SMASH CAKES
The Sweetest Way to Celebrate Your Baby Turning One
One year old. Can you even believe it?
A first birthday smash cake session is honestly one of my favorite things to photograph. There's nothing quite like watching a baby go from cautiously poking at their cake to having frosting in their eyebrows and the biggest grin you've ever seen. Every single reaction is pure gold — the curiosity, the delight, the occasional "wait, am I allowed to do this?" look at mom and dad.
I've been photographing babies and small children for nearly 20 years, and I can tell you: one-year-olds are their own special kind of wonderful. They're funny, unpredictable, and completely themselves. My job is just to be ready when the magic happens.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT AT YOUR SESSION
Everything is taken care of so you can just show up and enjoy it. I provide the cake, backdrop, and props — all coordinated to your chosen theme. We'll do a quick planning call beforehand to talk through what you have in mind, what I already have in the studio, and any special details you want to incorporate.
We typically wrap up with a splash in a mini tub bath, which almost always brings out the biggest smiles of the whole session. It's also a practical win — clean baby, happy parents.
If you'd like to include family portraits, we usually start there while everyone is fresh and your little one is still in a clean outfit. By the time we get to the cake, they've warmed up to me and the studio, which makes everything go smoother.
One-year-olds don't have a huge bandwidth for being "on," and I completely plan around that. Sessions are scheduled for up to an hour, but we rarely use all of it — the extra time is there as a buffer so your baby can ease in at their own pace, get comfortable with me, and be in the best possible mood before we even pick up the camera.
I've been working with little ones long enough to have a whole bag of tricks for keeping their attention and getting genuine expressions. (I'm not sharing my secrets, but they work.) The goal is always for your baby to have fun — the great photos are a natural result of that.
PRICING
A $100 session fee is due at booking to reserve your date. This covers my time, talent, and your personalized online gallery where you'll view and select your favorites.
The session fee applies to existing studio setups and themed backgrounds. If you're envisioning a custom theme or specialty props, a small additional fee may apply — but I'll always discuss that with you upfront. No surprises, ever.
Most families invest between $385–$745 for their digital image collection, depending on the package that fits their needs. All images come with full high-resolution downloads and a complete copyright release, so you're free to print, share, and treasure them however you like.
Professional hair and makeup for moms can also be added for a natural, polished look — just ask when you reach out.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I SCHEDULE MY CHILD'S SMASH CAKE SESSION?
Plan to reach out at least 4 weeks before your ideal session date. We need time to talk through your theme, source any props I don't already have, and order your custom decorated cake. Popular dates (especially weekends close to the actual birthday) fill up fast, so earlier is always better.
WHAT THEMES DO YOU HAVE FOR THE CAKE SMASH PHOTO SESSIONS?
Honestly — a lot. During our planning call we'll go through what I already have in the studio, look at inspiration together, and figure out what fits your vision and budget. Whether you're thinking classic, whimsical, seasonal, or something totally unique to your family, we'll find something that works.
HOW LONG WILL THE SESSION LAST?
I plan for up to an hour, but we rarely photograph the entire time. The buffer allows your baby to adjust to the studio and warm up to me before we start — which makes a huge difference in how relaxed and happy they are on camera. If we get everything we need in 30 minutes, great. There's no rushing.
Can siblings or the whole family be included?
Absolutely. Family photos are a wonderful addition to a smash cake session. We typically start with those while your little one is clean and everyone is fresh, then transition into the cake smash portion. It makes for a really complete gallery that tells the whole first birthday story.
What should my baby wear?
For the cake smash portion, something cute but not precious — it will get messy! A simple birthday outfit, a onesie, or even just a diaper with a birthday crown works great. Bring a change of clothes for the baby and you're all set.