Planning your baby’s first birthday is such a special milestone — and a cake smash session is the perfect way to celebrate it in a fun, memorable (and slightly messy) way.

If you’re wondering what the process looks like from start to finish, I’ve got you covered. Here’s exactly what to expect when you book a cake smash session with me!

Welcome to your daily dose of cuteness! When this momma came to me and wanted a teddy bear themed smash, I actually already had a backdrop that would work, but it wasn’t quiiiiite the look we wanted. If you don’t love making balloon garlands and want an easy to use backdrop, here is a link to the backdrop that we used as inspiration: Baby Dream Backdrops(https://babydreambackdrops.com/products/celebrating-with-teddies-big-one?_pos). Because we wanted some blues in there, I created a whole new look, and I love the way it came out! We used some soft neutrals, and some matching teddies, with a pop of blue, and adding in the twins in their matching outfits, everything came together beautifully.

We of course used a cake from my favorite baker, Sabrina Bakes(https://www.facebook.com/skothebakes), who as usual, knocked the cake design out of the park.

The happiest little cake smasher! I had Riley in for her one year old cake smash, we started with some portraits of baby girl, changed it up with some cake from Sabrina Bakes(https://www.facebook.com/skothebakes), and added in a splash session at the end. Riley had a blast, and kept us all on our toes watching her splash in her little tub from Denny Manufacturing(https://dennymfg.com/products/bathtub-photography-prop).

We went with lots of cute pastels in a balloon arch, and added in my favorite thing – confetti!

Want to book a cake smash? Reach out and let’s start planning!

It’s so magical to watch a little one dive into their very own birthday cake. For this session, we kept things simple, playful, and oh-so-pretty with a soft pink backdrop and plenty of confetti to set the scene.

This birthday girl really stole the show with giant smiles and so much personality. She also has eyes for her sister only – and would really light up any time her sister was in view. Baby girl was so excited after her first taste of cake, which you can really see in the photo after she’s realized that today might be the best day ever. That’s the joy of a cake smash – you never quite know if they’ll be tentative tasters or frosting enthusiasts, but either way, the moment is unforgettable.

The pink backdrop allowed a timeless and cheerful setting, allowing all focus to stay on her happy smile and colorful confetti. She finished this happy cake smash off with using her cake as a seat the end. Possibly my favorite cake smash move ever.

This beautiful cake came from my favorite cake baker – Sabrina Bakes(https://www.facebook.com/skothebakes). The adorable confetti outfit came from Threads and Evergreen(https://threadsandevergreen.com).

There’s something so special about watching a family grow right in front of my lens. I’ve had the absolute joy of photographing this sweet family for years — and now, we’ve hit another big milestone: Baby Aria’s first birthday cake smash!

We started with some photos with her big sisters, who we needed to come in and show baby girl that photo sessions aren’t so bad, and we got some sweet sibling pictures in the process. We used an adorable backdrop from R2Backdrops(about:blank), and no pressure, but I want to use this cute backdrop at every cake smash from now on.

I won’t lie—our birthday star came in with some serious grump face energy at times. (And honestly? I respect it. Being one is tough!) With those big eyes, I couldn’t resist that sweet face, even if it was glaring at me or giving some serious side eye. But after a little patience, a lot of silly noises, and maybe one or two rounds of peekaboo behind the camera, we started seeing those smiles sneak out. And after she had had a few bites of the cake from Sabrina Bakes(https://www.facebook.com/skothebakes)? Game over. Grumpiness: gone. Frosting-covered fingers and cheeky grins took over, and it was pure gold.

What I love most about this session—besides the adorable frosting face—is how it tells the full story. Real moments. A little sass, a lot of sweetness, and the kind of joy and precious moments that only a cake smash can deliver.

Happy birthday, Aria! Watching you smash your cake was such a treat (pun very much intended). Here’s to another year of smiles, snuggles, and cake crumbs.

Want to use this backdrop at your session, or have another one in mind? Contact me today and let’s get started planning!