First Birthday Cake Smash Session: How to Get the Best One-Year Baby Photos
The First Birthday Cake Smash Portrait Session can be hit or miss. Every baby is so different, but a baby’s personality can really come through during a Cake Smash Session, which is so much fun to capture at this important milestone.
I do a lot of First Birthday Cake Smash Sessions at my Minneapolis baby portrait photography studio. Most of my clients love to include this as part of the one-year photoshoot. But don’t worry, mama. We save the cake smash at the end of the session, so your baby can get as messy as they want.
I include this as part of the session at no extra charge. I supply the backdrop, cake stand, balloons, and other decor. All I ask is for you to bring the baby and the cake. If you have a specific backdrop style you want for your baby’s one-year photos, I suggest booking your session at least a month in advance. That way, I have time to order a backdrop that matches your vision.
Not all cake smash photo sessions go as planned, though! While babies are totally unpredictable, especially at the one-year stage (hello, stranger danger!), below are some of my tips for making your baby’s first birthday cake smash session a success!
When Should I Schedule The First Birthday Cake Smash Session?
First off, reach out to me to get your session date on the calendar; a month in advance is ideal. That gives me time to order any special backdrops or props you want for your cake smash photos.
For the day of your session, try to time your session around your baby’s happiest time of day. It’s best to pick a time as early in the morning as possible without cutting into their eating and nap schedule.
Most of my baby photo sessions take place mid-morning, usually around 10 a.m. This is after the baby has woken for the day, but hasn’t taken their first nap yet.
If you’re looking forward to watching your baby dig in and eat the cake, bring them to the session a little bit hungry. Just give them a light snack to hold them over for the first 20 minutes of the session (reserved for family and sibling portraits).
Also, bring water for the baby to drink to wash down all that sugary goodness.
What If My Baby Is Teething?
If you suspect your baby is cutting any teeth (lots of drooling and fingers in the mouth), give your baby Tylenol or another pain med at least 30 minutes before the session. It typically takes 20-30 minutes for the medicine to kick in, and we want your baby to be as pain-free and comfortable as possible.
Should My Baby Try Cake Before the First Birthday Cake Smash Session?
Yes! Whether you bake the cake yourself or hire a professional baker to make the cake, test the cake out on your baby before the session.
Babies are possibly touching and tasting the cake/frosting for the first time. It’s not uncommon for the baby to have a texture aversion to the frosting. Frosting can feel slimy and gross to some babies, or sticky and fun to others!
So, test it out a few times so they know what they’ll be dealing with at the session.
What Size Cake and What Kind of Frosting Should the Cake Have?
A small, round, and white buttercream frosted cake works best for Cake Smash Photos. Buttercream frosting is easy for babies to dig into, and white frosting is much easier to clean. Colored frosting can stain and lead to a much bigger mess than expected.
I don’t recommend putting fondant decorations on the cake, but if you get fondant decorations for the cake, the smaller the better. Large fondant decorations can be a choking hazard!
What Should My Baby Wear for One-Year Cake Smash Portraits?
You can plan on stripping your baby down to just a diaper. If you plan to have a special outfit for your baby to wear and you want your baby to stay dressed, I recommend an outfit you won’t mind getting covered in frosting. Otherwise, a nakey baby in just a diaper works great. Bring a clean outfit for bringing the baby home in, as well.
How much cake should the baby eat at the Cake Smash Session?
Don’t let your baby go too far. The cake and frosting are very rich and super sweet. The last thing you want is to bring home a baby who is sick to its stomach.
We’ll capture plenty of images just by letting them dig in and take a few bites. But it might be best to reserve the rest of the cake for after they’ve eaten a meal at home.
How Do I Clean My Baby After the Cake Smash Portrait Session?
I keep wipes and paper towels at the studio, but you can plan to bring extra wipes and a bath towel.
In the bathroom at my studio, there’s the option of giving your baby a sink bath after the session. This will clean them up well enough for the car ride home.
At a park with a beach, there’s always the option of a lake bath.
If you choose a spot for the photos where water is inaccessible, bring many, many wipes.
Where Can I Get a Cake for a Cake Smash Session in the Minneapolis area?
Here are the places I recommend you get the cake for the cake smash session:
Here’s to a happy and fun first birthday cake smash session!
If you’re looking to book a First Birthday Cake Smash Portrait Session with Alicea Rose Photography, please reach out to me today! My calendar usually books about 6-8 weeks in advance. I take a limited number of sessions each month to ensure the timely delivery of your photos.
Before you go, read on for more tips and advice for your next baby photography session:
