I’ve had the same thing happen to me. Very difficult for the cake designer because you have put your heart and soul into the cake making sure that it is stunning BUT in the end, it is the bride’s cake to do with as she wishes. My solution would have been to do exactly what you have done – take pictures first without the figurines and then put them on as requested. No one has said that you had to use the pics with the figurines as advertising for your work. The artistry belongs to you and you are free to choose how/what images you use to show your work!
Kerry Feland