by Kristin Vacca | Jan 12, 2021 | Cake Smash
Mario Cake Smash | Newington, CT
Another one of my Annual Review Plan graduates has turned one! Wasn’t he just in our Newington, CT studio for his newborn photo shoot?? And again for his six-month sit up session?? We’ve had such a fun time this year getting to know him and his little family. And Mom & Dad’s most important request was to create a custom set for a Mario cake smash! As big Nintendo fans, they had a bunch of little stuffies to contribute. And together, we came up with an adorable scene for their little guy! Now, COVID-19 has kept a lot of us at home more often, especially our littlest clients! So it’s not surprising when lack of social interaction with others beyond Mom & Dad and maybe grandparents causes a little bit more of a stranger danger reaction. This little man was pretty wary about our photo shoot this time compared to our pst interactions together. But still, we had a pretty cute set up for some great first birthday portraits! He might not have been a big fan of getting messy or eating cake, but boy was it a cute one from our friend at Betty’s Cake Creations! We can’t believe he’s already 1, but it’s been such a pleasure working together for the last year. And hopefully we’ll see him back again for the next milestone or holiday!
by Kristin Vacca | Dec 17, 2020 | Cake Smash
Farmhouse Cake Smash | Middletown, CT
Cake Smashes! They are one of my favorite things to do here at The Flash Lady Photography studio in Newington, CT! When I get to brainstorm with parents to come up with a theme that is unique them AND unique to my studio, it’s always fun to see what we can do! So Mom asked for a farmhouse cake smash to go along with a very popular decor style right now! And I love everything about that style because it’s such a neat combination of woods and whites. I knew that I had some items that would work perfectly, but I also had to go out and find some new materials to add in. Sets definitely are an investment in you too! So I always tell my clients – I will put just as much of an investment in you as you do in me! We started out the session with some quick family photos that were so cute! Little man gave us some great smiles right away that just warmed Mom’s heart! He loved playing with our toys, blocks, balloon, and checking out some of the more unique items of the set. Next it was time for cake! And you know what – he just didn’t want to get that messy! It’s a common thing – if you think about it, we’re always cleaning their messes and then all of a sudden want them to get messy and they get confused! Luckily wiping off hands and using a spoon instead keep the session going. Lastly it was tub time, which he absolutely loved and the smiles were back! Splashing and playing with the rubber duckies were a great time and I think he would have stayed there playing all day! What an adorable gallery he had and it is going to look just beautiful in his heirloom Signature Album when it comes in! This is a great way to get a higher volume of quality photos printed and still purchase some ala carte digitals to do with it! Enjoy some of his many favorites – I know you’ll have a hard time picking! *Don’t forget, if you’re looking to book any of our custom theme sessions, we recommend booking at least 1-2 months in advance to ensure availability and planning!
by Kristin Vacca | Nov 3, 2020 | Cake Smash
Vintage Cake Smash | West Hartford, CT
It’s been so wonderful watching this little Miss grow up this summer! We saw each other back in June for her 9 month session and before we knew it, it was time to plan her vintage cake smash for her first birthday! At first Mom had mentioned that she had a few vintage pieces from her Mother that she wanted to incorporate into the set, but she wasn’t sure how to create a theme around them. After going back and forth with a few ideas, I told her that I would surprise her with something that would definitely utilize them appropriately. And I just love how this theme came together! Utilizing some props that I haven’t used in a while and some classic favorites from other sets, I put something together that went perfectly with her little peach-pink dress. After some time to get re-acquainted and warmed up, we were happy to sit smiling away while playing with some pearls that Mom brought from home! We were very curious about how the cake worked when it came time for the main event. We used a special request of angel-food cake with a dairy free frosting to accommodate her tummy troubles, and the cake from Betty’s Cake Creations came out beautifully! Tub time was a blast and she loved playing with all of the ducks and splashing around. We had a great session together, and I can’t wait to see these photos in some beautiful frames and prints on the wall! It’s been so much fun getting to know this sweetie and I can’t wait to see her for our 3rd session, as part of our popular Annual Review Plan, with her sister sometime next year! Enjoy some of their favorites below! And stay tuned for more adorable smashes this fall!
