One year goes by faster than anyone warns you. A cake smash session is one of the most fun and genuinely joyful ways to mark your baby's first birthday, and the images are ones you will look back on and laugh at for decades. Here is what to expect when you book a cake smash session in Appleton with Karissa Leigh Designs.
What Happens During the Session
We start with a few clean portraits of your birthday baby looking their best. Then we bring out the cake. From there anything goes, and that is exactly the point. Some babies go all in immediately. Others take a cautious poke first. Some would rather throw the cake than eat it. Whatever happens, I am ready to capture every moment of it.
What You Need to Bring
With the full one hour cake smash, the custom cake, balloon arch and props are included, so all you need to bring is your baby. For the 30 minute Mini Cake Smash, please bring your own cake. A simple six inch round cake works perfectly. Either way, bring at least two changes of clothes and a bag for the messy ones. I provide everything else, including the backdrop, props, and balloon styling.
How to Style Your Session
We will chat through your vision before your session. Whether you want something soft and neutral with linen textures, something bold and colorful, a floral theme, or a seasonal setup, I love creating a design that feels personal to your family. Popular Appleton sessions have included rustic boho, primary color bold, and simple elegant neutral themes.
Timing Is Everything
Schedule your cake smash within a week or two of your child's first birthday. I recommend booking at least 6 to 8 weeks in advance. First birthday sessions are popular and weekends fill up quickly, especially in spring and fall when families are also scheduling outdoor sessions.
Plan the Whole First Year
If you would love portraits through your baby's whole first year, the Legacy First Year collection ($1,500) covers a newborn session, a 3 month session, a 6 month session, and the cake smash, with every edited image from each one. The Bump to Baby collection ($1,400) starts with maternity portraits and ends with the first birthday. Both are on the Appleton investment page.
Let's celebrate the big one in the most delicious way possible.