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!

Welcome to my (extensive) list of available backdrops and previous cake smash setups!

Keep in mind that while many of these are showing a cake to go with the backdrop, all cakes can be changed to match your vision. Not seeing one you love? Scroll all the way down to the bottom to check out my list of backdrop suppliers. I am happy to order a new backdrop for your session, I just ask that you give me a full month’s notice so that I can make sure I have enough time for ordering and shipping to Alaska.

I don’t think it’s a secret, but I love cake smashes. I love the elaborate themes, I love designing something specifically for your family and for you to see your vision come to life. One of my very favorite moments in my studio is when families come in and see their cake smash session setup for the first time.

As much as I love the process of choosing and designing an elaborate theme for cake smashes, I have a special place in my heart for the simple cake smashes. Just a baby and a cake, and maybe some balloons… I love the focus to be solely on baby and the cuteness of them enjoying their very first (and possibly only) cake all to themselves. Those simple, classic pictures will easily stay on your walls forever.

Just a reminder that it does not have to only be once in your life, I can do cake smashes at literally any age. 😉 Let’s celebrate!

Mom wanted simple, with baby boy in overalls for his cake smash, and I’m in love with the vision. To finish the vision, we brought in a matching cake from the incredible Sabrina Bakes. Little man had so much fun, but I think the adults in the room had way more fun watching the show!

“P” Cake Smash!

As a cake smash photographer, I love themed cake smashes and the ability to choose a theme that matches yours or your baby’s interests at the time, something meaningful to you, or just something adorable. But the balloon arch cake smashes will always have my heart. Simple, festive, and will always go with everything in your home! Although I feel like I’ve developed a very small fear of balloons after blowing up a zillion balloons and having at least one pop unexpectedly in my face while making every balloon arch, I cannot deny the happiness of a background of balloons.

If I’m given enough time to make sure your balloons will arrive in time for your session, I am always going to order from Pop Fest Co. As a person who has handled a lot of balloons, you cannot beat their quality and the ability to choose literally any color (they have double stuffed balloons down to a science to make sure your colors are perfect). And as always, I will forever add twinkle lights to any balloon arch/background.

Gorgeous cake is from Sabrina Bakes. She makes the best smash cakes, super messy and beautiful. We finished our session with a bath in my tiny baby bathtub.

Such a happy baby and a fun cake smash!

I love a balloon garland for cake smashes! We had so much fun with this sweet girl in for her one year cake smash, with a perfect cake from Sabrina Bakes.

Join the party and book your one year cake smash!

I don’t even want to tell you how long it has been since this has been sitting in my “to blog” folder but I guess better late than never, amirite?

We did a football cake smash for this happy little guy, with an adorable cake from Sabrina Bakes, and a backdrop from Fancy Fabric and Props.

“H” Cake Smash!