At the studio, I have a client-closet with MANY outfits to choose from! Most of these are sizes 6-12m, 9-12m, 12m, 12-18m and 18-24m. You can select the outfits when you arrive for your session (does not need to be chosen in advance). You are welcome to bring your baby's own clothing if you prefer.

For what to wear as a family, I generally suggest to bring 1-2 outfits for each family member that colour coordinates.The backdrops I use for family portraits are neutrals (so pretty much any colours you decide would be fine). I recommend to avoid heavy patterns, clashing colours, or clothing with visible writing/big logos. I also have a few outfits for older siblings (dresses, shirts), up to around 4-5T.

Since it will likely be your baby's first time having cake, I highly suggest bringing a few little snacks. The baby may be hesitant to eat the cake, but we can hide crackers, fruits, or other in the cake for them to enjoy! You can bring a toy that may help to get your baby to smile and a pacifier or bottle of milk (if not breastfed) to soothe them as needed. WIPES!! Lots of wipes. I have towels and soap/water for clean up as well. Please consider bringing a change of clothes for after the session, both for the baby and even for yourselves... it can get messy! Sometimes families have special objects (like a blanket or stuffed animal) for the baby which you can bring to be photographed as well.

Do our cakes have sugar? Yes. The short answer: 'cake is cake'. My baker does offer a minimal sugar option, however, anything with icing will be sweet regardless. After hundreds of cake smashes, I can honestly tell you that most babies do not actually "eat" a lot of the cake... they take small bites or even just lick their fingers. I often have to hide snacks like crackers or blueberries in the cake to get a pretend shot of them eating because they are so hesitant to touch the cake! There is the rare case where the baby goes crazy smashing it, but even then, they do not swallow most of what they try to shove in their mouths!

Overall, the less icing you choose, the less sugary/sweet it will be. Plus, you as parents will get to take home any leftover cake... do you really want something organic made of broccoli? Didn't think so!

Food allergies are always cared for with extra attention. A local baker makes our cakes. She has provided me with an ingredient list which I can send if you are unsure... you can never be too careful! The cakes are nut free, however, there is always the potential risk of cross-contamination... if your baby has ever had an anaphylactic or other severe reaction, then we can discuss options such as bringing your own cake. If your baby does not have any known allergies, there should not be any reason for concern (most ingredients are baked into the cake anyways). There is the option to have a dairy-free or egg-free cake upon request, if there is an intolerance. There are other local bakers I work with who are strictly Kosher, as well as gluten-free. The cakes are as baby friendly as possible: no large/hard sprinkles or fondant pieces that would be a choking hazard, no cake toppers with pointy wooden sticks, etc.

Before you worry, remember that I do this EVERY SINGLE DAY! I have developped many tricks over the years, from silly noises, to singing songs/playing their favourite song, to blowing bubbles, and many more. There is no guarantee that your baby will smile the whole session- or even at all- but we will do everything we can to get those photos! We will do our best!!

Cake smashes can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. There is no time limit; we will go at the baby's speed. Some babies will be smiley from the start, while others will need more time to adjust to the new environment and to get comfortable. I try to ensure that we get enough photos before you leave, regardless of how the baby's mood is.

A good night's sleep (morning session) or a good nap (afternoon session). A small meal or snack before the session may be a good idea, but try not to overfeed them so that they still have an appetite!