It’s your fur‑baby’s birthday & you want to do something super special for them but you aren’t sure what it is…then a CAKE SMASH IS THE WAY TO GO!
Let them go crazy & chomp on a cake, roll around in the grass & be all gooofy!
Celebrate them at their weirdest, most true self!
Legs kicking in the air as they wiggle their body on the ground, face covered in icing from the cake, fur all messy & wet from the drool 😂
WE WOULDN’T WANT IT ANY OTHER WAY!!
Here are a few tips you can follow to help you prepare for your dog’s birthday cake smash shoot!
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1. ORDER A SAMPLE CAKE FOR TASTING
According to your dogs food preferences (chicken, lamb, fish or vegetarian) order sample cupcakes from 2 dog bakers that are in your city.
We want your pup to go CRAZY over the cake when it’s put in front of him. So try out a few bakers to see which cake he likes the most!
⭐️That way, on the day of the shoot, we aren’t in a situation where he doesn’t want to eat the cake! Definitely don’t want that happening!!
TAKE A LOOK AT WHERE YOU CAN ORDER YOUR DOG’S CAKE FROM ‑ https://www.instagram.com/pawparazzi.petphotography/guide/where‑to‑order‑your‑dogs‑cake‑from/18205901749179605/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
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2. LET’S TALK THEMES!
All of our birthday shoots follow a theme & colour scheme. It could be a STUDIO shoot, or a PICNIC set up or in this case, a DISCO PARTY theme! Make it YOURS & make it unique!
In each theme, we will discuss:‑
1. COLOUR SCHEME (this you will follow for YOUR clothes & your dogs ACCESSORIES as well)
2. CAKE DESIGN
(The baker would have to follow the colour scheme you decide for the cake as well to help bring everything together!)
3. ACCESSORIES
(What will your dog wear, do you want a special birthday hat, or a bandana, or a tux etc…)
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3. LOCATION & SET UP
WHERE would you like to do the cake smash? Indoors at home, outdoors in a park or on the beach?
Honestly, the best photos comes outdoors, with beautiful sunlight, the trees & flowers in bloom all contributing to some beautiful photos.
OUTDOOR SET UP:‑
• Picnic mat
• Big & Small soft toys
• Cake Stand
• Bubble Machine
• Birthday Hats
• Bandanas & Bow ties
• Chalk Board
INDOOR SET UP:‑
• Studio set up (Background paper)
• Cake Stand
• Confetti
• Bubble Machine
• Birthday Hats, Bandanas & Bow ties
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4. GROOMING
Aaaah, the part of most pampering…. The Dog Spa. Get them groomed.
Spoilt them a little with a massage & a spa session at a groomer close to you or do a spa day for them at home!!
Get them to look their best with a great blowout & perfectly combed fur.
Yes, they may get a little dirty after their shoot, but it’s all worth it when you see them happy, right!?
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5. DRESS UP
The day isn’t only about them, it’s about YOU TOO!
It’s also about celebrating WITH them, celebrating the relationship you share & smothering them with love!
So don’t forget to get dressed up for the shoot. You can keep it casual & breezy or dress it up depending on the theme you’ve chosen!
⭐️ You will have to follow the colour scheme that you had chosen for the shoot, for your clothes as well!
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6. ON THE DAY OF THE SHOOT…
RULE #1 ‑ DON’T GIVE THEM A FULL MEAL IN THE MORNING.
90% of our shoots take place from 6:30‑9:30am in the morning.
When you turn up for the shoot, your pupper should be just hungry enough to work for their treats. This helps to listen to commands better & this way, we get the best of the best photos!
RULE #2 ‑ TIRE THEM OUT A LITTLE
Take them for a slightly longer walk that day. Tire them out a little more so that when we get to the location, your pupper isn’t super hyperactive.
Instead of them having zoomies & dragging you across the lawn, stressing you out, having them a little tired will help us grab their attention faster!
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7. BE A PART OF THE SHOOT
Be a part of the shoot.
I understand that you may not be comfortable in front of the camera, that’s okay, I'm here to help you with that!
It’s okay to be uncomfortable in the moment. You may want the shoot to be only of your pupper, but trust me, try to be a part of it as much as possible.
It’s all worth it in the end when you see the photos.
If later you don’t want to select those photographs, that’s alright, at least you have that option & don’t miss out on it!
THINGS TO CARRY IN YOUR BAG!
1. Leash & collar
2. Different types of treats (We tell our clients to carry 3 levels of treats.
Start with treats that they are okay with, then a treat that’s tastier & smellier than the first one, and lastly, the most smelliest treat that makes him/her drool!)
This helps us keep the rewards interesting for them!
3. Their favourite toys
4. A Brush & grooming wipes for touch ups in case they have zoomies!
5. Water & water bowl
6. Poop bags
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8. HAVE FUN WITH IT!
Enjoy yourselves.
Be real & authentic.
Tell me what your relationship with your dog is like & what you would like captured.
All you have to do is show up & have a great time, let me capture your most special memories! ♥️🐾