CAKE SMASH PHOTOGRAPHY

Celebrate your child turning one by capturing their first taste of cake on camera. It's such a fun and memorable way mark your little ones first birthday. You'll get to watch them explore new tastes and textures, recording their personality with those cute and funny expressions that you'll love and treasure forever from this precious milestone.

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The cake smash photoshoots consists of four sessions...

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First we start off with 'SMILE', which is a standard portrait photoshoot, including backdrops and props, getting beautiful photos of them before things get messy. This also allows them to get used to their new surrounding and photos being taken.

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Then it's the 'SMASH', this is where the fun begins and things get messy, for this part we sit your (not so little) baby in front of the cake and all rules go out of the window, we let them go crazy. Children love to be let loose on a cake, which creates some brilliant laughs, smiles, giggles and expressions, resulting in some amazing, fun photos.

Now it's time to clean up with the 'SPLASH', where we put your little one in the mini bath tub with water and plenty of bubbles, letting them splash away and enjoy the water, which creates some gorgeous, natural photos. Towel shots can also be included after the session.

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Finally, if you are brave enough to step in front of the camera yourself, then here comes the 'FAMILY' part, where we'll get a few lovely images of you all together. Other siblings can be part of this too if arranged prior to the session taking place.

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Cake smashes come in a choice of themes, pink, blue or neutral. Once you give your colour preference, a set will be designed to that specification including the birthday cake, props, decorations and outfit. If you opt for the a unique theme (additional £100), the cake smash will be customised just for you, with hand picked decorations, props and a cake designed to your chosen theme. By having your session tailored, it ensures you're not just getting the same as everyone else, making your photos unique and more memorable as I will never do two the same for the premium sessions.

Not too sure about cake? Maybe cake isn't your thing, or your child has allergies? Well there's plenty of alternatives such as jelly, fruit, ice cream, spaghetti, water melon.. Pretty much anything messy! These are just as fun and look just as good. Any idea can be discussed upon request.

Your session should ideally be booked around 3 months before your child's first birthday, I will need a minimum of four weeks notice due to buying props, creating the backdrops and organising the cake. I will always try to accommodate late bookings, but this is not always possible. Deposit is payable on date of booking. The photoshoot will take place in Inspirique's photography studio in Syston, Leicestershire where I can easily control temperature, lighting and safety issues and also have access to various props and backgrounds.

I do ask for a non refundable retainer of £99, this will guarantee that no one else books me on your chosen date (I only schedule one cake smash in per day so there's no pressure on time.. And cleaning up!). Please be aware that the deposit is a non-refundable retainer and the deposit payment is legally a non-refundable retainer payment as renumeration for other work that is lost as a result of the retained date. In the very unlikely event I have to cancel, I will pay you back the deposit in full. I have up to the agreed photoshoot date to refund you.

At the end of your photoshoot, we'll get you booked in to come back to see your beautiful images, so make sure you bring your upcoming schedule! Scroll further down the page for what happens after your session.

PRICING 

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Prices below are our all inclusive packages, and there's no hidden costs. These are the packages you have to choose from upon viewing your images. You do not have to decide and commit to a package until you've seen your images. We offer a money back guarantee for your reassurance. See below: 

All packages include:

- Consultation before the session to make your session as bespoke as possible

- Six page PDF guide to prepare you for your maternity photoshoot

- 1-2 hours studio time with a trained, registered & qualified maternity and newborn professional photographer

- Many different styles and poses, including other children and partner

- Use of all props within the photography studio

- Editing and retouching of your final photographs to the highest standard

- A face to face viewing to view your fully edited photographs

- Referral scheme to earn £25 to spend at Inspirique with each friend you recommend

- Huge discounts at various local baby relates business. Exclusively for Inspirique customers

- Huge discounts at various local baby related businesses. Exclusively for Inspirique customers

AFTER THE SESSION 

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Once your cake smash and splash photography session is completed, I will process the images to the highest standard. I edit the images down to give you a range to choose from and spend time turning the images into beautiful art work. There will be a mixture of black and white and colour. If requested, your images can be re-touched so you will not see scratches, bumps, rashes, bruises and stretch marks. (I will never do this unless requested before prior to editing). I will choose what best suits the images based on skin tones of the subject and the range of fabrics, colours and textures that have been used in the styling.

As I know you will be very keen to see some photo's, I will get a sneak preview to you within 72 hours of the session, my usual way of displaying these images is through my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Inspirique), as it is a great way to tag and share with your friends and family, and also I can show potential new customers my up to date work. However, if you wish to keep your images private, this is no problem, but please inform me of this when making your booking or at your photoshoot.

