Preparing for your Cake Smash and Splash Session with Lindy

Thank you so much for allowing me the amazing and rewarding privilege of photographing your family.

This guide is designed to help you get the most out of your session. Please read this thoroughly, it’s in your best interests, I promise!
Feel free to let me know if something is not clear or you have any questions.

My studio is located at the very end of Aurora Lane, at 37 Aurora Lane, Wanaka. This road is just off Anderson Road and directly opposite Mataraki Place. Drive to the end of the sealed road and continue along the unsealed driveway. Follow this around to the red brick house and a gravel parking area. There is a space for you to park directly in front of my studio.

. You can text me on 021 803 114 if you’re running late, but don’t stress over 5-10 minutes.

 The Week Before the Session

A week before the session it’s a good idea to have a practise run. Just put your child on the floor, on a mat or rug that can be cleaned, and give them a pice of cake. Let them play, explore and get messy with the cake.
If your little one is not used to a bath it’s a good idea to give them a bath too.

 The Session

  • We will first photograph your child on the background.

  • Then we will take a photos of the cake on the set up.

  • The cake smash follows. This could only be a few minutes if your child loses interest quickly.

  • Then I take some photos of your little one in a cute little bath.

 What To Bring

  • Bring a special outfit for baby to wear in photos before the smash.
    If you want to keep this special outfit clean, bring another outfit for the smash itself, and something clean for your child to go home in.

  • A change of clothes for everyone just in case.

  • Water for yourself to stay hydrated.

  • Hair brush/comb/baby wipes/nappy bag.

  • If you have a special baby soap please bring it along.

  • If you have a baby towel please bring it along for after the bath.

  • Snacks for kids.

 The Cake

  • The perfect size for a cake smash cake is a two or three layers cake that is 6 inches (diameter) round. Any bigger and it is too big, and anything smaller can look comical.

  • Please DO NOT use vegetable shortening (pure fat) in the cake or icing. Please ask your baker to not include this ingredient as it will stain my backdrops. Other ingredients can just be cleaned off by me and thrown in the washing machine. Please also ask your baker to make a soft cake that is easy for your child to smash.

  • I recommend a plain sponge. This looks better in the photos. Chocolate cake can look like there’s been a nappy explosion and red velvet can look like carnage. These two colours are best avoided.

The Really Important Bits

  • Please give your child a snack and not a full meal before the session. We want them to be a little bit hungry but happy, and not hangry, so they will be more interested in smashing the cake

  • Please bring they favourite toys, items and treats just in case they have a meltdown. It can happen as they are only one.

  • Bring something your child loves to eat. If your child does not want to eat cake, we would like them to eat something so please pack food that your child likes that is small and easily picked up. it will be placed behind/in/around the cake. Your child may not want to eat the cake which is completely normal. They are used to eating pieces of food. Some children can be totally confused by being given a cake in front of them. Some are very happy.

  • Prepare to work out a little, or a lot. If your baby is mobile, it’s likely you will be placing them back in the spot where I will be photographing them. Wear something easy and comfortable for you to do this.

  • Please come in with an open mind. One year olds can get stage fright and be shy/nervous/unhappy. Same children can also thoroughly enjoy it.

Sickness
If I am sick or there is sickness in my house I will postpone the photo session.
If you or your family are sick please let me know and we will postpone the photo session until you are all well. There is no fee or loss of your booking fee to postpone your session due to sickness. If you need to message me my phone number is 021803114.
I adhere to the Ministry of Health Guidelines regarding Covid-19 when preparing for and photographing your family session.

Editing Your Photos Your digital photos will be returned within 2 to 4 weeks of the photo session. After our photo session I go through the photos and choose the best ones for you. They will be delivered as a private online gallery which you download to your computer. Photos, framed prints and albums are also available to purchase and you are able to do this through your online gallery that I send to you afterwards. I print my photos and artwork through Queensberry, the professional-photographers’ printing company who produce high quality prints and albums.

Social Media and Referrals My business relies on posting on social media and referrals. In the contract I have a model release clause for you to consider. If possible I would love to post your photos to my website, facebook page and instagram. However, if you wish to have nothing posted on my website and social media accounts, please let me know and I will respect your wishes.

I am looking forward to photographing your story . If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to ask.

Lindy