First Birthday Cake Smash & Splash

How does it work?

  1. For scheduling and planning purposes, please book your cake smash session as far in advance as possible. Sessions must be scheduled at least two weeks before your desired date. Ideally, aim for a date about three weeks before their birthday to allow time for editing and returning the images in time for the celebration.
  2. Next, choose a theme for your cake smash! We'll discuss what theme you choose so that I can be sure to have any backdrops or decorations/props on hand before your session. I’ll create a studio setting tailored to your needs, including backdrops, banners, numbers, confetti, glitter curtains, cake stands, and more to set the perfect scene! If you have any specific ideas or themes in mind, let me know so we can collaborate and make it happen!
  3. Select an outfit (or two!) for your little one to wear. You will bring these with you to the session. Please send me a picture of the outfit(s) you choose so that I can ensure they match the scene!
  4. Decide whether you are going to make your own cake, or if you'd prefer to order one from a professional bakery. You are responsible for bringing the cake and ensuring it matches the theme. Feel free to send me pictures if you're unsure if it will match!

Do you have a water baby?


All cake smash sessions include complimentary bath photos* while we clean up your little one! Most babies absolutely love this part of the session - and we do, too! Sit back and enjoy watching them splash and play while I capture their sweet innocent nature, chubby rolls, and adorable smiles!

*For babies celebrating their first birthday only. Includes a small round white tub. Upgrade to our special clawfoot tub for just $20 more! Please be sure to select the clawfoot tub add-on at the time of booking.

Cake Smash & Splash Package

For babies turning one year old (BEST three weeks before birthday)
Basic decorations/themed backdrop included
Portraits, cake smash, and bath images included
10 digital images


$275 (Cake not provided)

  • For themed sessions with a specific backdrop (lumberjack, farm, princess, characters, floral, etc.), please let us know well in advance. We have an extensive backdrop collection, but there may be an additional charge for a backdrop or props that go with your theme. Please keep in mind that it takes several weeks to receive a new backdrop order and plan accordingly.
  • You are responsible for ordering and picking up the smash cake from a professional bakery or providing a home-made cake. Please avoid chocolate cake and avoid fondant decorations (these can pose as a choking hazard). Whipped frosting in light colors works best with light cake colors. Please make sure that no toothpicks or other structural items are placed inside the cake (sometimes babies put their face in the cake head-first!). Please avoid lining the base plate with tin foil. A plain white plate or light colors matching your session work best - please mention this to the bakery when ordering your cake. Please keep in mind that colored frosting may stain!

Please note: family portraits are not included in the cake smash sessions due to the small size of the scenes. If you would like family portraits, please book a separate family session.

Tips for a Successful Cake Smash

Can the whole family attend?

If you'd like to bring someone else along, just let me know. I understand how much your little one loves grandma and older siblings, but we really want your baby to focus their attention towards the camera. Bringing a lot of extra family members to the shoot might distract your little one and affect the quality of the photos, so the fewer distractions, the better the results!

Low expectations = better results!

Be prepared for the possibility that your baby might not be interested in the cake, and that's perfectly okay! I’m confident we’ll still capture some wonderful moments of your baby enjoying their cake. Some babies can be wary of the cake, and it’s understandable—new environment, lots of attention, and a cake they might not usually get to play with can be overwhelming.

Cake smashes can be MESSY!

Get ready for some mess! Some babies absolutely love cake, which can lead to the most delightful—but also messiest—photos. If you have plans after the shoot, it’s a good idea to bring an extra set of clothes for both you and your baby.

Cake recommendations

My advice? Keep it simple. Professional bakers often use fondant, which can be tough for babies to break into and doesn’t taste great. Instead, opt for cakes with soft frosting and whipped cream. From my experience, sugary and butter cakes aren’t as popular with kids. Whipped cream cakes are much better—they’re easy to smash and make for the most fun, messy photos.

My baby is sick - what do I do?!

I understand how much effort and planning you put into preparing for this session, only to have your little one get sick. It’s tempting to push through, but from experience, if your baby isn’t feeling well, the session often results in photos of a crying baby.

Our advice? Reschedule. The photos don’t need to be taken on the exact day; a few days before or after the birthday won’t make a difference. I don’t charge a rescheduling fee because I know things don’t always go as planned. As a mom myself, I get that you can’t predict every day. If your baby has had a cold, fever, is teething, or has been given antibiotics or Tylenol in the past 24 hours, it’s best to reschedule. Similarly, if anyone in your household is sick or has been in contact with someone who is unwell, please reschedule.