Prep Guide for Smash and Splash | Classic one Year Old Portraits

Houston Newborn & Baby Photographer, Sarah Borchgrevink, shares tips for preparing for little one's cake smash and bubble bath session.

Cake Smash & Splash Prep Guide for Parents

Greetings! Thank you for choosing me to photograph your little one’s cake smash and splash! I am very excited to have them in the studio, or even on-location, for a gorgeous set of one-year portraits. Cake smash sessions are adorable and are a super fun way to celebrate the monumental milestone of your sweet baby turning one! Here is everything you need to know about our session together. A cake smash and splash are when baby smashes a cake followed by splashing in the tub! If you would like to omit the bubble bath (or prefer the bubble bath to the smash) let me know in advance so we may adjust session design. Most parents book in the studio because this ensures baby is happy and well rested since we do not have to worry about the sunrise/sunset light. My outdoor sessions take place right as the sun is coming up and right as it is going down so if you prefer outdoor lighting remember that nap times may need to be adjusted so baby is well rested for their session.

I provide the following for cake smash and splash:

• Time & talent designated in your session type (mini, standard, deluxe)

• A white cake stand or cream antique high chair

• · Vintage quilt if outdoors

• · Rustic floor props for baby to sit upon such as a box or bowl

• · Farmhouse bowl for the bubble bath

• · Warm water & bubbles

Parents provide the following for cake smash and splash:

• · A cake of their choice (typically 9”)

• · Any specific décor or props you would like that are not seen in my studio

• · Balloons, streamers, cake topper etc. If you are bringing additional décor, let me know in advance so I may set aside more time for set up

• · Diaper cover for baby during their cake smash or a birthday outfit

• · Towel to clean baby up + extra outfit

When Do Cake Smashes Take Place?

Cake smashes are best done when the baby is 11 months old and not yet walking. This is also a great time to book your cake smash so you may receive your photos and prints before baby’s birthday party. Many parents like to use the photos for invitations so it’s best to plan wisely. Always give yourself enough planning time. There is a two week turnaround time for photos so keep this in mind when contacting me for your cake smash. I want this to be a great experience for you!

My Baby Portraiture Style

My favorite way to photograph babies is in a simple, classic and timeless scene. I like to avoid too many props because it detracts from baby and is distracting in the images. Feel free to peruse my portfolio in advance so we can make sure we’re a good fit for one another!

Here are sample sessions to view:

• · In Studio Portion of Bubble Bath

• · In Studio One Year Old Portraits & Cake Smash

• · In Studio Sitter Session Prop Styles

• · Outdoor Cake Smash at Telge Park

• · Adorable & Classic Baby Boy Cake Sunset Cake Smash

• · Cherry Pie Smash at Sunset

• · Pumpkin Pie Fall Cake Smash

• · Baby Girl Cake Smash in Historic Setting at Sunrise

• · Sunrise Watermelon Session with Super Cute Little Girl

Helpful Tips in Preparation for Baby’s Session

• · Let the cake sit in the car overnight so it is warm and easy for baby to get into

• · Avoid fondant icing – babies often dislike the texture

• · HEB makes wonderful 9” white cakes with buttercream icing

• · If using a colored icing remember this may stain baby’s skin; red velvet cake, for an instance, will also stain the baby’s skin and it will look like the baby is injured in the photos.

• · Bring a towel and change of clothes for baby

Thanks again for choosing me to photograph your baby! Let me know if you have any questions so I may assist!

-Sarah

Sneak Preview: Asher Rocked His First Birthday + Smash Cake Session

Asher's outdoor, natural light first birthday photos by Sarah Borchgrevink Photography

Sneak Preview of Mr. Personality | Happy Birthday!

Good morning, friends! Today's blog post is all about previewing highlight from baby boy Asher's outdoor, natural light cake smash session! He is a long time client of mine, so of course I have been looking forward to working with him again! Friday happens to be his birthday, too, so of course I am very excited to showcase his adorable session.

