Family Photography By Picspirations Photography_Hope Turns One Cake Smash Photoshoot!

Have you heard of cake smash photography? A cake smash is where a one-year-old gets very messy with a cake and a professional photographer captures the moment. Cake smash photography seems to have caught the trend in the last few years and of course I wanted my baby, Hope, to give it a go. Didn't do it for her older sister, Fayth, back then 'cuz I was still "suaku" (aka not in trend) but lately cake smash has almost became a norm.

I planned for a cake smash session with Picspirations Photography, along with a family shoot to make up for one that was a disaster previously. It is definitely easier to shoot with the family when your baby is a little older. Saying this 'cuz previously Baby H. was only 3 months old.. we had to time her feedings and the interval she was awake was alot shorter. With her very mischievous toddler sister, going crazy on set didn't help smoothen the shoot... But I'm very very happy with this latest shoot. Let's see some of our photos, starting with Baby H's cake smash pictures!

This was taken a few weeks before her first birthday. Alexandria (photographer) advised for us to do the cake smash shoot around 11th month old because baby doesn't walk yet and it'll be much easier to manage. I chose the theme to be in pastels.. 'Cuz girl ma... lols. I don't know, pastels are my top colour choices when it comes to baby stuff.. Just too pretty to resist!

We actually did the cake smash at the last part of the shoot 'cuz it was gonna be the messiest part. After that can bathe and pack up.. But I decided to show this segment first 'cuz its the highlight of the shoot!! I was REALLY SURPRISED with how gentle she was with the cake. She's a BLW (baby-led weaning) baby FYI.. and a rather greedy one (look at her tum-tum!). Hahaha.. I pictured her to attack the cake and feast on it but turns out she was just sitting infront of the cake staring at it.

Alexandria was really helpful in terms of giving advises for preparation.. The step-by-step prep advises she sent via email was really useful but this Mama forgot about some parts.. Alex actually did advise about showing and letting baby try cake before the shoot, just to let them be familiar with this new food. I totally forgot so when it came to the shoot day she didn't "recognize" the cake as food. We had to stimulate a smash and let her taste it before she even got into action. Ok lah, it was not bad too just that I was really surprised by her. Alex says Baby H. was probably one of the cleanest baby of her cake smash shoot babies. Hurhur....

I got my theme inspiration from Mr. G.. as usual.. Wanted something pink, tutu, girly, viola~ Not difficult to come up with this. Well our shoot was not as glamorous as the above but it turned out just as great! I wanted a classic naked-baby look which I think some parents might be conservative of. But she's a baby, definitely looks cutest in the tutu-only get up.. And I was right! Haha.. Please hor don't try to steal my photos ah.. Report you!!! *hymppph*

Besides knowing the theme you want, the colour of the outfit and backdrop, the next important thing to prep is the cake. The cake I have here is a basic cake from Charlotte Grace Cakeshop which cost only $20!!!! Super cheap!!! And the bunting cost me extra $5 which is optional. It is less sweet so it's a great first-cake for baby. I tried it after the shoot, really doesn't taste much.. I chose a simple single-coloured cream cake with rose frostings. Simple and suits our theme pretty much. Oh yes the cake was about 8" if I'm not wrong.

Simple, classic set up.

This taken before the cake smash segment.. Alex took solo shots of the girls and both the sisters together. Love her cheeky smile here, such a sweetheart.

If you like the outfits I prepped for the shoot, you may check out at the end of this blog.. I'm sure many of you would want to know so I've penned it down below.

Check out out family outfit. Me likey!! And especially the customized matching headbands. So cute! The girls had this bunny-floral headband but Mummy had to stay feminine so I had the matching flowers minus the bunny ears. Our headbands were from HandmadeByAnneKate and the family wear was from XoxoJoy. Links on where I got them are below, check it out later!

You know this shot above is isn't exactly a planned shot? We were just hanging out after Baby H's cake smash segment and Alex started snapping a few pictures of us. I guess sometimes unplanned moments are the better ones? Besides that I want to share something. Actually I didn't look like this in the photo above. While I was choosing the photos I actually really like this picture but I was like super extra looking at the camera while everyone else was looking at Fayth. I think Alex saw how much I wanted this photo so she offered to help photoshop my head away.. Hahahaha.. Like I literally chose my "head" from another picture that had a more natural position and fixed it onto this pic.. Then it turned out like that. Really awesome PS skills!! Thanks Alex for the service and skills!!

Alex was really great to work with.. in terms of pre-shoot liaising, helping/advising on prepping prior to the shoot, everything was a breeze.. All I had to do was prep our outfits, the cake, and turned up on time. I had to send in photos for Baby H's first birthday party at Pororo Park days after the shoot and Alex also managed to send me the photos I needed on time so that the party planners could print them up on her birthday board. She was also great with my kids and was able to get both their attention pretty well. This is definitely a plus point 'cuz otherwise it'll be chaotic!! Alex is a mother herself so she definitely know a thing or two on how to play with and entertain the little ones.

The photo selection process was also a breeze.. I chose to meet her at Trehaus (some where in town) because it was nearer for me 'cuz I'm all the was from the West.. She usually offers another location which is her studio at Kallang area. Photo selection was done over her iPad where she presented a video slideshow of the photos from out shoot and gave it to me at the end of the session. Alex is really friendly and nice to work with, I assure! Please ah, I'm not saying this 'cuz I'm sponsored. I can be sponsored but if service is terrible I'll still sound it out because I'll only recommend what's good k!

Lastly I was given this little wooden box with a wooden USB drive in it that says "Picspirations Photography" with the photos I selected stored in it. It's a little keep sake Alex gives to all her clients after the photoshoot to keep our memories in. Love it to bits. Thank you Alex for the shoot, as well as everything through the short journey from prepping til the end. My Hubby and I enjoyed the shoot and love the photos. Def. recommend! : D

That's all for today & I hope you liked my review for the day. Do feel free to leave comments in the comment box below if you have any question/s regarding the topic and I'll try my best to answer them if it's not already stated in my blog above. Stay tuned for more reviews, bye~! ; )

If you'd like to find out more about Picspiration Photography, you may check them out on their website. Here are some links you can check out:
~ Official Website, click here.
~ Facebook page, over here.
~ Instagram page, here.

Give-Away Alert~~!!

Want to win an Outdoor Family Portrait Session worth $250 at an outdoor location of your choice, as well as two 4 x 4” Acrylic Blocks (of two selected images of your choice, worth $100 each)??The total value of this giveaway adds up to $450!!

Head on to my IG now to join!! (click here)

Some of you might be keen on our outfit. Here's where I got them from:

1) Matching Family Wear > @xoxojoyofficial > Quote "Vanny10" for % off!
2) Matching Head Bands > @handmadebyannekate > Some needs to be custom made so please inquire in advance as the maker needs time to get them done.

3) Matching Tutu Skirts > Taobao > Lots of it there! Just make sure you order in advance to receive on time.
4) Basic cake for Cake Smash; Charlotte Grace Cakeshop. Its less sweet and great as baby's first cake.

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Thank you for reading my blog. Cheers and see you soon! : )