Smashing

Ah, Sweet Sadness

So, your little baby has reached that one year milestone. If you’re like me, it’s a bitter-sweet event. You’re happy they have grown from baby to toddler but sad that that little tiny bundle of joy you brought home from the hospital is growing up. Well, stand up, take a bow and pat yourself on the shoulder in congratulations, regardless of the conflicting emotions of the day. It’s time to get to work in celebrating the special day and, more than that, to be sure it is commemorated in photos that you can look back on, one day.

What to Do, What to Do

Ok, you know you want to have the most epic birthday photos, ever, but where do you start? There are basically three elements to a milestone session (or any type of session, really). The photographer, the outfit and the set (which includes props). You want a photographer with experience in working with children, who can design the outstanding set with props that your baby deserves and you want an amazing outfit. One of the most popular types of milestone birthday sessions is the “cake smash”.

What is a Cake Smash

A cake smash is basically where your growing kiddo will sit with a cake in front of them in front of a “set” that is designed with whatever theme you desire. It can be a balloon arch, a jungle safari, a Barbie room or something very simple like a colored backdrop. The heroes of the set are your child and the cake; more to the point, what they do to the cake.

Killing Your Cake Smash

Part of a successful cake smash session is having a great outfit. Typically, the attire is something they wouldn’t wear on the regular. It is usually as epic as the day and often with a theme. The outfit can really be anything you want but, most commonly, boys may have opt for a little tuxedo, retro pageboy with suspender shorts or a costume. Little girls generally have tutus, frilly dresses or a big fluffy skirt set. TS Gallant Photography is proud to have a lovely little client closet, for both boys and girls, that you are welcome to utilize. This is offered as a courtesy so you don’t have to spend the extra money or time in shopping.

Where to shop

That being said, I don’t have all sizes, all colors and all styles and may not have what you want. I do have many sources for the outfits that I purchase. Truthfully, most of them are custom made for me. To see my main go-to for boys, click HERE. For girls, one of my favorite places to shop is Belle Threads. CLICK to go check out some of their ideas for your little princess.

Is It Messy

I would have to say that usually it’s a resounding YES! Just imagine. Toddler. Full Cake. Floor. Yeah, there is very often cake and frosting everywhere (though we can use a fake cake, if you don’t want the mess), from hair to face to toes to wall and even to ceiling, sometimes. That is actually the whole idea and really part of the fun. Some kiddos won’t touch the cake, though, no matter how hard you try (my own grandson was in that category). For those, you just get awesome images of your little with the cake in that magnificent set and that’s just wonderful. For the rest, you get those photos, too, but you also get face dives in the cake, ooey-gooey hands filled with cake, face full of frosting and so many more great shots. Every great once in a blue moon you will get a child who cries. I know that no one really plans their cake smash session with that image mind but, if you think about it, that’s kind of funny and symbolic, too. Maybe they don’t want to grow up. Maybe they want to stay little, forever. I know you probably want them to! I mean, how many 30 and 50-year-old photos do you see where the subject is pretending to cry because they don’t want that milestone. Same thing, just in miniature. If that is what happens, in 20 years when you look at the photos, it really will be funny, I promise!

Go For It

Whatever you decide, you need a photographer to put it all together. Your photographer will help coordinate all of the colors and styling, build the set and then interact with your child to get the best images possible. I would be honored to be a part of that celebration. If you would like to work with me or even just ask questions, you can contact me on this PAGE or email Info@TSGallantPhotography