Cake Smash Prep Guide

First Birthday Smash & Splash Prep Guide

Happy (Almost) Birthday to Your Little One!

If you're here, you're thinking about booking a Smash & Splash session with Jeannie Tribe Photography—and we’re going to make it fun, messy, and full of memories!

What to Bring:

• Your baby!That’s it. Bring your almost one-year-old—whether they’re shy, silly, serious, or sassy. We’ll work with whoever shows up.

• A smash outfit:Something cute and okay to get messy! Etsy has great options, or feel free to check with me for ideas.

• Snacks (aka secret weapons):Bring puffs, Cheerios, or small treats to tuck behind the cake if your little one needs a nudge to explore.Also bring a sippy cup or drink—cake can be sweet and sticky!

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A Note About Siblings & Guests

For most sessions, I ask that only one or two adults attend and that siblings stay at home. Here's why:Little ones at this age are easily distracted—and extra people (especially siblings) can make it harder for your baby to stay focused and comfortable. More people in the studio often leads to overstimulation and babies watching them instead of engaging with me and the camera.

BUT if you’ve booked the Plus Collection, which includes a few family or sibling images, we’ll plan for that! Here’s how to keep things running smoothly:

• We’ll start the session with the family/sibling photos before the cake smash begins.

• Once those images are taken, we kindly ask that one parent take siblings out of the studio or entertain them elsewhere so baby can focus during the smash portion.

• Please give me a heads-up if siblings are coming so I can prep the space and adjust the timing accordingly.

Thank you so much for helping us create a calm, happy space for your baby’s big moment!

Thank you so much for understanding!

🎈 What I Provide:

• A custom setup just for your babe:Once booked, we’ll chat about colors or themes. Whether it’s boho, camping, simple & sweet, or a twist like spaghetti or pancakes—I’ve got you.

• The cake (optional):I can provide a simple smash cake if there are no allergies and you sign a cake waiver.Want a fancy custom cake? Send a photo first for approval—sometimes “too pretty” means “too hard to smash!”

• All the extras:Props for the set, a towel, washcloth for clean-up, and a bag for messy clothes are all included.

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🤷‍♀️ What If My Baby Hates It?

Totally normal! Some babies dive in, some cry, some throw the cake, and others don’t even touch it.

Don’t worry—I’ve got lots of tricks up my sleeve from years of working with little ones. We’ll ease your baby into the session and give them time to warm up.

IMPORTANT: Please let baby try cake or frosting at home first!If it’s brand new, it might be too overwhelming on session day.

Also…pro tip: Many of those perfect smash photos online? Staged 😉Even if your baby isn’t loving it—we can fake the mess and still get adorable keepsakes!

Please note: I do not guarantee smiles—but I promise they’re cute just doing their thing.