I learned several things while photographing this handsome boy just after his first birthday:
1) Boyish colors are not always enticing on a cake. (In fact, orangey-red and gold look like ketchup and mustard!)
2) Vegan cakes, while allergen-free, are not enticing to little people. (Or to big people: bring on the buttercream.)
3) Chocolate, on baby’s hands and near baby’s diaper, does not look so much like chocolate.
4) A fair-skinned, plumpalicious babe and the magnificent afternoon light in my sideyard trump all of the above.

Look at gorgeous Maguire! Who cares if he approached his questionable cake cautiously? He was so happy and content. Thankfully, he recovered quickly from his cake-induced meltdown. Speaking of cakes, it’s too bad you can’t see the 4-layer fondant cake his mom and grandmama made for his cowboy b-day party. (They live a few hours from Charleston, so I didn’t see it in person either, but wow!)

Thanks again for everyone’s participation in the cake smash baby contest, and congrats to Maguire!