A First Birthday Experience That's Fun, Relaxed, and All About Your Little One
Your baby's first birthday is such a special milestone. It somehow feels like they were just born yesterday, yet here they are—crawling, laughing, showing off their personality, and getting ready to celebrate an entire year of life.
If you've never booked a cake smash session before, it's completely normal to wonder what to expect.
Will my baby actually eat the cake?
What if they cry?
How long does it take?
Don't worry—I've got you! Here's exactly what a cake smash session looks like from start to finish.
Before Your Session
Once your session is booked, we'll start planning the fun part—the setup!
Whether you've chosen one of my themed cake smash sessions or have a specific vision in mind, we'll work together to create something that celebrates your little one. Some families love a simple, timeless setup, while others go all out with a favorite theme. Either way, my goal is to create a backdrop that keeps the focus where it belongs—on your baby.
You'll also receive information on what to bring, outfit recommendations, and everything you need to know before session day.
We Always Start With Portraits
One thing many parents don't realize is that the cake comes last.
Before there's frosting everywhere, we'll capture classic first birthday portraits.
These images are some of my favorites because they're clean, timeless, and all about your baby's personality. Whether they're giving me big belly laughs, showing off those new teeth, or flashing their curious little expressions, this part of the session creates beautiful portraits you'll love long after the birthday decorations are put away.
Then Comes the Cake!
Once we've finished the portraits, it's time for the main event.
Every baby reacts differently when the cake is placed in front of them.
Some babies dive right in.
Some carefully inspect every sprinkle.
Some want nothing to do with it at first.
And honestly? Every reaction is adorable.
There's never any pressure for your baby to "perform." I let them explore at their own pace while I capture their genuine expressions and reactions.
What If My Baby Doesn't Like the Cake?
This is probably the question I'm asked most often.
The truth is... it's completely okay!
I've photographed babies who demolished their cake in minutes, and I've photographed babies who never took a single bite.
The goal of a cake smash session isn't to see how much cake they can eat.
It's to celebrate your baby's first birthday and capture who they are right now.
Sometimes the funniest, sweetest photos happen before the cake is ever touched.
Expect a Few Messes (That's Half the Fun!)
Cake smash sessions can get... messy.
Frosting on little noses.
Cake in their hair.
Tiny frosting-covered fingers.
Big smiles (and sometimes puzzled looks!)
That's all part of the experience, and honestly, it's one of the reasons parents love these sessions so much.
I recommend bringing a towel, wipes, and a change of clothes for the ride home—just in case your little one decides to wear more cake than they eat!
Relax and Let Your Baby Lead
The best advice I can give is simple:
Don't stress.
Babies can sense when we're anxious, and every little one has their own personality.
Some are outgoing.
Some take a few minutes to warm up.
Some would rather clap, crawl, or wave than touch the cake.
All of those moments are worth documenting because they're real.
I follow your baby's lead throughout the session to keep things fun and relaxed.
