsphotography.com/blog/how-do-i-choose-a-newborn-photographer), but the rest should be taken care of! You will have a few things you need to do to prepare, but your photographer should handle all the rest. That's where Little Blooms Photography comes in!

All of newborns sessions are completely tailored to your preferences and we'll plan out every detail of your baby's first portrait session together during our consultation and planning appointment. My Chadds Ford studio is filled with beautiful props, headbands/hats, wraps, and even outfit options for expecting and new moms and older siblings. I promise to take great care in keeping you and your family as comfortable as possible during your portrait session.

In the meantime, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions on how to prepare for your session:

When should I schedule my session?
You should reach out to book by your third trimester, which gives us enough time to meet and plan. Then, as far as an exact date, since babies' births are unpredictable, I ask clients to contact me within 48 hours after birth so that we can set a definite date.

When will sessions take place?
Newborns are best photographed in the first 2 weeks of life, but ideally between 6-12 days old. This time can be extended to up to 6 weeks old for in-home (lifestyle) sessions. Sessions in the studio take place at 9:30am.

Do I need to bring props with me?
I have a large collection of props, blankets, hats, & headbands, so you do NOT need to bring any props to your session. However, if you have something specific you would like to use, please let me know ahead of time and we can try to incorporate it into the session.

What DO I need to bring with me?
Just yourselves, normal diaper bag items (diapers, wipes, bottles/milk if bottle feeding), a pacifier, clothes for parents and siblings to wear for pictures, and anything you need to feel comfortable. The studio has a changing table, bottle warmer, boppy, snacks, water, TV, free Wifi, and LOTS of toys for older siblings to play with to make your time here as relaxed and stress free as possible!

What do I wear to the session?
Anything you want - you can even show up in your pajamas! However, what you should wear for your portraits is a different question. You will have PLENTY of time to get ready for your pictures here since sibling/parent pictures are at the end of the session. 

Ok, so what should I wear for the family pictures?
I recommend clients wear simple, neutral shirts or dresses. Something timeless and classic. My favorite color choice is white. However, you can choose to wear black, or any other color like navy blue. However, no matter your decision, all people should be in the SAME color palette. Your clothes should NOT be the focus of your session. The first thing we should see your family connection, not your clothes.

What do I dress my newborn in?
Your newborn should come to the studio in JUST a diaper, socks, hat, and a blanket tucked around them. The less clothes we have to remove the less likely I am to disturb them before beginning to pose.

Do I need to do anything special to help my baby sleep for the session?
Yes, BUUUTTTT it's super simple!!! I ask all my clients to wake baby up 1.5 hours before they plan to get in the car to travel to the studio. During this time they should try to keep baby awake. They should give baby a bath at some point in there and give a full feeding as the LAST thing they do before getting in the car. Baby will fall asleep in the car and that's perfect!

If you have ANY questions, at ANY time, I am always available via email or phone. I truly want to make sessions as relaxed and as easy for you as possible!

Choosing a newborn photographer can be a long process. Here are some pointers to make sure you're choosing the right one for you!

1) First, you need to decide what type of photographer you are looking for:
Do you want someone to be there to photograph the actual birth? This is called a birth photographer.
Do you want someone to come to the hospital to photograph your newborn, but not the birth? This is a Fresh 48 session.
Do you want someone to travel to your home and photograph your family in a relaxed setting/poses? This is called a lifestyle session.
Do you want someone to travel to you and bring props and lighting for posed images?
Do you want to go to a studio for someone to pose your baby in various props and poses?

2) Once you've decided what type of photographer, then you can start searching for someone in your area. Referrals from friends/family, Google, mom groups, etc are all great resources to look for names. If you are looking for a studio session, consider how far you are willing to travel for the photographer you want. Some people don't want to drive more than a few miles and some are willing to drive a few hours for the right person.

3) When looking for a photographer, you want to check out their images on their website and social media and make sure you LOVE their style. I also highly recommend asking photographers to share FULL client galleries. Many photographers only show their best images, and that may be the only few "good ones" they get some a session. You want to make sure their galleries of images are consistently high-quality work.

4) Read REVIEWS!!! And figure out if they have any credentials. Also, if safety of your newborn is a concern for you, don't be afraid to ask about their vaccination status, the cleanliness of their studio, and any safety precautions they have.

5) Look into how long the photographer has been in business and has been specializing in the type of session you want. You want someone with experience if they are going to be handling your brand new baby!