by Kristin Vacca | Oct 20, 2020 | Cake Smash
Lakers Basketball Cake Smash | Hartford, CT
He shoots…he scores! What an adorable theme that Mom decided to go with for this one years old’s first birthday celebration! After talking on the phone about different options, she settled right away on a Lakers basketball cake smash – something that friends had suggested especially because this little guy LOVES playing with any type of ball! So I put my thinking cap on and came up with this cute set perfect for a budding future basketball player! Our balloon garlands are a great way to incorporate color, and in this case it was great to highlight the Lakers colors while not making the background too busy for everything else I was putting together for him. He went to work right away showing me all of his moves and skill with putting the ball in the hoop! We had a lot of fun and he didn’t want to stop playing! But we knew it was time for cake, and at first all was good! But this sweetie didn’t quite like getting messy – sometimes that happens! And eating wasn’t on top of the list either – I guess we just wanted to play! So that’s what we did. Even bringing in some balloon help to extend things along and then we went right to bath time instead! This is a perfect example of why we split the session into multiple parts. Sometimes, kiddos don’t do as well with certain aspects than another. So this not only keeps them interested, but allows me to still deliver a beautiful gallery to families even when we’re not as much of a fan of the cake. Bath time was a HIT! Lots of splashing, duck play, and smiles! We saved the day, and I can’t wait to see all of his beautiful choices in an heirloom album for his family to enjoy over and over again! Check out some of the many favorites chosen below!
by Kristin Vacca | Sep 29, 2020 | Cake Smash
Floral Kate Spade Cake Smash | Newington, CT
Baby girl has turned 1 and another one of my Annual Review Plan babies has graduated! It seems like just yesterday that she was here for her newborn photoshoot in my Newington, CT studio, and before we knew it, it was time for her floral Kate Spade cake smash! The great thing about custom designing my cake smash sets is that I can utilize props from different past designs to create anything they like! Mom had her eye on a Kate Spade style background that was custom ordered by a client a few years ago, but also liked a lot of the flowers I’ve used in other sets. AND she wanted to try and incorporate the little baby carriage that we used during her newborn photos to bring everything full circle. The challenge was on! And in the end, I think I made something pretty adorable! Paired with some cute outfit choices by Mom, and this sweetie was ready to go! She needed some time in the beginning to warm up, but after checking out my set and really being fond of the butterflies, we were ready for cake! Which she loved! We had a lot of fun eating and playing before cleaning up (and splashing) in our tub bath before heading home! I love how her gallery came out and the favorites that her parents chose! I can’t believe that she’s already 1, and look forward to watching her continue to grow up! Which one is your favorite?
by Kristin Vacca | Sep 15, 2020 | Cake Smash
Pink Floral Cake Smash | East Hartford, CT
Cake smash planning begins well in advance of the session date, and it’s a big reason why I recommend to parents that we book a date and start planning at least 4-6 weeks out (and even longer if possible!). Most of the time, I’m planning something either from scratch, or still needing to make additional purchases to theme to create something. Items take time to ship or shop for to make your child’s set just right! We don’t use backdrops here with props built in – I feel it gives an artificial look and perspective isn’t always the best. So, I prefer personally to build my own with parents directly and come up with something unique they will love! A few weeks prior to this cutie’s arrival, I had actually photographed a similar lavender cake smash theme that she loved so much, she asked if I could do something similar for a pink floral cake smash instead! Now her cousin had some to see me a few years back for a nautical cake smash, and at the time he was probably the best smasher I ever had! So this time it was her turn to shine. But you know what? This little one loved her Mommy SO much. And I’m sure with everyone being home with COVID-19, that only added to the fears some one-year-olds have about strangers. But each of my appointments is built in individually for that day, so there’s no rushing here! Sometimes, a little extra time a patience is all that is needed to turn a rough session into a great one! And in her case, a little ornament I happened to have (we like to have things on hand they can touch and hold to keep in one place) was her ticket to happiness! So you know what? We let her have that ornament whenever she wanted to. Portraits went really well, but the cake, albeit delicious, was not as much of a fan of getting frosting all over her hands. So into the tub we went! And after some initial crying (which Mom loved those photos anyway!), we were back to all smiles, splashing, and playing with rubber duckies! Despite some tears and uncertainty, this little one came away with another beautiful gallery that her Mom chose to have made into one of our newest popular products – the Favorites Box – which pairs beautiful professional matted prints with a corresponding USB drive of digital files for those same images. A perfect way to get both printed and digital keepsakes of your child’s session! Contact us today about planning your child’s special birthday session!
