THE CAKE SMASH SESSION
A joyful, thoughtfully styled cake smash experience designed to celebrate your baby’s first birthday with timeless images and genuine moments.
The Cake Smash Experience
A Fun, Baby-Led Celebration
From the initial planning to the final gallery delivery, every detail of the Cake Smash Experience is designed to feel fun, relaxed, and stress-free for both babies and parents.
Sessions are paced gently, allowing your little one time to explore, play, and enjoy the moment at their own pace. Whether they dive right in or take a little warming up, every reaction is part of the story.
What is Included
While we offer multiple cake smash packages to fit different needs, every Cake Smash Experience includes:
- Cake smash studio session
- Clean, timeless portraits before the cake
- Baby-led cake smash moments captured naturally
- Personalized planning & prep guide
- Styling guidance for outfits and colors
- Fully hand-edited, high-resolution images
- Print release for personal use
- Social media–ready photo collage to share your milestone
Plus:
A calm, guided experience designed to keep your baby comfortable, happy, and never overwhelmed—so you can and enjoy the moment.
Multiple package options are available to fit your family’s needs.
Optional Add-Ons
Personalize your Cake Smash Experience with a selection of thoughtfully curated add-ons. Each option is designed to enhance your session while keeping the experience calm, joyful, and baby-led.
Family Portraits
Timeless portraits with parents and siblings before the cake smash.

Themed Cake
A custom cake styled to complement your session’s color palette and overall aesthetic.
Splash (Bubble Bath)
A fun bubble bath at the end of the session—perfect for clean-up and capturing sweet, playful moments.
Add-ons are completely optional and can be selected during the booking.
How It Works
Your session begins with clean, simple portraits before introducing the cake. I’ll guide the flow while letting your baby lead—capturing curiosity, laughter, messy hands, and all the sweet in-between moments that make this milestone so special.
Sessions are designed to be easy, joyful, and pressure-free.
Styling & Details
You’ll receive a prep guide with outfit suggestions, color recommendations, and tips to help everything feel cohesive and timeless.
Neutral tones are always a beautiful choice for cake smash sessions. Soft creams, beiges, whites, and gentle pastels photograph timelessly and keep the focus on your baby’s sweet expressions and little details.
That said, coordinating an outfit with your chosen theme can be so fun and really elevate the final look. A thoughtfully matched outfit adds personality and helps everything feel intentional and cohesive.
For example, an ice cream–themed cake smash pairs perfectly with an ice cream–inspired outfit or soft pastel colors—think blush, mint, lavender, or light blue. These tones complement the setup without overpowering it and photograph beautifully on camera.
To make planning even easier, I offer a client closet with carefully selected outfits for specific themes. Availability varies by theme and size, and it’s a wonderful option for parents who want a cohesive look without the stress of shopping.
When Should You Schedule?
Cake smash sessions are flexible and can be scheduled anytime between 11 and 15 months, depending on your baby’s personality and how you’d like to celebrate this milestone.
If you’d like to have your images ready before a birthday party or celebration, we recommend scheduling your session at least two weeks in advance. This allows enough time for careful editing and gallery delivery.
Some families choose to schedule their cake smash right on their baby’s actual birthday as a fun and meaningful way to celebrate the day—this is always welcome, as long as timing works with availability.
No matter when you choose to schedule, we’ll plan your session thoughtfully to ensure a relaxed, joyful experience and timeless images you’ll treasure.
Albums & Printed Artwork
Photographs are meant to be experienced, not just stored. Albums and printed artwork give your images a lasting presence — something you can revisit, share, and pass down over time.
An album preserves the full story of your session, while printed pieces allow your images to live beautifully in your home rather than on a screen. For families who wish to add prints or artwork, these options are available following your session.
Studio vs. Outdoor Cake Smash Sessions
Which Is Right for You?
1. Choose Your Date
Select your preferred session date through my online booking system. If you’re planning around a birthday party, I recommend booking at least two weeks in advance for timely image delivery.
2. Plan the Details
After booking, you’ll receive a personalized planning & prep guide. We’ll finalize colors, outfits, props, and any optional add-ons like a themed cake, splash bath, or family portraits.
4. Session Day
Your session begins with clean portraits, followed by the cake smash at your baby’s pace.
5. Gallery Delivery
You’ll receive a beautifully hand-edited, high-resolution online gallery, ready to download, share, and print.
