Happy Birthday Evan | Cake Smash Pensacola Beach

As a lifestyle photographer, I don’t usually photograph families in elaborate setups or with props…unless it’s a first birthday. In that case, I am always happy to capture whatever a mama wants to set up for her baby’s smash cake session.

Of course, smashing a cake doesn’t take a whole hour-long session. Much of our session will be focused on capturing candid family moments. We’ll only dedicate 15-20 minutes at the end of the session to use the props and smash the cake.

Jessica did an amazing job setting up for Evan’s first birthday, so I’ll use this session as an example and leave you with a few tips on incorporating a cake smash into a family session.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

One-year-olds are small, so a huge scene with tons of props will swallow them. Keep your scene limited to three or four props that can be contained in a small area. Keep your color palette simple as well. I love the warm neutrals that Jessica chose. Her theme was loosely based on Where The Wild Thing Are, but I love that she didn’t go over-the-top-thematic. A subtle nod is all you need.

THEN ADD DIMENSION

Jessica really enhanced the setup and added texture to the scene with a little bit of greenery to dress up the teepee and some fluffy florals that echoed the warm neutral theme she had going. These items keep lend a layered look to the scene and keep it from feeling too flat and one dimensional.

LOCATION

The set up will only be used for a small portion of the session, so it is important to choose a location that has at least two spots we can photograph in. It will also be up to you to set up your scene. So choose a location that you know well and is easy to access with the props you’ve chosen. I’ll consult with you on where to set up for the best light. Be sure to arrive in plenty of time to set up before your session begins.

THE CAKE

The most important part right? It doesn’t even have to be cake! Donuts, pies, a vegan meatloaf…whatever fits with your families idea of fun. The only requirement is that it should complement your decor or theme. We’ll always do cake at the end of the session, so just make sure you have a way to keep it covered until we need it. Cake stands are also a great idea.

And who says the whole family can get involved with the smashing?