6) Ask yourself how much you value these pictures. You are going to find a photographer for every budget. Some will have more experience, some with less. Some will have higher-quality images, some will have basic images. How much are well done, lifelong memories worth to you? How much do you value someone's experience and creativity? Photographers are like shopping for handbags. Some people just want a basic bag to carry all their stuff. Some people really value luxury brands. Everyone values different things and often, you get what you pay for.


Some other things to consider:
I highly recommend choosing a photographer who will meet with you before hand. You should get the know the photographer, check out the studio to make sure you are comfortable and that's it's clean, and most-importantly meet the person who is going to be handling your brand new baby!

I also recommend choosing a photographer who has everything they need for your session. You should NOT have to stress over what items you need to provide for the session.

You should choose a photographer that doesn't leave the job half done. Sending you a gallery of images forces you to try and find time in your busy life to decided on which ones to choose, then which ones to print, which sizes to get, where to print to get a good quality, how to crop your image to fit the size, and ultimately you have to deal with any issues that arise in any of those steps. Also, that is an extra cost on top of what paid for the session. Choose a photographer who will walk you through that and provide you with beautiful printed products that you will have for years to come and can be passed down through generations, not stuck on a cloud somewhere for when you get the time.

Think about a time line you are hoping to have your images back by. Some photographers will have your images ready in a week and some can take up to 4-6 weeks for you to even see your digital images.


And, in case you didn't guess, Little Blooms Photographer offers all of the above considerations - meeting beforehand, having everything you need (plus snacks, water, bottle warmer, changing table, etc) for the session, providing heirloom quality products, and being able to have your images ready to see in about a week. Little Blooms Photography also has a 5-star rating on Google and Facebook, has been in business for 9 years and has always specialized in baby's first year. I have taken several in-person trainings throughout that time and am up to date on all vaccinations including Covid-19. LBP is also accredited with APNPI, published in magazines, and has won several awards.

Once again, I am so honored that this family drove all the way from Hoboken for another newborn session with me. I photographed big sister, Clara, 2 years ago when she was a newborn and last month I had the pleasure of photographing their newest addition, baby Scarlett! I love that mom wanted to do some similar props and poses as big sister's session, but also some set-ups that were unique to baby sister. Looking at the big smile on Scarlett's face, I'd say she agrees!

Yelloooow, can you hear me? I'm in Pennsylvania dreaming about who you'll grow up to be...

Sorry, I had to 😂 Do you have that Adele song stuck in your head now?

Anyway, it's no secret that I absolutely love the color yellow and totally wish more parents would request it, both for boys and girls. I also love this little dude, Hayden, who was beyond amazing at his newborn session back at the end of January! He was one of those babies who let me move him in any position without a peep or twitch. As a newborn photographer, I recognize that it's not the norm, but it makes my job a lot easier!

And, can we also discuss how absolutely adorable he looks in that panda hat?!? Such a cute theme for a nursery and I hope mom and dad hang a big picture of him in his room! It would make up for the fact that dad is a big NY Jets fan instead of an Eagles fan (go birds!) Just kidding!

New Years Resolution: Now that I have a new computer, be better at sharing sessions so I don't have a giant backlog of folders...

So, let's start with the last baby I photographed who was born in 2022: Beau Phoenix!

He is a sunrise twin, which is a term I hadn't heard of before. Many people have heard of rainbow babies -the child that is born after a loss. My own son, now almost 11, is one. But sunrise sunset twins are when one baby survives and the other unfortunately does not. The surviving twin is the sunrise baby because the sunrise brings a new day and a sense of hope. The twin that passes in the womb is the sunset baby because it symbolizes the end of the day and the slow fade of light. It is incredibly sad, but also a beautiful recognition. Mom and Dad obviously wanted to incorporate this into their session in remembrance, so you'll see the onesie and sun images in his gallery represent this. I was a bit emotional photographing him with the onesie and definitely shed a tear or two while editing his gallery.

On another note, I have been photographing this family since big sister, Genevieve, was an infant. They came in for my Christmas session back in 2018 and then we did her cake smash a couple months later in January 2019. Now at 5 years old, she is the sweetest big sister and Jameson is the best big brother to keep them both in line!

I really do love seeing my clients grow year after year and watching their families add new additions and grow older. Although I specialize in baby's first year, I do offer limited edition sessions where older children and families can come for updated pictures. If you want to be on the list for those releases, make sure you sign up for my newsletter here.


