How to prepare for a Smash Cake Photo Session

What do you need to have for a smash cake photo session with me?

This session is fun and the set up can be very simple. You really don’t need a lot of things!

The basics:

• Your baby (ha!)

• A smash cake

• A place where they can sit to get into the smash cake. You can choose either a highchair for or a blanket/quilt.

The extras:

• Decorations ideas

  • balloons

  • banner that says “one” or “happy birthday”

  • a little chair or bench

  • a sign or letter board

  • Backdrop if indoors such as a large bedsheet to hang from the wall

All of these extras are just that, extra. They aren’t necessary and completely up to you!

Where do I get a smash cake?

A smash cake is really just a small, round cake. You can either make one yourself or you can order one from a local bakery. If you want some bakery suggestions then see my blog post for a list of local bakeries.

If you are making one yourself, then you can either use your favorite cake recipe or find one online. A lot of the cake recipes when you search for a smash cake are healthier cake options made from oats, bananas, no added sugar, etc. These are great options for a first experience with a dessert for your baby.

Where do we do the smash cake session?

We will pick the location together. Depending on what you want and the time of year here are some options to choose from:

• Your own backyard (or front yard). This is very convenient if you have a good space at your house. All you need is an open area that you can throw a blanket down or put a highchair.

• A park in your neighborhood or near where you live. This also can be very easy and convenient for you if you don’t have a good outdoor space at your home.

• Inside your home. If it is really cold outside then we can do the session in your home. Because I am a natural light photographer, we would need a space that has good natural light (a few big windows).

• A local studio. I have a few options that I can suggst. It will included an added rental fee.

What is your baby supposed to wear?

I do like to take a few pictures before the actual smashing of the cake happens, so if you have a cute birthday outfit or shirt then you can have your baby start off in that.

But then once the cake is introduced, it can get pretty messy pretty quickly. So I suggest either have your baby wear an outfit you don’t mind getting dirty or you can take off their shirt/onesies and let them be naked.

Add a Splash!

After a smash cake photo shoot, let your baby enjoy a splash in the bath to wash off the messiness of the cake. I provide the basin and bubbles.

Monica Conlin is a family and newborn lifestyle photographer that specializes in newborn photography, Fresh 48 photography, maternity photography, smash cake photography, 1st birthday, school photography, and family photography. Monica is based in Decatur, GA and services Decatur, Atlanta, and the surrounding areas (including, by not limited to: Kirkwood, East Lake, Edgewood, Lake Claire, Candler Park, Inman Park, Ormewood Park, Grant Park, Reynoldstown, East Atlanta, Cabbagetown, Old Fourth Ward, Virginia Highland, Avondale, Midtown, Downtown Atlanta, Ansley Park, Morningside-Lenox Park, Druid Hills, Piedmont Heights, Poncey-Highland).

Please contact Monica Conlin Photography at hello@monconpix.com for all your family and newborn photo session needs!

Local Bakeries for Smash Cakes | Decatur, GA & the Atlanta area

Do you need a smash cake for your child’s first birthday and smash cake photo session?

Here is a list of several local bakeries in the Decatur and Atlanta area that are owned and operated by moms.

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Zen Baking

I met Kristina briefly when I was picking up some cupcakes from her. She was friendly and it was easy to strike up a conversation. When she spoke about baking, her passion behind her craft was apparent. I was able to taste several types of cupcakes and icing, and they were all delicious. My favorite was the strawberry buttercream icing and the chocolate cupcake. I was also fortunate enough to eat a few of her beautifully decorated sugar cookies. No question that I would recommend her to those looking for someone to make yummy and pretty baked good for a party.

Here is a little more about her.
“Hi, I'm Kristina Cesa. I'm a part time baker from Atlanta, Georgia, whose passion is crafting sweet treats.

