happy birthday, little one

SAN DIEGO CAKE SMASH PHOTOGRAPHER

Photographing styled first birthday shoot and cake smashes 

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Lovely Baby Photography Studio is based in Carlsbad, CA - just outside of San Diego

All sessions take place in our San Diego-based photo studio. We provide everything needed!

Cake Smash Sessions are one of my favorite offerings! Our Luxe Cake Smash sessions is usually about 60 minutes long. I have you pick out your backdrops ahead of time, and I have outfits set out for you to choose from on the day of the session.  I have over 200 different backdrops/themes for you to choose from.  And if I don't have what you want, I do offer the option to upgrade to a custom theme.

We have a beautiful selection of clothing for children in the 12 month size and 12-18 month size, and clients can choose to use our wardrobe or bring their own outfits. Our closet is STOCKED!! We have over 200 dresses and rompers for little girls and approaching 100 outfits for little boys. Our wardrobe is high end and Stacey works very hard to bring in specialty, and often custom, items for your kiddo to wear during the session.

We also provide the cake

Cake Smash Sessions include a basic cake with 3 design options. If you want to upgrade to a more ornate design, there is an upgrade fee. And if you need a special dietary cake, you must either bring your own, or I can try to arrange that for you for an additional fee as well. I work with an amazing bakery called Sugar Bear Sweet Provisions in Encinitas. They do a great job and their cupcakes are truly YUMMY!

How do you get started?

Contact me so that we can first agree on a date… once we have selected a date, in order to secure that date on my calendar, I do require a retainer and a contract to be completed online. I will then have you send me your backdrop selections and I send a planning sheet to ensure we’re on the same page about backdrops and details.

If you’re looking for pricing and additional information, please fill out the contact and Stacey will contact you as soon as possible.  

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frequently asked questions...

What is a cake smash session?

 Cake smash sessions are a great way to commemorate a baby’s big milestone of turning one year old! The child is presented with a cake to enjoy. Some will eat, others will smash or both or at times, nothing might happen! (we have tricks for that)

ARE PROPS PROVIDED?

Absolutely! I have a huge prop room and most of my backdrops have coordinating props. I have cute “one” signs, cake stands galore, themed props, etc. If you have a specific request for any specific props, I may or may not be able to accommodate them… and anything custom does require a package upgrade. I even have an adorable tub for cute pictures and a real water clean-up at the end of the session!

WHEN SHOULD I BOOK THE CAKE SMASH PHOTO SESSION?

It’s never too early to get on the schedule! Some months fill up fast and I have to turn clients away. So it’s better to book as soon as you decide you want to do a session. I often will book sessions several months out. It’s best to do the pictures within about 4 weeks of the baby’s actual first birthday if you want photos back in time for a party. I do have parents who want the shoot right around the baby’s actual birthday and that is fine too!

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME?

NOTHING! I handle the whole process. Just bring me a happy well-rested baby! If you have a special outfit you want to bring along, that is fine. But I do have a huge wardrobe available to clients for your use during the session. I will send you a prep guide ahead of your session and I do have you bring a few of the baby’s favorite snacks. Otherwise, I handle everything from start to finish!

Can we have family pictures also?

This session is designed specifically for babies.  There is an upgrade option that allows for family photos as well.  Instead of baby getting 3 full backdrop sets, you would get one family set, and then two sets specifically just for baby.

What if the baby doesn’t like the cake?

I’d say that over half of babies are not really interested in eating the cake. That’s why I highly suggest bringing a few of the baby’s favorite snacks, and we put them on the cake to get the baby to interact with the cake. I have been doing this for many years and I have lots of tricks to help the session go smoothly!

Can we bring friends or family to the session to watch?

I discourage this only because being in a new place is already overwhelming to a lot of little ones. Adding in all the family members trying to interact while I’m trying to get baby to look at the camera and it’s often just too much for baby. I highly suggest parents only at the session. If you do bring other family I ask you to limit it to 2 other people and I will have other family members stay in my waiting area.


Ready to connect?

Fill out our contact form, email us, OR CALL US FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION SO WE CAN GET TO KNOW YOU AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE

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Lovely Baby Photography is a maternity and baby photography studio in Encinitas, CA, a North County suburb of San Diego, designed to service newborn babies. We specialize in natural newborn photography, outdoor and studio maternity photography, cake smash sessions, and family photography. Let us capture those precious timeless moments to cherish forever. Call us for a free no-obligation consultation so we can get to know you.

Contact us via email at stacey@lovelybabyphotography.com

Lovely Baby Photography - Maternity & Newborn Portrait Studio

360 North El Camino Real, Suite 2A, Encinitas, CA 92024 | 760-271-0725

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