The Cake Smash Booking Process
Your Experience, Simplified
Book
Secure your session date through a simple online booking.
Plan
Choose the backdrop, outfits and cake
Photograph
Simply arrive and be present — I’ll guide you through a natural, beautifully paced session.
Cherish
Receive a private gallery of hand-edited images, ready to download, share, and treasure.
Studio Cake Smash
Studio sessions offer a calm, controlled environment—perfect for babies. With consistent lighting, clean backdrops, and curated styling, the focus stays on your baby’s expressions and the joy of the moment. Weather is never a concern, and everything is designed to keep your little one comfortable and happy.
Outdoor Cake Smash
Outdoor sessions provide a more natural, playful look and are best for families who love open spaces and seasonal scenery. These sessions are weather-dependent and can be more stimulating for some babies, but they offer a beautiful, lifestyle feel when conditions are just right.
Which Is Best?
For most families,
studio cake smash sessions are ideal—especially for first birthdays—because they’re predictable, stress-free, and baby-friendly. Outdoor sessions can be a wonderful option for older babies or families looking for a more adventurous, nature-inspired experience.
Ready to Create Something Timeless?
Cake Smash Session – FAQ
When should I book a cake smash session?
Cake smash sessions are best booked
2–3 months in advance, especially if you’re hoping to schedule close to your baby’s first birthday. This allows plenty of time for planning, styling, and availability.
When is the best time to schedule the session?
Cake smash sessions are scheduled
in the morning, when babies are typically happiest, well-rested, and most cooperative. This makes a huge difference in the overall experience and final images.
How long does a cake smash session last?
Sessions are designed to be
baby-led and relaxed, typically lasting around 30–60 minutes. This includes time for warm-up photos, the cake smash itself, and clean-up or bath photos if included.
What’s included in the session?
Your session includes personalized planning, one backdrop, the cake smash portion, and a beautifully edited gallery of high-resolution images.
Do you provide the cake?
The cake is available as an optional add-on. If you choose this option, I’ll order the cake directly from one of the trusted bakeries I work with and coordinate it to match your session’s theme and color palette.
Can we choose a theme or color palette?
Yes! I have a large inventory of backdrops and props, and you’ll be able to choose from a variety of available themes or color palettes. I’ll guide you through options that photograph beautifully and align with your vision.
If you’re interested in a custom setup, that is absolutely an option as well. Custom designs require additional planning and materials, and an additional fee will apply, which will be discussed based on the complexity of the setup.
What if my baby doesn’t want to smash the cake?
That’s completely normal! Some babies gently explore, some dive right in, and some need encouragement. I’ll guide your baby naturally and capture beautiful expressions no matter how they interact with the cake.
Can parents or siblings be included?
Yes! A parent add-on is available and includes a few simple portraits with parents and/or siblings using the same cake smash backdrop. This is not a full family session, but rather a small add-on to capture a few meaningful images together.
Neutral, soft tones are recommended to keep the focus on your baby and maintain a cohesive, timeless look.
Do you provide outfits?
Parents typically bring their baby’s outfits for the session. I do offer a
client closet with selected outfits for specific themes,
which may be used when available. Client closet availability is based on your baby’s size and the chosen theme.
You’re always welcome to bring your own outfit(s), and I’m happy to help guide you in choosing options that photograph beautifully.
Should we bring anything to the session?
Please bring wipes, a towel, a backup outfit, and anything your baby finds comforting. I’ll take care of everything else. The cake smash preparation guide will have all the details.
Is there a clean-up or bath portion?
Yes! A quick bath or clean-up portion is available as an
optional add-on. It adds a little extra time to the session and gives you
more adorable photos,
capturing those sweet, messy-to-clean moments. Many families love it—it’s playful, memorable, and ensures your baby leaves fresh and comfortable.
What if my baby is fussy or needs breaks?
That’s expected and completely okay. Sessions are flexible, and we’ll take breaks as needed for feeding, cuddles, or calming.
What happens if my baby gets sick or needs to reschedule?
If your baby isn’t feeling well, we’ll reschedule. Your baby’s comfort and safety always come first.
How and when will we receive our images?
You’ll receive a fully edited online gallery within the turnaround time outlined in your contract, ready to download, share, and print.
Do you offer albums or prints?
Yes! Custom albums and professional-quality prints are available and make beautiful keepsakes from this milestone.