Ever since I laid my hands on a hand me down, avocado green Easy-Bake Oven, I've was hooked! Over the course of my life, my love for baking has grown, reaching new heights while I was serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras. While abroad, I found that if I wanted a taste of home, I just needed to make it myself... and so it began- cookies, cakes, pies, breads, even homemade bagels.... let's just say that my community really loved having me around.

Over the years I cultivated my craft and learned that it's a perfect way for me to de-stress.

Baking truly is my Zen!

Always made from scratch and fresh to order. I take extra care to make each of my creations the best they can be.”

Go to the Zen Baking website for more information and to order your smash cake (or cupcakes or cookies!)

Fat Kid Bakery

Eileen dropped off this sprinkle-topped blue smash cake for me. It was a banana cake with cream cheese frosting, a perfect combo for a baby’s first dessert. Not only did my one year old dig in and enjoy it, the rest of the family tasted it and gave rave reviews. The banana cake was flavorful and the cream cheese icing complimented it well. We would definitely order again from her when we need a cake!

Here is a little more about her.
"My name is Eileen McKinley, and I am the owner of Fat Kid Bakery, located in Cumming. I am also a stay at home mom of four (3 boys and 1 girl), 1 dog,  5 fish, and an extremely supportive and helpful husband.  We love to travel to new places, play sports, hang out with friends and have a lot of family time together!

I have been baking since I was a young child, and officially opened FKB in 2007.  I love to bake just about anything, and each item is custom made as I work out of my home.  My most-requested item would be a triple chocolate cake with a ganache icing - watch out for a sugar coma!  I deliver all over Atlanta and North Georgia, and would love to help out with anything your inner fat kid desires!"

Check out the Fat Kid Bakery website for more information and to order your smash cake.

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A few more women-owned bakeries in the Atlanta area:

I haven’t personally tried these (yet), but they were recommended to me by other local moms. Plus, taking a few moments checking out their websites and instagrams, it is obvious that they are good at what they do and that they make some beautiful creations!

• Confections of a Corporate Mom

  • Erika’s website tells her story and shares great photos and information on how to order her cakes. It is worth a visit!

• Cakes by Teweka

  • Cakes by Teweka finishes off all her desserts by "Sprinkling them With Love"! Visit her website, facebook, or instagram page to see her beautiful creations.

• Pum’s sweets

  • Check out her selection and order from her facebook page

• The Gem Bakery

  • If you want to fill your instagram feed with drool-worthy desserts then go follow @thegembakery now. She is also has a facebook page.

• She Takes the Cake

  • Look through the gallery of all kinds of well done and creative cakes on instagram @shetakesthecake

• The Sugarbakers

  • Instagram @thesugarbakersatl or to order visit The Sugarbakers website

• Little Jars Bakeshop

  • Nayeli is the young baker for this delicious looking bakeshop thats focus is using high quality ingredients. Visit and order from her website! (Note: she isn’t a mom, but her mom is cheering her on!)

If you know of other great bakeries that make smash cakes in the Atlanta area that are owned by moms, then drop them below in the comments. Let’s support other moms!!

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Wondering why did I make a blog post and only list local bakeries that are owned by moms?

One of my business goals is to support and encourage other mom-owned and local small businesses. This means for my own photography business I will continue to shop at, highlight, and partner with other moms that are working hard to achieve their career goals. I am passionate about cheering on other moms in their life pursuits and dreams no matter what that looks like, whether that is raising their kids and being a stay at home mom, creating art, owning a business, or any of the other many amazing things that women are capable of doing.

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Monica Conlin is a natural light family and newborn lifestyle photographer that specializes in newborn photography, Fresh 48 photography, smash cake photography, school photography, maternity photography, and family photography. Monica is based in Decatur, GA and services Decatur and the Atlanta metro area.

How to swaddle a newborn

Let’s chat all about swaddles: how to swaddle, when to swaddle, and what types of swaddles to get.

Do you know how to swaddle your baby using a swaddle blanket?