Welcome to the world, Beau! You are surrounded by so much love and I know your twin is watching over you from heaven!

Do you have a little one who will be turning the big one this year? Cake smashes are a great way to celebrate this once in a lifetime milestone!

All of my cake smash sessions are completely tailored to your preferences and we'll plan out every detail of this portrait session together during our consultation and planning appointment. A cake smash session includes several parts and lasts around 1-1.5 hours long.
 
The first part is a simple, neutral set-up where I will take pictures of baby, as well as a couple sibling/family portraits if you wish. I like to take these pictures because I find if parents are going to choose images to put on their walls, they often prefer classic, timeless portraits rather than a theme in the background. (See first set of images in the slideshow above for examples).
 
When the simple set-up is over, we move onto part 2, the more elaborate set-up. I will then take a few more portraits of your child and then we bring out the cake and let the fun begin! Most babies do not typically eat much of the cake, but it's certainly a good time watching them play in it. When baby is done with the cake, we take pictures splashing in a little bath afterward. Smash-and-splash! (See the themed images in the slideshow above for examples of this part).
 
I will customize the set-up to your theme and colors and provide all decorations. I even have several outfits here for my little clients to wear, but you’re always welcome to bring your own if you'd prefer. You are only responsible for bringing the baby and the cake. The best part is you get to go home and leave all the cleaning up to me!
 
After your session we will set up a time for you to come back to the studio for a Viewing & Ordering appointment. This is when you will get to see all images from your session, decide on your favorites, and what you would like to do with them. (See examples of a client order at the end of the slideshow above).
 
A cake smash session fee is $200, and is the only amount due upon booking. This fee covers an in-studio planning appointment to customize your session, a portrait session lasting 1-1.5 hours, and the ordering appointment where you'll get to see your final images for the very first time (everyone's favorite part!). All products are purchased separately at that appointment. Prints begin at $190, collections range from $990-2990, large framed art begins at $1090, and albums begin at $1990. Matching digital files are provided for every image you purchase in print form. The ultimate "final" price is completely dependent on clients and what they choose to purchase. Some clients are looking for a few, key portraits and some are interested in lots of images in an album and pieces for their walls. Coming into the studio to see all of the artwork options helps in better explaining all of the product details.

Still have more questions? Read on for some more answers:

When should I book my baby's session?
Cake smashes *usually* take place around 11-12 months of age, so please contact me by the time baby is 8-10 months old. I can occasionally accommodate a last minute session, but typically I book up at least a month or two in advance.

When will my session take place?
Cake smash sessions should be scheduled when your baby is happiest! That means, after a good nap and possibly a small snack (not too much because we want them to be a bit hungry). Some babies are great car sleepers and can get their snooze on the way to the studio, if it is a long distance. Typically most parents schedule these sessions after baby's morning nap, usually around 11am-1pm. However, they can be scheduled anytime during business hours.

What kind of cake should I get?
Cakes should either be a 3-tiered 4" cake or a two-tiered 6" cake. They should be vanilla (no chocolate!), and have fluffy icing for easy smashing. Icing colors should be white or pastels as bright/dark colors tend to stain skin. You can make your own or find a reputable baker. Some local bakers that I recommend are Jeni's All About That Cake (Morgantown/Exton),  The Kake Lady (Quarryville) and the Cake Crafter (West Chester). If your child has allergies, Butter Cream Bliss by Bina makes amazing vegan cakes (dairy and egg free, soy-free upon request). All of the above bakers can accommodate nut-free ingredients.

What should my baby wear?
I have a large variety of outfits here that fit babies 6-18 months to make the experience stress free. There are TONS. of dresses and rompers in neutrals and pastel colors for baby girls and onesies, overalls, and suspender sets for baby boys. However, if you choose to bring your own outfit please choose one that fits the theme and colors. My favorite shops to choose outfits from are Mia Joy Studio, Cora and Violet, Indigo and Lace, Threads & Evergreen, Pretty Pink Ruffles, Fox & Heron, and of course Gap Kids and Janie & Jack if you need something in store and quickly.

With the snow outside today making driving out of the question, I figured it was a good day to stay inside, sit by the fireplace with a cup of coffee, and get caught up on sharing sessions.

First up is this gorgeous expecting mom who had her heart set on outdoor snow pictures and thankfully Mother Nature delivered! We were able to hop outside in the yard for a few quick pictures and then back in for the warmer portion!