The first year of life is exciting for new parents! There are many fun milestones you anticipate such as meeting baby for the first time and welcoming baby into your life, baby learning to sit up and crawl, and then of course baby starting to walk and even say a few words! For instance, Asher can now say "da da" and "uh oh"! It was beyond precious; his soulful eyes would look at me and his sweet little voice would call out, "Uh oh!" Truly melting.

For our time together, we chose a rustic and natural location in Houston. We chose a sunset time since this is when baby is most happy. I also have to give a huge shout out to Asher's mama: she was so prepared and organized! Not only did she bring the grandparents to help, she even beat me to the location, lol! She provided this adorable wooden bucket, seen below on the bridge photos, and picked out the most delicious, darling cake.

Nevertheless, here are a few shots from his session! 

As always, thank you for visiting my blog! I am thrilled you took the time to preview Asher's first birthday session and hope you enjoyed the images! If you are currently pregnant and are considering custom portraiture of your little one, my baby plan membership is a wonderful option for new parents. Feel free to get in touch if you'd like to recieve more information on the baby plan. 

Check out the latest blog posts and topics.

Cake Smash Smack Down | Must Have Photos for Baby's First Year

Baby's First Cake Smash Photography in Houston Texas. Chandler's Baby Plan Membership features a newborn session, 7 month sitter session, as well as a sweet cake smash session.

First Year of Life: Baby Plan Membership to Sarah Borchgrevink Photography

Good morning, friends! Thanks for visiting the blog! Today's blog post is a year in review for Chandler's baby plan membership. You may be wondering what exactly this is. As a professional newborn baby photographer, I offer a curated membership to my photography services. These cater to the first year of baby's life and encompass the sweetest new milestones for your little one! You will cherish these images forever. 

Many of my newborn clients move forward with the membership because they have already developed a relationship with the photographer. Moreover, the photos will match on the walls because they're the same style. It's also nice because there is a discount to clients who book multiple sessions at once.

Before I preview Chandler's cake smash session, let's take a quick peek at a few of his other sessions. 

The baby plan membership to Sarah Borchgrevink Photography includes the following:

• Custom newborn portraiture session taking place in my Houston Newborn Photography Studio

• 7 month sitter milestone session

• 12 month cake smash session with option to add bubble bath for a "smash and splash"

Sweet Chandler has been such a dream to photograph, so of course when it came time for his cake smash session, I was really excited to see him! Working with baby's over their first year is bittersweet: on one hand, you remember how small and little they were as newborns, just so sweet and cuddly, but then when you see them at the cake smash session they're walking and saying a few words, soon to be a toddler on the move! His parents also booked an outdoor, natural light family session so they're my featured family of the month, too!

Cake Smash Smack Down Details

Little known fact: sometimes a 12 month kiddo does not like cake. I know, I know. It *seems* like what could could NOT want cake, but think of it like this: for the first year of baby's life, they've either had formula, breast milk (or some type of combination) and maybe some baby food. A lot of parents are not introducing solids until a little later, too, so baby has never even seen or had cake. It also can be overwhelming to little one. 

Cake smash tip from an experienced baby photographer: put the cake in the car the afternoon of your shoot. It'll be warm and easy to get into. Also avoid fondant so baby likes the taste of the icing. If the cake is cold, baby dislike the temperature and texture. 

But sometimes the baby LOVES the cake! You never know what's going to happen during these session. The anticipation is, admittedly, really fun as photographer, ha! 

For Chandler's cake smash, we used an outdoor, natural light location in Houston, Texas for his session. My baby plan membership currently includes studio, but parents can upgrade to an outdoor session (sunrise or sunset) for an additional fee. 

We used one of my favorite vintage props for a timeless feel: the cream distressed antique high char, yes! I love to remove distracting items, such as tons of props, and only use a few pieces so baby is showcased. Simple make me happy, so I urge parents  to make sure they like the same style as me. :-) 

Chandler did not dissapoint! Here are some of my favorite images from his cake smash smack down! 

If you enjoyed reading about Chandler's cake smash session, here are some other blog posts you may like checking out, too!

• Baby Milestone Photography Sessions in Houston

• Sample Galleries by Sarah Borchgrevink | Houston's Best Newborn Photographer

• Outdoor Dynamic Maternity Portraits for Expecting Mothers & Couples