Maybe it is your first baby and you’ve never done any kind of swaddle before. Or maybe it’s your third baby and you have always relied on the tried and true velcro swaddles. And although I think the velcro swaddles are genius, I like a good ol’ classic blanket swaddle for taking newborn photos.

Here is a video I created to teach you to swaddle your newborn for a lifestyle newborn photos.

And you know what, BABIES LOVE TO BE SWADDLED!
It’s cozy and comforting to them.

When to swaddle your baby during a newborn photo session:

• if your baby is tired and getting fussy

• if you want to get photos of the newborn with a sibling. The swaddle makes it easier for the sibling to hold the baby in a safe position and prevents the baby from flailing their arms and hitting their older sibling.

• if you want some photos of just the baby laying on a blanket or in the crib. This helps provide comfort and a sense of security if they are not being held by a loved one.

What type of swaddle should I get?

There are so many types of swaddles and every person will have their own preferences. The main things I look in a good swaddle is:

• made from 100% cotton (Muslin is a type of fabric made from 100% cotton that is light weight and breathable and my top choice!)

• 47 in X 47 in size

• machine washable (duh!)

A local shop here in Atlanta that is great for all your baby needs is called Happy Mango located in the Kirkwood neighborhood. They have a good selection of swaddles that you can buy from them online or at their store. They carry several brands including Sugar + Maple Classic Muslin Swaddles. These come in many beautiful colors. The sky blue, blush pint, mint, balsam green, and mustard are some of my favorites!

Another brand that I also really like the Aden + Anais swaddle blankets. These are also muslin swaddles and they have many different patterns to chose from. You can purchase from their website or Amazon.

If you want to see more photos and examples from my lifestyle newborn sessions then head to my portfolio HERE.

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Monica Conlin is a natural light family and newborn lifestyle photographer that specializes in newborn photography, Fresh 48 photography, smash cake photography, school photography, maternity photography, and family photography. Monica is based in Decatur, GA and services Decatur and the Atlanta metro area.

When should I schedule an At Home Newborn Photo Shoot?

I suggest to schedule your At Home Lifestyle Newborn Photo Session when you are in your second trimester of pregnancy.

This way you can make sure and save your spot on my calendar. I book based on your due date, but then we will schedule the actual session depending on when the baby is born (because we all know babies come on their own time). So once your baby is born, we plan the shoot between 5-15 days after the baby’s birthday.

BUT—
What if I am almost due and haven’t booked yet?
What if I missed that timeframe, but I still want to get photos of my baby?
What if we are in the middle of pandemic and I want to wait a little longer?
What if for medical reasons we need to delay?

First, take a deep breath. This motherhood thing is hard and we all need to give ourselves a little more grace. Now, don’t worry! It is not too late. You didn’t miss your chance.

Because a Newborn Lifestyle Session can be done even if the baby is more than two weeks old!

I am sharing this session because it is a wonderful example where the baby girl was a couple months old when the family did their photos. And as you can see, it was a beautiful experience.

At Home Lifestyle Newborn Session in Decatur, GA

A few things that I loved about this at home lifestyle newborn session:

• The tenderness the older sisters showed toward their new baby sister

• Mom’s strong connection with each of her daughters

• The confidence the mom displayed in caring for her baby: changing the diaper, breastfeeding, comforting her when she was fussy. I could tell it was her third time around.

• The dad’s special bond with his newest daughter and how gently he held her

• That bonnet. Seriously, a baby in a bonnet is so cute!

• That the sweet baby girl feel asleep at the end of the session allowing for these precious shots of her in dreamland

So whether your baby is a couple weeks old or a couple months old, we can take family photos welcoming your sweet bundle of joy into your family!

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Monica Conlin is a natural light family and newborn lifestyle photographer that specializes in newborn photography, Fresh 48 photography, smash cake photography, school photography, maternity photography, and family photography. Monica is based in Decatur, GA and services Decatur and the Atlanta metro area.