Maternity sessions aren't something I do a lot of, but I wish I did more. I know many moms, like myself, didn't feel pretty or comfortable while pregnant, but I'm here to tell you that you are glowing! Pregnancy is such an amazing milestone to capture - your body is doing a miracle - it's growing a new life! The studio is filled with a variety of dresses for your use (all 4 of the dresses this mom is wearing are from the client closet here at the studio) and we can even arrange hair and make up to be done on site if you wish.

Considering getting maternity pictures done? Here are some frequently asked questions regarding sessions:

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When should I have maternity pictures done?
Maternity pictures are best done between 30-35 weeks when a woman has a nice round belly, without feeling too uncomfortable yet. However, this date could be earlier for those expecting multiples or who are anticipating an early delivery.

When should I book my maternity session?
Please contact me at least three months ahead of time. I can occasionally accommodate a last minute session, but typically I book up at least a month in advance.

How long will the session last?
Maternity sessions can be done as simple 30 minute sessions in the studio or outdoors. If you want to do both indoor and outdoor, we can arrange a time, or times, to do both!

Where will my session take place?
Maternity sessions can take place indoors year-round as well as outdoors from March-November. Yes, snow pictures can be taken in the winter too!

When will my session take place?
Maternity sessions are scheduled Monday-Friday. Outdoor maternity sessions are scheduled ~1 hour before sunset.

What should I wear?
I have a variety of different maternity dresses (pale blue, blush pink, white/cream, gray, black, navy, red, and champagne colored) for you to wear for your session. You will be able to see them in person when you come in for your pre-session consultation. However, if you choose to wear your own outfit or pose nude, that is fine too!

Baby Ashtyn was the first baby back in the studio for a posed newborn session. Born during the pandemic, she wasn't able to come in during the typical first 2 weeks of life, but at 6 weeks old, she proved that age is just a number! She was an AMAZING sleeper with a full belly, and that squish is perfection!!!

There are so many extra precautions being taken these days to ensure the safety of my little clients and their families, as well as my own. I'm so thankful parents put their trust in me to capture these extra special memories.

There is truly nothing I love more than watching my little clients grow up (okay....maybe that's tied with baby snuggles....) and these two have been with me since their newborn session. I cannot believe Jackie and Katie are 2 now! I feel like that first session was just the other day; time truly does get faster and faster every year.

To celebrate this momentous birthday, we had a baking party! Treats were courtesy of The Cake Crafter and the girls loved them all!

Happy 2nd birthday, Jackie and Katie!

Adorable, sweet, happy Daisy. How I will miss seeing you every 6 months! You have been a sweetheart since day 1 and I know you will continue to be such a light in your family's life always. I love that mom choose a completely simple session to focus and highlight YOU!

Happy first birthday, Daisy!

Another 2020 session in the books, another amazing little newborn! Baby Maclin was in the studio with his super sweet parents for his big modeling debut. He slept right through it all and when he was done, he was one of the most calm, alert babies ever. I know Mom and Dad are over the moon that he is finally here and are truly so blessed!

Welcome to the world, baby Mac!

Let's face it, 2 year olds are wild cards. Actually, all toddlers are. Those fickle creatures can be super sweet and loving one minute and throwing full blown tantrums the next. So, it goes without saying that I take a bunch of deep breaths a little bit before one comes into the studio. However, this beautiful little girl completely restored my faith (for now...) in toddlers! She was the most well-behaved, cooperative, sweet 2 year old I have ever met! Aria was eager to sit on my stool and look at the camera. Then, once the teddy bear came out, she immediately hugged and kissed it and gave the biggest smiles of the day. We had lots of smiley images, but I loved that mom choose a bunch of "serious" faces too because her sweet little eyes are so soulful!

Adorable little Charlotte was in the studio last month for her newborn session, and she was simply as perfect as could be. She was so calm, and peacefully sleeping that she barely moved as I was posing her. Sweet Charlottle was also surrounded by SO much love as her parents, big sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother joined her. It was such a pleasure to meet them all and they love they have for her already was just radiating throughout the room.

Below are some of my favorites from her session and I cannot wait to see how they look on their new gallery wall and in Charlotte's nursery!

Sweet little Audrey was in the Kennett Square studio last week to celebrate her first birthday! Mom chose to do an English Garden theme for her Customized Bloom session. This theme is a nod to Audrey's heritage, as she has both American and British citizenships - so awesome!

Here are some of the favorites from her session, which included some simple, classic portraits (perfect for those big portraits on the wall!!) as well as the themed set-up.