2 0 1 8   F I R S T   B I R T H D A Y   S E S S I O N   P R I C I N G

ALL packages are ALL INCLUSIVE
Your images are delivered via digital download
Please note that for personal reasons I do not travel more than 15mi from St. Charles, IL for on-location sessions, thank you for understanding
C L A S S I C   F U L L   F I R S T   B I R T H D A Y   S E S S I O N
$375
Simple cake smash set design using your choice of colors, a banner, poofs, balloons, and a solid-colored paper backdrop
View example photos HERE
This session focuses mainly on the birthday baby but can include a family portrait
1 hour in studio or on location outdoors
Includes 1 or 2 outfits and choice of a different backdrop from cake smash set
Pre-smash birthday portraits PLUS cake smash (client provides cake)
Optional bathtub prop for some splashy fun after the cake smash
*30+ fully edited digital images with print release
$100 RETAINER - remaining balance due one or before the day of your session
*all edited digital images are included
S I G N A T U R E   F U L L   F I R S T   B I R T H D A Y   S E S S I O N
$425
Fully customized cake smash set design using your choice of colors, themed props, and access to all of my backdrops
View example photos HERE
This session focuses mainly on the birthday baby but can include a family portrait
1 hour in studio
Includes 1 or 2 outfits and choice of a different backdrop from cake smash set
Pre-smash birthday portraits PLUS cake smash (client provides cake)
Optional bathtub prop for some splashy fun after the cake smash
*30+ fully edited digital images with print release
$100 RETAINER - remaining balance due one or before the day of your session
*all edited digital images are included
C A K E   S M A S H   O N L Y
$250
Available for Classic cake smash backdrops only with your choice of colors
This session is only for the birthday boy/girl, no family or sibling shots
20-30 minutes in studio or on location
1 outfit
*15+ fully edited digital images with print release
$50 retainer - remaining balance due on or before the day of your session
*all edited digital images are included
M I L E S T O N E   P O R T R A I T S   O N L Y
$250
This session is only for the birthday boy/girl, no family or sibling shots (exception made for twins, etc)
1 or 2 outfits
20-30 minutes in studio or on location
*15+ fully edited digital images with print release
$50 retainer - remaining balance due on or before the day of your session
*all edited digital images are included
M I N I   M I L E S T O N E   S E S S I O N
$100
 (Available the 1st & 3rd Tuesday each month (this may vary). Check here for upcoming session dates/times
This session is for the birthday boy/girl, no family shots (exception made for twins, etc)
1 outfit
1 simple backdrop setup (no cake smash)
10-15 minutes in studio
*5+ fully edited digital images with print release
Full balance due at time of booking
*all edited digital images are included

Helpful Tips.

  1. For the Full Cake Smash Session there are two outfits allowed: A cute first birthday outfit, and the cake smash “attire”. The first half of the session will be portraits of your baby dressed in a cute outfit for traditional first birthday portraits. Then you'll take a few minutes to change your baby into their cake smash outfit.
  2. Let your baby have cake at least a couple of times before the cake smash session. This way they will be familiar with cake enough to move past the exploration phase and they can get excited about it like the rest of us! Feeding them cake ahead of time also helps determine if your baby has any allergies or sensitivity to the icing or food coloring.  But believe it or not, many babies think the texture of the icing feels weird.  Some babies don’t like it at all and get upset when it won’t easily wipe off, and some babies are very interested in it and examine it very seriously.
  3. It is great to incorporate some decorations from the first birthday party (such as a crafty banner). A DIY banner is usually a PERFECT look to dress up a cake smash. I can also provide coordinating helium-filled balloons upon request.
  4. What if the baby gets messy? Your baby will definitely need a bath after, and you might also!  I do have a sink available in the studio to help with cleanup! Outdoor sessions are also available, but you'll want to bring items along to clean up the baby. We will also have to set up in a low-traffic area since the cake mess will get all over the ground (we have to be considerate of others!)
  5. Most babies simply wear a diaper cover (I have several ruffled covers for girls available to borrow), a tutu or cloth diaper for the cake smash. Some parents prefer to do the cake smash with the baby fully clothed instead of in a diaper, and this is totally fine with me. Just be aware that the clothes and diaper cover MAY be ruined by the icing coloring. (which is why I don’t provide fancy clothing!). It’s important to coordinate with me once you’ve chosen your cake smash outfit so I can plan the backdrop set colors, and you can coordinate icing on your cake smash cake.
  6. If your baby has a fever or is not feeling well on the day of the session, then it needs to be rescheduled. We will not get good results and good smiles if your baby isn’t feeling well. Just put the cake into the freezer for safe keeping. Take it out of the freezer with enough time to let it thaw prior to the next session.
  7. Have some puffs, Cheerios or your baby’s favorite dry finger food on hand to stuff into the cake in case they need help being a little more interested in it.
  8. Also have a sippy cup within arms reach in case your baby gets thirsty. It's fine if your baby needs a little break.
  9. It's up to you to order and pick up your child's smash cake. As a former cake decorator (for 12 years), I learned the importance of knowing exactly what you are giving your baby for allergy reasons. I can help you come up with a cake design if you'd like!
  10. Please avoid ordering chocolate cake (it's very messy and distracting in the photos) and please avoid fondant decorations (this can pose as a choking hazard).
  11. If you prefer to provide a home-baked cake yourself instead of from the bakery, please make sure that no toothpicks or other structural items are placed inside the cake. Also for home-baked cakes, please avoid lining the base plate with tin foil.
  12. Feel free to buy a candle, or custom cake topper (etsy!) that we can use for the first portion of the cake smash, and remove when things get messy
  13. Bring a bath towel – It’s going to get messy. A bath towel works great for clean-up. I try to have one on hand as well but an extra can't hurt!

Need some inspiration? Check out my Pinterest board!

*Prices are subject to change at any time. A booked session has locked in prices and any changes do not apply. Both a contract and retainer are due to reserve your session date/time. Remaining session fee is due at the time of the session. Price includes the digital files included in the package (available by digital download - additional edited images may be available for purchase), time spent on location, editing of images, an online purchasing gallery (available for 2 weeks), and rights to the digital images. An additional fee is due to reactivate a gallery once it expires. Any rescheduling will be done based on availability. I maintain the right to reschedule if needed due to weather, illness, emergency, etc.

I do not provide unedited images as it is not a reflection of my work. All photos are copyright of Mandy Ringe Photography*