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!

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.

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!

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.

On this first day of spring, what could be more appropriate than sharing an adorable session filled with florals? Of course it's way better than looking out the window, which is showing nothing but sleet and snow. :( Where is spring?! It sure seems like the never ending winter here.

Miss Penelope came in for her session session the other week and it was so fun to see how much she has grown since she was a newborn! She's now full of smiles and personality and it was nice her big brother, Jamison, was able to get in a few pictures too. I can't wait to see her again in just a few short months for the cake smash. The first year really flies by way too fast!

Oh sweet McKinleigh! What a pleasure it was to see you and your family again. You have grown so much since your newborn session 7 months ago (and I can't believe you are already on the go!), and I cannot to wait to see how much more you grow in the next 5 months. With those adorable chubby cheeks, big brown eyes, and such an easy-going demeanor, I'm sure your parents wish they could keep you little forever! I hope these pictures will help them freeze this small moment in time and that your own children look back at these with joy.

It was such a pleasure to have little Ellie in the studio this morning to celebrate her first birthday with a cake smash. She has the biggest, most beautiful brown eyes and longest lashes ever! She is also so full of personality and smiles and had no problem digging right into her cake and getting messy! I'm sure with two older brothers that getting messy is a normal occurrence. ;)

Happy first birthday, Ellie!

Miss Brielle is exactly 7 months old today and came in for her sitter session. She is one of my Watch Me Grow Plan babies and I was SO excited to have her back! Bree has gotten so big and has quite the personality! I'm sure she will be just as much of a hoot when she has her cake smash session.

I really do love when my little newborn clients come back to see me! It always amazes me how much they've grown and all the personality they have now. Miss Gabriella is no exception. She's walking, talking, and is such a smiley baby! Mom was looking for a whimsical, fairy theme for her first birthday, and so she got just that. I think every little girl should be allowed to wear fairy wings and eat icing off a spoon on their birthday!

Happy first birthday, Gabriella!

2 blog posts in one day? Unheard of for me, but I couldn't WAIT to share more images of Mr. Adorable (aka Adam)! He is such a smiley baby, so full of personality, and truly has this baby model gig down. ;)  Adam is on my Watch Me Grow plan, so I've seen him for his newborn session, this sitter session, and I cannot wait for his cake smash session in July!

It has been such a joy watching this little girl grow! From an unknown in momma's belly, to a beautiful newborn baby girl, and an independent one-year old, Keira is so full of life, curiosity, and cuteness! I will miss seeing her every 6 months; those lashes and dimples make me melt every time!! But, I hope to see her again in the future. Happy first birthday, cutie pie!

Last time I saw this adorable little guy, he was only 5 months old. Now look how big he is! That first year seriously goes by in the blink of an eye, and doesn't slow down!! Soak it all in, parents. Before you know it they will be off to kindergarden and then college. You want to remember all those little details and important milestones!

Lucas LOVES Elmo, it was even his Halloween costume! So, what better way to celebrate than with a Sesame Street themed cake smash, complete with an adorable cake by The Kake Lady and all his favorite main characters.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LUCAS!!! I hope your day was as wonderful and special as you are!

Watching little Miss Phoebe grow this past year has been a lot of fun. She is so full of personality and definitely knows what she likes and doesn't like, right mom?!


And, what better way to celebrate a first birthday than with a cake smash! These sessions are always so much fun - and messy! Phoebe's favorite part was by far the bubble bath, but she was all smiles throughout the session. Special thanks to The Kake Lady for the AMAZING cake!

Happy first birthday, Phoebe!

Seriously. Do not look at these images if you don't want to smile. I'm warning you. Little Luke's smile is completely contagious!! And I LOVE it!! <3 <3 <3  He may have been a bit grumpy for the first 5 minutes after we woke him up for pictures this morning, but that was it. As soon as he warmed up, Luke was all smiles and such a ham! I can't believe this little guy was in the studio a mere 7 months ago. Now look at him!

It's Friday, but I'm feeling a bit grumpy. Nothing has gone right today and I just want to curl in bed and sleep until December (when busy season is over...hopefully!) BUT, since I can't do that, I turned to editing this sweet face. How on earth can one possibly be grumpy when looking at this cutie pie!

This is one the parts of my job that I love best - seeing my littlest LBP clients grow up! I vividly remember Keira's newborn session and how tiny and perfect and what an excellent sleeper she was. Now look how big she's gotten! Babies change SO rapidly in the first year of life, that I really think it's important to capture all those details and milestones (and not just on iPhone photos, although something is better than nothing!). Now Keira can sit independently and crawl! I love seeing progress! But, I also love to see what things remain - and Keira's chubby cheeks, long eyelashes, and dimples have certainly stayed! <3 <3 <3

I can't believe another one of my babies have graduated from my Watch Me Grow plan! I really do love being able to see the progression they make in just a short year, it really is incredible! Mom said she wanted a garden theme for Lily's cake smash, so garden she got. Complete with loads of fresh flowers and an adorable bonnet from Violet's Playground! Happy first birthday, Lily!

Photographers don't like to shoot mid-day unless it's overcast because the light is so harsh. Instead, we prefer what is known as the golden hour (an hour before sunset or an hour after sunrise). This time, however, is not always ideal when you have children that have early bedtimes or need help getting ready in the morning. So, I try to tweak it a bit and pretend that golden hour stretches for about 2-3 hours ;) On Sunday morning though, I couldn't have asked for a better "golden hour." My session with this sweet family started at 8am at a local nature preserve and converted barn. The sun provided us with enough light, without being too harsh. Combine that with 3 adorable kiddos and their parents and we ended up with a fabulous family session! Little Emily just turned a year old and has officially "graduated" from my baby plan. I've so enjoyed watching her grow and I hope to see her again in the future. Happy first birthday, Emily, and thank you to her parents for allowing me to capture all these special memories!