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You will then come back to see your gallery, and to choose and pick your chosen package and images. Photo viewings usually take place within 3-6 weeks from the day of your photoshoot, which we will schedule in at your session so you know when you're coming back to the studio. Please note: Your viewing appointment is the only time your images will be available to view and purchase. All purchased images are kept for 12 months, any un-purchased images are removed permanently.

FAQ 

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions I get regarding your cake smash session, if your question isn't listed below, or if you'd like to discuss something in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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When do I need to book my session?

Please book a minimum of 8 weeks in advance for your photoshoot, spaces are very limited and I would hate to have to turn you away. Sometimes we do have last minute slots so it's always worth enquiring, but earlier the better to guarantee a space and avoid disappointment. We need to give the baker at least 4 weeks notice.

How do I book?

You can book online via the booking form at the bottom of this page here. You will be required to pay a £99 deposit to secure your chosen date and time.

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How do I prepare my baby?

There's not too much that needs to be done for a cake smash, just make sure they're happy and a little hungry for cake.. But not 'hangry' so they don't settle and pose. Just do your usual routine. As the cake smashes are messy, it may be a good idea to get your child used to getting their hands and face dirty so they enjoy it a little more. I know some children don't like any mess on them, so giving them experience with this will hopefully make the session run a little smoother. Once you book, you'll receive a PDF prep guide with hints and tips too.

Will you be handling my baby?

Yes. I would not be handling your baby as much as a newborn photoshoot, but I will still be holding them, playing with them, moving them into positions, and changing them into outfits. So it is vital you have trust in me as your photographer. If you feel at all uncomfortable with the thought of me handling your baby then a baby photoshoot isn't for you. You will always be present during the shoot and baby is supervised at all times.

Do I need to bring anything?

Other than bringing your usual bag of bits, l have everything l need. If you have your own prop ideas to make your photoshoot unique to you, feel free to bring anything along with you. Due to cake flying about everywhere, it may be an idea to bring a spare change of clothes, for you and your child. If you are wanting to be in photos, I'd suggest changing into nicer clothes when we do these photos, and don't wear your best outfit for the smash part.

When is best to bring my child to their cake smash?

There's no law to say that a cake smash must be for a birthday, but as this tends to be the done thing, it's best to bring them on a date close to their birthday, give or take a few weeks either side.

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What's the best time to bring my child?

This totally depends on your child's routine and nap time, each baby is different and you as a parent will know when is their happiest time of the day. We can offer sessions to begin at either 10am or 2pm.

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Can I bring other people to the session?

I am more than happy for both parents and other children to come along, however, I do not allow more than one adult with you during this unless agreed prior to the shoot. I recommend older siblings joining us at the end for the family images, as from past experience they tend to distract baby away from the photoshoot, but you know your children best so it's totally your call. 

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What happens if my baby cries and wont smile for photos?

If your baby really doesn't like having their photo taken, then I wouldn't advise bringing them to the studio as this could upset them more. For this I'd suggest an outdoor shoot so it's more relaxed and unposed. However, if your little one usually loves the camera and is having a bad day, your shoot can be rescheduled to suit. But I will always try my best to get the shots on the day if time allows.. Plus I can be very silly with my weird and wonderful noises, singing and dancing to get the babies to smile!

T&C's 

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Deposit of £99 is payable on date of booking which is a retainer to secure your session, this will guarantee that no one else books me on your chosen date and time. Please be aware that the deposit is a non-refundable retainer and the deposit payment is legally a non-refundable retainer payment as renumeration for other work that is lost as a result of the retained date. In the very unlikely event I have to cancel, I will pay you back the deposit in full. I have up to the agreed photoshoot date to refund you. No refunds will be given for non-attendance or cancellation.

The £99 fee is a deposit only and does not include any images. This is deducted from your chosen package upon viewing. The basic, standard and premium packages are the only packages to choose from for your cake smash photoshoot.

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If you wish to upgrade and book a bespoke theme, this must be paid for alongside your deposit and is in addition to the packages. These are add ons only and are not deducted from your final package like the deposit is. Add ons are non-refundable.

Price is for the photoshoot to take place at Inspirique's photography studio based in Syston, Leicestershire only. Outdoor maternity sessions can be arranged with plenty of notice.

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If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

BOOK TODAY

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Cake smashes are generally booked around 3 months before your child's birthday. So please reserve your slot as soon as you possibly can to avoid disappointment. I will always try my best to accommodate last minute bookings but please be aware I am not always able to do so.

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If you are wanting a photoshoot within the next month, please contact me first to check availability.

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Please book your session by completing the fields below. Before booking, please ensure you've read through the pricing & info and viewed the gallery so

you know what you're purchasing. If you have any other questions, or would like to book directly with me, please get in touch.