I don’t really know why, but the idea of a “cake smash” is definitely a random American thing.
The phrase describes the tradition of giving a child a personal birthday cake and watching him/her annihilate it.
But for some reason, the tradition has become more about backdrops and props for pictures than the tradition or moment itself and what’s behind it— who’s behind it.
AKA the celebration of a child (and surviving that first year as parents).
That token photo of the cake grab on a cute backdrop is more obligatory than meaningful.
And when you think about it… is that what you’re really after?
Or would you rather have photos of your parents helping to light her candles? Of the laughter and play filling your living room with so much joy that came together over one little boy? Of the way she giggled with pride as she took tentative steps up the stairs of your first home?
And yes, smashing her first birthday cake and the reaction that comes with it… but a birthday is about so much more.
Instead of setting up the standard “cake smash session,” why not photograph the actual day when they smash their real birthday cake?
It sounds simple because it is.
Let’s capture the real deal… no props, no forced suspenders and confetti, no fancy custom cake. If you’re going to let your kid smash some cake on his birthday (and I mean obviously, that’s an amazing opportunity that I kinda want to do for my birthday too, is that bad?!)… then let’s actually celebrate. that. moment.
The real one.
In your kitchen with your dog licking the chair and your neighbor flipping hot dogs in the back yard.
The streamers around her high chair and the homemade cake you didn’t really know how to ice but darn it you tried.
Let’s capture the whole story that hits your heart and becomes a story to share around their 16th birthday when they ask – “what was my 1st birthday like?”
Ready for an alternative 1st birthday session with me?
