Smash Cake 101 Build A Basic Smash Cake Set
Welcome back to the blog you guys. Today we are taking the advice of everyone’s favorite Chinese philosopher from the roaring 50’s (550 BC that is) and we are starting our smash cake journey with a single step. In the world of smash cake photography it’s really easy to get lost down the rabbit hole of props, lighting, camera settings and self doubt. When the white rabbit lures me down that hole I always back up and think to myself WWKQCD. For those of you who don’t have the WWKQCD silicone bracelet, it stands for “What Would Kong Qiu Confucius Do?”. Yes Confucius’s full name was Kong Qiu Confucius and now you can file that away in your mental folder of semi-impressive facts reserved for boring cocktail parties. You’re welcome!
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
So taking the advice of good old Kong Qui the King of Philosophy I always start each smash cake photo journey with the first step. That’s exactly what today’s King Kong sized 30min video is all about. Yeah I know that was a clumsy transition but you try and combining smash cake photography with a Chinese philosopher and a giant ape. It’s not easy! So today you’re gonna have to just settle for (or make peace with) sloppy, nonsensical transitions!
(And now for sloppy transition #1…)
In this video we’re taking a deep dive into how to build a basic smash cake set using everyone’s favorite and cheap set foundation, seamless paper. Seamless paper is the basis of many smash cake photo sets because it’s so easy to clean up and serves as both the backdrop and the floor of the smash cake set. Anytime you get a twofer like that your business is saving time and money!
(Sloppy Transition #2)
In This Video We Cover:
Seamless Paper Tips
Backdrop Stands and Safety
What Props To Use
Wardrobe / Outfits
Natural Light Vs. Strobes / Speedlights
Where To Put Your Lights (Daniel's Secret Hack)
What To Do If Your Client Brings An Ugly Cake
What to Charge For Your Session Fee
and more…
Items used and recommended in this video:
Savage Fashion Gray Seamless Paper
White Washed Wooden Cake Stand
Blue and White Checkered Outfit For Boys
Flash Point 10ft Century Stand
I really hope you guys enjoy the video and get a ton out of it. If you have any questions about the video, or smash cake photography in general, I invite you to ask your question in the comment section. I will happily answer it as accurately and honestly as I can and if I can’t… I’ll point you in the direction of someone who can.
(Sloppy transition #3)
In the interest of being accurate and honest I have to come clean.
Confucius did not write that bit about a Journey of a Thousand Miles starting with a single step... That was written for a classic Chinese text called the Dao De Jing by a philosopher named Lao Tzu. But let’s face it: Confucius was the Elvis Presley of Chinese Philosophy, Lao Tzu was more of a Ronnie Dawson. Who the hell was Ronnie Dawson you ask? I say “thanks for making my point.” I chose a more well known name to help me make my point. Feel free to try it at home. Say something that sounds remotely wise, tack Confucius’s name to the end of it, and no one will question it. Try THAT at your next cocktail party, it’s a blast! You can thank me later.
“The path to obliterating dessert items while creating art and simultaneously achieving monetary success starts with TheSmashCake.com” - Confucius
See, it works!
Daniel